Overload treats fans with a surprise performance in Islamabad

Live music performances are always an interesting feature on one’s social calendar but just imagine how exciting a surprise performance would be. Sunday was Islamabad’s day to experience that as passersby at the Kohsar Market got a surprise visit from Overload and were subsequently treated with a 20-minute live set of their signature Drum & Dhol beats.

The performance that was facilitated by the Islamabad based NGO ‘Foundation for Arts, Culture & Education’ (FACE) naturally attracted a considerable crowd as people stopped by to catch a glimpse of the band’s energetic performance. On doing such an unscripted, unplanned performance, the band’s front man Farhad Humayun said in a presser, “There is no public space for music anymore – and what little there was, is constantly shrinking. We decided to do an impromptu performance just to lift spirits and bring a little joy to a sedate Islamabad where we have a big fan base.”

“The only way to play music in Pakistan is to take it to the people and that’s what we did at the risk of being charged for disrupting the status quo,” he added in the statement. “Overload believes it is important to remember that public assemblies can be joyous and liberating. They do not necessarily have to reflect anger or violence, which is why we did this without a sponsor or funding. This is not a campaign for anything. It’s what we as artists, and responsible and peaceful citizens of Pakistan, believe in.”

The band has been in the news recently for declining offers by two Bollywood films wanting to use their song ‘Neray Aah’. However, more interesting is Farhad’s latest role as producer for Shaan’s next Arth 2. The singer was recently snapped with the legendary Shaan while recording music at Riot Studios.