CityFM89 celebrates World Music Day across the country (Pictures)
On Friday, the 22nd of June 2012, CityFM89 celebrated World Music Day in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad simultaneously. 20 up and coming Pakistani bands performed in the three cities.
The Karachi event took place at Port Grand. Khalid Malik of The Breakfast Show on CityFM89 hosted the evening. The show started off with Hassan Hussain performing Pakistani pop classics and his original single “Rangeen Raat” Up next was 7 on 3rd, fronted by Gibran Nasir, who performed covers of popular songs such as Adele’s Rolling In The Deep and Vital Signs’ ‘Dil Dil Pakistan.’ The next act was the Children’s Academy of Performing Arts – getting the audience up on their feet with their renditions of Moves Like Jagger and Hey, Soul Sister. Positive, sufi-rockers from Jamshoro, had the audience mesmerized with their soulful rendition of ‘Alif Allah Meem Muhammad.’ Next on stage were Spoonful and Sara Haider (of Uth Records fame) who performed classics like ‘I Shot The Sheriff,’ and ‘Fever.’ The surprise performance of the viral hit ‘Wadera ka Beta’ by Ali Gul Pir with Spoonful was a treat for the audience. Sketches The Band who made their mark on Coke Studio 4 enthralled the audience with their homage to Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai and Bulleh Shah. The concert ended on a high-note with ICU bringing the house down their punk-pop favorites ‘Paanch Chuhey’ and ‘Aise hee Sahee.’ The concert was attended by a cross-section of Karachi society including celebrities, socialites and music enthusiasts.
The Lahore leg of the event was held at Ali Auditorium. The alternative band, Reset Switch, set the tone for the night with their song ‘Dam Laga Kay.’ Metal band, Odyssey, brought a fresh twist to ever-green hits like Sajjad Ali’s ‘Babiya’ and Hassan Jahangir’s ‘Hawa Hawa.’ Mujeeb Mustafa, an emerging solo artist, fused East and West in his performance with the use of the violin, tabla and flute. Following the fusion was the even more experimental sound of 4Payee – winners of the Pakistan edition of Redbull’s Tum Tum Pa competition. Their specialty is that they make music out of everyday items such as glasses, stationary and a motorbike petrol tank! The LUMS Music Society started their performance with a rocked-out version of Pak Sar Zameen and followed it up with a variety of covers ranging from Bon Jovi’s ‘It’s My Life’ to the bollywood favorite ‘Sheila ki jawani’. Next up was The Bayghairat Brigade of ‘Aloo Anday’ fame, whose humor made them instant crowd favorites. The night was closed by Poor Rich Boy and The Toothless Winos. The 8 piece ensemble band performed their songs ‘Alice’ and ‘Finger’ – which have been getting considerable radio airplay as well as viral hits.
The World Music Day celebrations in Islamabad took place at Islamabad Club. Wes Malik – of The Drive Thru on CityFM9 – hosted the show. Starting with some light-hearted crowd interaction by Wes Malik, D-Rockracy took to the stage with an Adele cover. Next up was the pint-sized songstress Maria Fatima Unera Qureshi, covering teen sensations like Paramore and Kings of Leon. Karachi crooners, Bell, had their first ever Islamabad performance at the show – leaving the audience completely mesmerized by their laid-back, relaxed sound, especially with their cover of ‘Tere Ishq Mein.’ Lahu, veteran Islamabad rockers, shook things up with their big, rock sound – covering classics by Junoon and sufi favorites like ‘O Lal Meri’ and ‘Dum Must Qalandar.’ Pushto rap artists Fortitude got the crowd grooving with their stage antics and slick beats. The night ended with DIssbelief driving the audience into a frenzy with their originals and covers alike. The concert was attended by a large cross section of Islamabad society, including youth and the international community.
World Music Day celebrations are a regular feature of CityFM89’s calendar – with nationwide concerts every year. Munizeh Sanai, General Manager at CityFM89 said ‘experiencing your favorite artists in concert is a great feeling! We want to give the opportunity to do that to more and more people every year.’ CityFM89 recently sent one lucky listener to see Madonna live in concert in Abu Dhabi.
For more about World Music Day on CityFM89 and pictures from the event, log on to – www.cityfm89.com
