LAHORE: Despite the spiralling film industry and with no major live concerts taking place, music in Pakistan is making a comeback, with lot of new ideas being introduced in the industry. With projects like Coke Studio, Guitar School in Lahore and Uth Records the music scene is gradually picking momentum — many musicians are getting offers from abroad to showcase their talent in the absence of major international concerts in Pakistan.
And now, musicians and music fans have yet another platform to congregate —the LUMS Music Festival, taking place at Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) on March 4 and 5. The festival is the first of its kind being, is set to feature various music panel discussions/conferences, workshops, a concert, a battle of the bands and an open house where young musicians will speak directly to the seasoned stars of the music industry. People like Ali Azmat, Farhad Humayun of Overload, guitarist Omraan Shafique [Mauj], and Salman Ahmad are likely to be at the different events that will continue for two days.
An official of LUMS Music Society, which is organising the event, shared with The Express Tribune that the festival will be first of its kind at LUMS and will serve as a platform for young musicians to learn and project their skill and talent.
Sharing the details of the festival he said that panel discussions and conferences will be attended by the artists, critics, academics and musicians from across the country, adding that everything related to music would be discussed. The discussions will be held on both days of the festival.
Workshops will be held on playing various instruments, song writing, and music production. “Two people from National College of Arts will hold workshops on tabla and sitar. Salman Ahmad is likely to conduct the workshop on song writing, Ali Azmat will hold a workshop on vocals while Farhad Humayun will conduct a workshop on music production. Omraan Shafique will conduct a workshop on focused on how to play the drums and guitar. The schedule of these workshops is tentative so there can be last minute changes,” he added.
The possible highlight of the festival will be an event named Battle of the Bands in which underground bands and bands from different education institutions will perform. Ali Azmat will moderate the show while the bands will be free to present their original songs. “Anybody who has a band can participate in it. All one has to do is to email us to get registered and send a promo of the band’s performance. The short-listed bands will be invited to open for Ali Azmat at our Grand Finale on the last day of the festival,” LUMS Music Society officials said.
“The event will bring seasoned and young musicians under one roof and they will discuss everything about music other than practically demonstrating their skills. We hope this is going to be wonderful and then we can continue the practice of doing such festivals,” Music Society people maintained.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 3rd, 2011.
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