Our bright future

The graduates of Lums organised a concert at Karachi’s Royal Rodale early last week that was attended by over 250 ardent local music followers, including friends and family of the band members. The two hours of solid rock music that followed included tabla and mild keyboards on the side.

After almost an hour’s waiting in the lounge — albeit with plenty of food and drinks for sale and a hearty reunion of school and college friends visible — the audience was ushered into the auditorium with its bands and the light and sound technicians ready to rock.

The Band started off the concert with a few slow covers, getting the audience in the mood, while plenty more kept filling up the vacant seats and the light settings went through its trial phase. The band consists of vocalist Fawad with Arsalan and Ali switching between guitar and bass, Saadi on drums and a helping hand from Kenan on keyboards, who stood solemnly in a dark corner of the stage, fiddling with his mobile phone while playing.

Having been formed at Lums and being part of its music society, they have not yet written any songs of their own, but have been performing for over five years and continue to do so, taking time out of their corporate careers for the stage. And judging by the cover quality and music, they will surely be recognised as a promising addition to our music industry if they hit the professional mark.

A short break followed The Band’s stint with a promise of more performances to follow. As the guards changed, the audience witnessed a joint production of ADP (Aunty Disco Project) — a Karachi-based band that is in the process of recording their album due to be released by the end of the year — and Kenan & Humaira. This combination unexpectedly worked well, with ADP’s rock music and Humaira’s serene vocals and Kenan once again providing the keyboards. Singing covers for Alanis Morissette, Dido and Jewel, Kenan & Humaira reached their peak in their solo performance of My Immortal by Evanescence, with Humaira’s voice and Kenan’s apt keyboard play earning substantial appreciation.

This stint marked the return of ADP which, in the shape of Omar Khalid, boasts one of the best drummers that the country has ever seen. He never faltered from doing what he does best, even when one of the drum sticks fell to the floor. This one-handed brilliant attempt was probably missed by the majority of the audience because they were engulfed in watching the guitarists put on a great show themselves. Playing covers as well as tracks from their upcoming album, ADP, though not as impressive on lyrics as they were with their music, had viewers applauding on their feet.

As the event rounded off later than expected, members from the audience started approaching the band members, praising them for the colourful display of music and vocals. If you hear the words ADP, The Band or Kenan & Humaira in a concert advert, do make sure to attend the gig; you won’t be disappointed.

© Faras Ghani 2006

Published in Images (Dawn) 1st Oct 2006