Future doctors sing along to Strings

GigOut!
Future doctors sing along to Strings
Strings truly won the audience over at a Dow University gig

Shahzeb Shaikh
Karachi

Music is a stimulating force which can pump up anyone despite their profession or personality. This was proven at the Strings gig at the Dow University of Health Sciences, Ojha Campus where doctors, usually considered book-worms, gave everything from head-banging and singing to going wild their best. At a time when life is rendered stagnant owing to a troubled law and order situation and load shedding, the entertainment initiative by DUHS was highly welcomed.

Things went crazy when Strings’ entry was announced. The band tested the crowd’s patience as they randomly checked their instruments in the dark for almost two minutes. The moment Faisal launched into ‘Koi Aanay Wala Hai’ with a delayed guitar intro, the crowd went out of control! The live rendition of the track is mind-blowing. I’d hate to hear it on CD after listening to it live.

Faisal as always was a master at handling his audience. When he inquired of the fans, “kya yehan koi anay wala hai? and they shouted in the negative, he said, “then why are you guys standing so far off, come in front!” Needless to say, the crowd complied. One could hear everyone singing. It was an optimistic scene.

‘Najane Kyun’ was another solid performance. As much as Faisal is a captivating singer, no one plays the guitar better than Bilal. On ‘Zinda’, the fans were again honoured as Faisal said, “the energy you guys have in this heat is tremendous,” and the crowd jubilantly sang along. On ‘Sir Kiye Ye Pahar’, Bilal flexed his vocal chords while Faisal took a break.

Talking to Instep Today right off the stage during the song, a cheerful Faisal movingly said, “it is so amazing, we have been singing this song to [the people] of the 90’s …  2000… and now 2011. The crowd is always at its best on this song.”

‘Durr’ is of course remembered for Faisal hypnotic vocals. Adeel played a marvelous guitar solo on this one. The track once again is way better live. Throughout the track, the crowd joined in the band and made it a memorable performance.

‘Chaaye Chaaye’ opened up with a sky-scraping guitar solo and proved to be one of the high points of the gig. The audience didn’t calm down for a moment, singing along to each verse and clapping away. It was great to witness such energy.

Strings also played ‘Dhaani’ and ‘Hai Koi Hum Jaisa’ which were enjoyed thoroughly by the attendees. However, the ultimate crowd pleaser appeared at the tail-end of the gig in the form of ‘Main Tau Dekhoonga’. The track has really struck a chord with people, especially the youth and according to the band has become the most demanded song at their gigs. And it was divine to witness it live. Strings must be commended for playing live with perfection what they produce in the studios.

While singing, the verse, “Jab rang barange jhande/ ek parcham me ghul jayenge,” Faisal shared an  anecdote with the audience. He said, “when Bilal wrote this song, many people said that this is only a khayali pulao and this dream will never be fulfilled. But just recently many political parties have decided to discontinue their party flags,” and there was a huge roar from the crowd. It was an exhilarating moment witnessing the band singing one line and the crowd singing the other in unison. The band really brought the house down with this performance.

Strings said, “we love to perform for colleges. It’s important that we keep ourselves connected with the youth. We think it’s the connection with youth because of which we feel like making songs like ‘Mein Tou Dekhoonga’ and ‘Ab Khud Kuch Karana Paray Ga’.  It’s important that our youth feels the patriotism that we are somehow beginning to lose in our country.”

Pop music is an art form essential  to that awakening.