Beyond this teaser, here’s what we can tell you: the full-length TVC will feature Aslam, Shafi and Khan as they present a mash-up of Alamgir’s ‘Dekha Na Tha’ and the Vital Signs’ timeless track, ‘Do Pal Ka Ye Jeevan Hai’ with VS member Shahi Hasan playing guitar in this concoction. Both VS and Alamgir are pioneers of pop music so the tribute certainly has merit. Faisal Rafi is attached to the project as producer while Ahsan Bari is also on the technical team.
Pepsi Battle of the Bands officially announces comeback with a short teaser.
If the first half of the year was dominated by eclectic and alternative music vibes, courtesy of projects like Patari Tabeer, Zohaib Kazi’s on-going Fanoos, Hadiqa Kiani’s transcendental Wajd and artists like ESharp, Eridu, Nawksh, Slowspin, Asfandyar Khan/ TMPST, Gentle Robot, Shajie Hassan, Janoobi Khargosh, Forever South collective, Sounds of Kolachi, Ali Suhail, the collective of musicians who made up the Chalay Thay Saath original soundtrack, the second half of the year looks even more promising as two massive music shows gear up to stage their respective returns next month.
Our story begins with Pepsi Battle of the Bands that was announced earlier this year and after months of speculation, is finally ready to make an entry (and a grand one at that) into our consciousness.
In the lead up to its return, a 25 seconds long teaser has been released in which one can spot Atif Aslam most prominently. He’s drinking Pepsi while a fancy sports car spins in a circle, a group of youngsters supporting instruments merrily. The sound backing this imagery is of a thumping beat laced with the echoes of a chanting crowd. A guitar riff makes itself audible as we hit 18 seconds and Atif’s soaring vocals remind you that he’s still got it; the teaser ends with Fawad Khan stepping out of the fancy car mentioned above. Though elaborate, one is hard-pressed to find Meesha Shafi whose appearance is cloaked by white curtains and shadows. Also, the car spin, to me, feels out of place and somewhat gimmicky. What does a car have to do with a music competition? Is it a sign of glamour?
Beyond this teaser, here’s what we can tell you: the full-length TVC will feature Aslam, Shafi and Khan as they present a mash-up of Alamgir’s ‘Dekha Na Tha’ and the Vital Signs’ timeless track, ‘Do Pal Ka Ye Jeevan Hai’ with VS member Shahi Hasan playing guitar in this concoction. Both VS and Alamgir are pioneers of pop music so the tribute certainly has merit. Faisal Rafi is attached to the project as producer while Ahsan Bari is also on the technical team.
Furthermore, while Fawad Khan and Meesha Shafi will be on the jury with eight bands competing for glory, it is unclear what role Atif Aslam will play in this edition of BOB. Reports also suggest that Aaroh front-man Farooq Ahmed will also be a juror on the show. Given the fact that his music group Aaroh picked up the crown during the inaugural edition of Pepsi Battle of the Bands, his presence makes a lot of sense.
While most people seem excited about the prospect of Fawad Khan’s return to music, the irony is that all three superstars left their own respective bands to pursue a solo career for one reason or another. While Atif Aslam and Meesha Shafi never disowned music and continue to remain active, Khan left behind the rocking ways of his claim-to-fame band EP (that found fame during the inaugural edition of Pepsi Battle of the Bands) opting for a lucrative film career instead and one wonders whether this return to music is for the sake of music or lack of options as working in Bollywood is no longer a possibility for the prolific Khan as it was two years ago.
In the end though, these questions won’t matter to most because it’s the collective presence and star power of Fawad Khan, Atif Aslam and Meesha Shafi that has already elevated Pepsi Battle of the Bands to another level of curiosity; their involvement means that the show won’t fade into oblivion.
With Coke Studio 10 on the horizon and threatening to unveil itself almost around the same time as BOB, music fans certainly have a lot to look forward to.
Who will ultimately prevail? Time will tell.
