Pak-US ties: ‘Exchange of musicians will improve understanding of cultures’

‘Audience response has encouraged us to arrange more events in future’.

FAISALABAD: An increase in exchange visits by musicians can help improve Pakistani and American peoples’ understanding of each other, US Consulate Lahore employee Tahira Habib said on Thursday.

She was speaking at a rock music concert by New York City-based band Blood Moon Therapy at Faisalabad Arts Council. The band is on a two-week tour arranged by the US Consulate in Pakistan.

“Most Pakistanis and Americans form opinions about each other on the basis of stereotypes. There is a lack of understanding of each other’s culture,” she said. FAC Assistant Director Khadija Munir said the concert was arranged to improve understanding of the US society and its culture.

US Consulate Public Relations Officer Brinille Eliance Ellis said the response of the audience was very encouraging. “This has encouraged us to arrange more cultural events in days to come,” the PRO said.

Some of the audience said they would like to listen to more rock music produced by Pakistani musicians.

Firdous Naz, a housewife, said she had come to attend the concert with her husband and an eight-year-old son. “Classical music seems to have gone out of fashion,” she said, adding that rock and pop music was popular among teenagers alone. “I have lately developed a liking for rock music,” she said. She said Pakistani musicians should perform more rock songs. Khurram, 35, said it was the first time he had attended a rock music concert. “I haven’t ever listened to this type of music. I liked the way the band members engaged with the audience during the performance,” he said.

He regretted that there were not enough institutions in Pakistan for people interesting in learning about rock music.