Indie bands, stalwarts set the stage alight

Karachi
One could see the brilliant flashing lights and hear the roaring rock music playing below the Native Jetty Bridge as audiences made their way to Port Grand for the I Am Karachi Music Festival on Saturday evening.
It was the first day of the two-day mega event featuring a star-studded as well as young underground line-up. The event was hosted by actress/model Rubya Chaudary.
Janoobi Khargosh, a young Indie Rock band kick started the show with an original that got many who were scattered around Port Grand to gather at the awesome stage. The band has released an album and is rather popular in the indie music scene.
When fusion band Opus took the stage, the atmosphere turned electric with lead guitarist Simien Xavier’s groovy guitar riffs and vocalist Nigel Bobby’s high notes that left the audience roaring in applause.
Drummer Jason Anthony for Opus told The News, “A platform of this magnitude is an extremely good opportunity for young and struggling musicians to showcase their talent. Events like this should happen more often.”
Band Fuzon’s lead guitarist and one of the organisers of the festival, Shallum Xavier said, “A city like Karachi which has a lot of musicians and such diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds needs events like this just to bring people together to experience something positive with all the violence that’s rampant.”
Followed by Opus was singer-songwriter and music producer Natasha Ejaz, who slowed down the pace of the evening with her groovy and soulful songs. Her guitarist, Ali Suhail, played jazzy solos that complemented her voice perfectly. The use of double bass guitar and brush sticks on the drums gave the music a fullness and richness that would not have been felt otherwise.
“I Am Karachi’s initiative is a commendable one and it’s necessary to promote more live music. They have accomplished their goal in trying to bring a diverse array of artists together and perform for the people of Karachi,” said Ejaz.
Sara Haider of Coke Studio fame said, “What’s great about this festival is that you get to know your performance’s feedback from the public. Playing for corporate audiences tends to skew your vision. This is an education for the people as well as the performers themselves.”
Chand Tara Orchestra set fire to the stage with their heavy metal fusion of eastern and western music styles. Guitar solos, long but melodious raags, and intense drumming with mind-blowing drum rolls dominated their dynamic performance.
The night continued with spectacular performances by Pakistani music stalwarts Amir Zaki and Shehzad Roy and Ahsan Bari’s Sounds of Kolachi and Mauj bands.
—By Mikhyle and Arnold Anthony