Celebrating cultural diversity, two-day event will feature performances from the likes of Sajjad Ali, Bilal Khan, SomeWhatSuper and many more.
Face Music Mela, one of the coolest music festivals to emerge out of Islamabad and spearheaded by Zeejah Fazli, is all set to return with its fifth edition later this month. Organised by Foundation for Arts, Culture and Education (FACE) in association with the US Embassy in Islamabad, the upcoming two-day event is scheduled to take place on March 24 and 25. And now that the performance lineup has been unveiled, it has to be said that it has something for everyone.
On day one, artists who will take the stage include Ejaz Sarhadi, Wild Mangoes, Sargam K Khiladi, Roots, Modou (Franco-Senegalese), Maria Ruminska, Kamil Roginski and Imran Aziz (Poland - Pakistan), Irfan Ali Taj & Zoe Viccaji, Aaroh, DJ Awan, SomeWhatSuper and DJ Roxx Remora (UK).
On day two, the performance bill includes artists such as Lahu, Quadrum, Wisdom Salad, Kalasha Dance, Ammar Farooki, Rocklite (tribute to Junaid Jamshed), Takatak, Bakshi Brothers, Mary Mcbride (USA), Bilal Khan, Chakwal Party and Sajjad Ali.
Collectively, these artists represent the many genres and traditions of music including pop, folk, regional, indie, international and much more. The annual event is a celebration of “cultural diversity in general and music in particular”. Apart from performances, the event also features “dance, theatre, film screenings and artisanal products from across Pakistan”.
This year’s event, like previous years, will feature local and international artists and will also screen the PSL final, which is scheduled to take place on March 25. While the Pakistan National Council of the Arts will serve as the venue once more, Face Music Mela 2018 comes with a cause.
“Through FACE Mela platform we will be highlighting sexual harassment as one of the major problems that the country is facing. We would like each one of you to stand with us against this issue,” noted the official social media page for the event.
Given the current climate in the country and the birth of Mein Bhi movement, which addresses humanitarian issues in general and child sexual abuse in particular and has the endorsement of several celebrities, it is good to see other platforms taking up social causes and sexual harassment is a pertinent issue.
Last year’s edition is ample proof that Face Music Mela is growing with every event. The 2017 edition, for instance, showcased performances from artists such as Call the band, Attaullah Khan Esakhelvi, Saeen Tanveer, Azal (the band), Rap Engineers, The Canvas, Sattar Jogi, Iqbal Baloch, Qawalistan, Sibti and The Retrosexuals, Mai Dhai, Uzair Jaswal, Natasha Baig and Sikandar Ka Mandar (among others).
It also featured panel discussions on issues such as the future of music in Pakistan with the likes of Ali Noor and Haroon serving as moderators. Aziz Mian Qawwal conducted a session on the history of qawwali; Allan Smith conducted drum circle/drum clinic workshop and Amna Mawaz Khan conducted a session on dance. Amna Mawaz Khan and Imran Nafees also paid tribute to the late Mashal Khan while musical theatre was presented by Aziz Sohail and Imran Nafees as well. Given this round-up, our hope is that the upcoming edition will be bigger, better and just as thoughtful in design if not more.
