Karachi celebrates Independence Day eve live with Strings

Veteran band came on to the stage as the crowd roared in delight

KARACHI: What better way to celebrate Independence Day eve than with live music! ‘Pakistan Sing with Strings’ concert brought the iconic Pakistani band Strings to celebrate the night with Karachiites on August 13.

Early on, the night was slow as people started gathering in low numbers. With time, the Global Marquees open-air section was crowded with patriots in green and white and many other colours. The lights shone brighter this night as everyone anticipated the midnight fireworks.

PHOTO: THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Singer Raafay Israr opened the show with a sentimental yet energetic Junoon number Jazba Junoon to attract the crowd’s attention. It served as a perfect shot of a musical energy drink and woke the crowd up. He followed it up with his widely-appreciated original Sajni, Dil dil Pakistan, Kailash Kher’s Teri Dewani and ended with the all-time favourite Dhamaal.

His lively vocals and power-packed performance served as a good opener before the main event. Mawra Hocane and Kubra Khan followed it up with the promotion of their upcoming Eid release Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2. The Karachi crowd gave them a hard time and wouldn’t even let them play the title song of the film, as they chanted for Strings to perform.

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The two actors struggled to keep the crowd engaged, and ended up distributing free t-shirts to keep them from creating a ruckus. They then briefly spoke about the film, urging the audience to go and watch it. Khan sold them the same old “support Pakistani cinema” argument, which didn’t do its job of exciting the people. Of course, the long wait also had much to do with the crowd’s frustration and disinterest.

PHOTO: THE EXPRESS TRIBUNE

Then, it was the main event time. Strings came on to the stage as the crowd roared in delight. The band entertained the heavily-invested audience with some of their biggest hits including Na Janay Kyun, Main Tou Dekhoonga, Chaye Chaye, Anjane, Mera Bichraa Yaar and Zinda. They also performed Urr Jaoon and Sajni from their latest album, 30 which celebrated three decades of the band’s journey.

Some sound issues slightly compromised the experience, but Strings’ energy overcame it easily. The veteran band carried the crowd in the palm of their hands. As the clock struck midnight, they wished everyone a happy independence day as the pyrotechnics erupted. That was just a typical Independence Day celebration in Karachi.

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