“It’s been a whirlwind,” says Sparlay Rawail of Khumariyaan, speaking from Lebanon, New Hampshire, in the middle of what he describes as a transformative journey across the United States.
“In 2014, we had the opportunity to take part in a programme called Center Stage,” he recalls. “This year, they’re doing their eighth and final edition, and for that, they brought back some of the alumni — we were honoured to be among them.”
The current tour spans 35 days and includes performances at festivals, colleges, and community events across the US, all with a clear mission: to introduce American audiences — particularly the art-loving and open-minded — to the music and culture of Pakistan. But it’s not just about cultural exchange in one direction. “It’s also for us to take these experiences back home,” Sparlay explains, “to share our stories with communities in Pakistan — the way Americans have welcomed us, how curious and respectful they’ve been.”
So far, the band has performed in Albuquerque and Santa Fe, New Mexico (“absolutely fantastic”), followed by four high-energy sets at the Montana Folk Festival, where they were declared “Best in Show” by Montana Public Radio. “That reel I sent you? It’s from Montana,” he adds. “It’s gone viral — almost 600,000 views and rising every hour.”
Other stops on the tour have included Gainesville, Florida; Chicago, where they played the South Asia Society show; and Providence, Rhode Island, where they drew a large and enthusiastic Pakistani crowd. “We’ve done two shows here in Lebanon, New Hampshire, and next we head to Norwalk, Connecticut, then New York City, and finally Baltimore before wrapping up around August this week’s end.”
Reflecting on the tour, Sparlay, the chosen spokesperson for the band (and by the band) describes the experience as eye-opening. “We keep hearing that America is deeply polarised these days, but the people we’ve met — the crowds we’ve played for — have been incredible. The response has been overwhelmingly positive. Truly amazing.”
“And don’t just take my word for it,” he laughs. “Check out the comments and shares on our Reels. The reaction speaks for itself.” -Maheen Sabeeh
-Photos by Diego Bucio
Providence, Rhode Island
“It was our first time performing here, in a venue built back in 1896 — once an old casino. A massive thunderstorm rolled in just before the show, but it cleared in time for a packed house. Many Pakistanis turned up, some kissing our foreheads after the performance to show how much it meant to them. The Lieutenant Governor presented us with a citation as well.”
Gainesville, Florida
“Our Florida debut was an unplugged lecture-demonstration at the University of Florida, led by Brian Jose — a special performance for donors, well-wishers, and students. It was our first time in the state, playing to an entirely American audience. Later, we performed at the Season Premiere of the arts programme, where the show was such a success that patrons asked for us to be invited back the following year.”
Chicago
“In Chicago, we performed for the South Asia Society, run by a warm and welcoming Pakistani couple. The venue, renowned for hosting artistic royalty, was packed with a lively mix of Pakistani and American audiences. They had never seen a Khumariyaan show before — the kind where the crowd joins in until it turns into a full-on party.”
The Montana Folk Festival
“At the Montana Folk Festival, with our tour manager Diego Bucio — now an honorary Pashtun — we played four shows over three days. Montana Public Radio declared Khumariyaan the pick of the festival, and the blockbuster sets made us overnight celebrities in Butte, the host town. There was dancing, chanting, and enough memories to last a lifetime.”
Albuquerque, New Mexico
“Albuquerque welcomed us with a sold-out crowd made up mostly of foreign guests, with a few South Asians in the mix. Many Americans told us afterwards that it had been a transcendent experience. By the end of the show, the chairs had been pushed aside, and the entire audience was dancing and jumping — something they said had never happened at that venue before.”
Cornish, New Hampshire
“In Cornish, we performed at Saint Gaudens’ — the home museum of the celebrated sculptor — for an all-American audience of donors and arts patrons. Surrounded by paintings and sculptures, it felt almost surreal. As with every show on this tour, the performance ended in dancing and unrestrained joy.”
Butte, Montana
“In Butte, Montana — once home to the largest copper mine in the world — we soaked in the history of the three copper kings. Once one of the great financial centres of the world, Butte now uses its old mining shafts as concert venues, and we were lucky enough to play in one.”
Barnard, Vermont
“In Barnard, Vermont, we played the BarnArts’ Feast and Field music series — a beautiful open-air venue in Bernie Sanders’ home state. The American audience was warm, welcoming, and full of energy, making it one of the most memorable nights of the tour.”
New York City
“Our New York City stop took us to the Jalopy Theatre — a down-and-dirty, cramped, sold-out space where half the audience was Pashtuns and a few had even travelled from Gilgit. Marginalised ethnicities gravitated to the show, and from the first song, the room was alive with dancing and our renditions of classic folk songs.”