When Pepsi and Salt Arts partnered for a Pakistan tour featuring Xarb, Tamaasha and I.F.R.A, which was scheduled to begin from Faisalabad earlier this month, we were thrilled to see the aesthetic and thoughtful Salt Arts collaborate with the corporate giant. The reason: the gigs provide a platform to both emerging bands and music fans a chance to hear them live and Salt Arts has a knack of putting its own spin on every show it does or is associated with.
But just as music group Kashmir delayed their music video, the Pepsi Tour too was delayed. Now, as things in the country begin to simmer down somewhat, the tour is back on. While the Faisalabad gig has been postponed with new dates to be announced soon, the tour will now begin from Islamabad.
Scheduled to take place at Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on November 10, the gig will feature bands from Pepsi Battle of the Bands such as Xarb, Bayaan (the top two acts from this year’s season) as well as other acts like Déja Vu, Tamaasha and Jasim and the Pindi Boys. Tickets are available through bookitnow.pk and the show will begin at 8:00 pm.
While the Pepsi tour will entertain the capital, this weekend seems to be a happening one for music. For one thing, the electronic music producer Talal Qureshi, who is also a member of SNKM (with Adil Omar), is performing at True Brew Records – aptly titled Live at True Brew. The gig will also feature sets from hugely talented artists like Abdullah Siddiqui and Rutaba Yaqub. If in Lahore, this is the gig to be at because these are artists who represent the present and future of music.
