Live music scene back and alive in Pakistan: Shafqat

LONDON: Music maestro Shafqat Amant Ali Khan has said that live music scene in Pakistan has made its comeback with a big turnaround in the security situation of the country-- and live concerts have picked up again with packed venues hosting live singers.

Speaking to Geo TV in London after serenading his fans with his hit tracks at De Montfort Hall in Leicester and London’s Indigo At The O2, the popular singer said there was a lull for sometime because of the uncertain security situation but that has changed and Pakistani cities are a happening place again and live bands are out and about – breaking new boundaries.

The talented son of legendary Ustad Amanat Ali Khan said: “My last one year’s experience tells me that live music scene has staged a comeback. There was a lull when lie activities slowed down or went on a break but now its back and youth and families are attending concerts and enjoying themselves.

Shafqat Amanat Ali was invited to London for two live gigs with his ten-piece band by Rock On Music, but the magical singer has been performing to private events besides filming at iconic London locations for his upcoming music projects.

At the O2 in London, Shaftqat Amanat Ali left his fans gasping for more as her performed live for more than two hours and sang his hit songs – while his band members put up a great and tight support act throughout. The scion of famous Patiala gharana left lthe audience spellbound as he reached heights with his soulful voice of variations, touching emotions and displaying Shafqat’s total command on vocals. His fans sang most of his songs with him and Shafqat provided his fans opportunity to sing solo with his band – a gesture that won plaudits from his fans, some of whom were incited on stage to sing and others sang while Shafqat reached out to them on their seats.

Shafqat told Geo TV that his energy level always rises when he see his fans responding to his songs and interacting musically. “That kind of response is loved by any singer, and naturally my energy level goes to another level and that helps me perform powerful. The crowds in London and Leicester were amazing. I toured UK after a break of nearly five years and I have loved it. Live music is everything, and I love it when feedback is live too.”

Shafqat is in the league of amongst best Pakistani and Indian Urdu singers and has global following because of his sheer mastery of singing. Coming from a renowned family of classical musicians, the singing sensation broke new barriers when he released his first album ‘Saager’ with famous rock band Fuzon.

The album lit a fire, proverbially, and some of Shafqat’s songs from that album are sung like national anthem to date. Aakhon Ke Saagar, Akhiyan, Tere Bina and Khamaaj (Mora Saiyan) remain instant favourites with fans. Since then Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan has given songs to hit Bollywood films and has developed a huge following in India and rest of the world.

Explains Shafqat: “In the first album, we did fusion of classical and rock. It was the match of contemporary with the classical and the new sound went almost global. It succeeded like we never anticipated as that’s the kind of music that’s liked by all ages and groups. That album opened new avenues for us and marked new grounds for music scene.”

The world-class live performer said that development of technology has helped genuine musicians who had felt threatened after cassettes went out of sale, CDs arrived and people thought musicians will not record albums anymore. The gifted singer said Pakistani channels now buy songs of musicaisn to use in films and soap dramas and that has helped flourish the music scene.

Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan said that his brother Asad Amanat Ali Khan also sang popular music but kept his base classical, and he was also following in his footsteps.

Shafqat Amanat Ali has been filming in London but also taking time out to meet industry people for future collaborations. He also visited the British parliament and met Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

In the first week of April, the singer will perform live to an exclusive private event at the prestigious Natural History Museum. He will become the second Pakistani artist after Ustad Rahat fateh Ali Khan to perform at this venue.