The perfect fusion of music and socio-politics

Strings headlines concert in capital, electrifying the crowd.

ISLAMABAD:

Internationally acclaimed pop-rock band Strings showed why they are at the cutting-edge of fusion music in Pakistan during their performance in Islamabad on Monday.

Under a moonlit sky, thousands of the twin cities’ music lovers came together to soak in the experience of musical confluence that was their concert, sponsored by Colgate Pakistan. Faisal Kapadia and Bilal Maqsood played a variety of songs for the duration covering every genre from Sufi to dance-friendly numbers, spanning from fusion rock, Indian percussion (tabla, pakhawaj and banghra dhol), reggae and Sufi vocals. Instrumental fusions of bass, drums, keyboards and percussion (tabla, darbuka and dhol) lent the vocals energetic support. The synergy when the audience and band sang together electrified the already stimulating atmosphere. As the band sang “Yahaan Koi Aanewaala Hai”, the connection was instant and Kapadia, overwhelmed by the response, said that Islamabad’s citizens and weather were perfect for music. Strings also performed the socio-political anthem “Main Tou Dekhoonga”, which fits the country’s current mood perfectly.

“There must have been at least 2,000 people in the audience,” said event organiser Ardeshir Ferozabaddi, adding that Strings was chosen as the headlining band not only because they were commercially successful, but their involvement in social issues.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 21^st, 2012.