5 highlights from this year's 'Battle of the Bands'

Originals by the young acts ruled the game as the likes of Shahi Hasan, Meesha Shafi and Fawad Khan failed to add much

There's finally a show that caters to original music, said RJ-turned-actor Ali Safina in a recent TV interview. And while a lack of innovation remains a major concern for this season of Battle of the Bands, even the harshest critics would agree with Safina.

Perhaps the biggest achievement of season four has been the seamlessness with which the producers have managed to repurpose the show as a vessel for original music, rather than just a talent hunt.

The grand finale aired last weekend in which Karachi-based Auj was crowned the winner, getting an album contract and Rs5 million in cash prize. All the judges and the show's producer (Shahi Hasan) also performed in the grand finale but even Strings, Meesha Shafi, Fawad Khan, Shahi featuring Fareed Ayaz and Abu Mohammad combined couldn't leave an impact.

Yes, they tried hard, particularly Shahi with yet another spin on the Kabir bhajan Jaag Musafir but it seemed more of the same, with a touch of rap, all badly synced to a video, in a show that is all about live music. Let that sink in.

PHOTO: FILE

That, however, didn't take away from Aarish, Auj, Black Hour and a plethora of other bands who showcased their original music and gave us a chance to add something new to our Pakistani catalogue. Otherwise, the bigger fizzy fish had made sure our playlists didn't evolve beyond the hippie-cool retake of Radio Pakistan featuring EMI Pakistan mixtape.

Here are some moments that stayed with us:

1) NFAK and electronic music

It was interesting to see the show being formatted in a way that you build up to a Nusrat cover and electronic music. The task was to incorporate the turn tables in a Nusrat song and that served as a fine challenge to judge the competency of bands and their vision. Halka Halka Suroor with a little bit of that techno touch by Aarish was a winner. But they will be the only ones to blame in case they are invited to perform at an A Levels Eid Milan party. Yes, that's quite possible.

2) Families at the farewell performance

Music is not just looked down upon in Pakistan; it is despised as a profession. Although things have changed after parents, children alike have noticed the power and recognition that comes with a viral video, even then Pakistan as a nation needs to be consistently reminded that song and dance has always been a part of our culture. What better way to do that then to make the bands' loved ones witness their final performances on stage and hear from the judges how incredible they have been?

3) Auj's rags to riches story

Pause everything and go watch Auj's incredible journey through the show. That by no means is an attempt to undermine Aarish, that has had its own fair share of struggles. But Auj's story is one of belief, possibility and magic.

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The band's vocalist Abdul Rehman couldn't contain his tears when he recalled how he lied to his parents about his academic progress and how his father had to bare the taunts of their relatives who would sing praises of their own children studying at reputable institutions, while Rehman was just wandering the sets of singing competitions. All that gimmickry and hard work eventually paid off for his 'not-so-well-to-do' family when people started recognising him in public spaces.

PHOTO: FILE

4) Ali Safina was much needed

With a long association with the music industry, Safina was a great addition to the show. Not only does he have a natural flare for understanding music and turning that into words but he also has great camera presence. While Hina Altaf is a newcomer who will evolve given more time and exposure, Safina breathed a new life into the show which would decimate as soon as Ayesha Omar's great wardrobe or Ahmed Ali Butt's dad jokes took over.

5) E Sharp's cover of 'Neend Aati Nahin'

We have said it before and we say it again: E Sharp is an amazing cover band. They know their Beatles and they know their pop-Junoon even better.

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