The story begins with Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia, co-founders of Pakistan’s longest running band, Strings, who announced their decision to call it a day this year as a music group. The decision has come after Bilal Maqsood helmed Velo Sound Station in 2020 which came out swinging with hit songs. Had the show not succeeded perhaps the future of Strings would’ve been different. But VSS did succeed and perhaps made the decision for Strings even before they consciously realized it. Landing on this deduction is therefore not out of the realm of possibilities.

With the end of Strings and the rising popularity of solo acts, the mantel inadvertently fell on Noori. But both Ali Noor and Ali Hamza won’t return with a new album unless they first release their solo works. Ali Noor has dropped the electro-rock EP Pagal while Ali Hamza, too, has released singles like ‘Rabba Meray Haal Da Menhram Tuu’n’, ‘Marre Kakkya’ and earlier this year, ‘Sar Buland’.

As Noori brothers work on solo music material during their self-imposed hiatus, the perception that Pakistan has run out of bands (with solo artists being the visible face) couldn’t be further from the truth. Instep highlights some of the most fantastic bands from the present who can persevere in the glaring spotlight. This list is not indicative of all great bands but some of the bands who could take a spot within mainstream…

Mekaal Hasan Band (MHB)

If Strings were the longest running band, Mekaal Hasan Band falls right after them. Around for the longest time after Strings, the band is led by Mekaal Hasan and has seen changes in terms of band members. What has been consistent is their ability to make quality music and play it live. With three albums to their credit such as Sampooran, Saptak and Andholan, MHB is far from over and with its current line-up is gearing up to make another album. From using kalaams to featuring arresting singers and exemplary musicianship, this is a band that other bands admire.

Chand Tara
Orchestra (CTO)

Chand Tara Orchestra (CTO) may not always feature in their music videos but with just one album, this super-group has managed to enchant listeners. People may recognize them for their Coke Studio 11 national appearance with ‘Nami Danam’. Or, for an LSA nod. However, with musicians like Omran Shafique, Babar Sheikh, Sherry Raza and Rizwan Ullah Khan – each attached to at least another act in the past or present – and their ability to be open to mistakes and reverence for the material they play, CTO is more than a super-group. They leave a visceral effect on you with their performances and only make us wish for more music.

The Sketches

With three albums to their credit and each superior to the next, The Sketches do justice to the title of indie-folk music act. From appearing on Coke Studio multiple times to bagging multiple Lux Style Awards nominations, The Sketches have certainly made their mark on the mainstream scene even though this Jamshoro-based band chooses to stay away from the media ruckus. Also, the creators of Lahooti Melo and Lahooti Live, each not just meritorious but culturally and socially relevant, their last album, Saanjhi still remains beautiful and introspective. Fortunately for listeners, it looks like The Sketches are not going away anytime soon.

Khumariyaan

The music group from Peshawar and Islamabad, Khumariyaan has managed to make fans for more than a decade. Their use of Rubab and Sehtar and no vocals in most songs with exceptions like ‘Ya Qurban’ hasn’t kept audiences away. If anything, Khumariyaan has represented Pakistan abroad to great success and played shows in United States, Africa, United Kingdom and Ireland. Using music to create awareness about Pashtun culture in subtle ways, the band featuring Aamer Shafiq, Farhan Bogra, Shiraz Khan and Sparlay Rawail is one of the most electrifying live acts in the country. Though they haven’t released an album, the band is known for several songs including their smash hit, ‘Ya Qurban’ (featured on Coke Studio 11), ‘Tamasha’ and ‘Bela’ among others.

Saakin

In this age of music at your fingertips with multiple music apps and an overload of technology, it is rare to come across a band like Saakin who manage to make a massive mark with their first single, ‘Saki-e-Bawafa’. The single has forced people to think about the greatest band in Pakistan and Saakin is a name that has come up many times.

The follow-up to ‘Saki’ with Zindagi Tamasha’ score such as ‘Aj Sik Mitraan’ and ‘Zindagi Tamasha Bani’ elevated Saakin to another level. But it’s their original ‘Intebah’ ft. Amir Bresler, Ismail Lumanovski (that was released this year) makes them one of those rare bands who keep releasing material that is relevant to the fabric of society. It’s like mainstream and counterculture embedded within one when they’re on their best and so far, it’s 4 for 4. What they lack in quantity, they have made up for it with quality.

Malang Party

Having re-released their debut EP, Load Shedding via A for Aleph Records, the band that is spearheaded by Zeeshan Mansoor has an illustrious history. Having made an appearance on Coke Studio for their hit track, ‘Dil Jaley’, Malang Party has been around for quite a while and is now ready to work upon and release its debut album. The release date is tentative but what we do know is the commentary on the album will be strong with engaging musicianship and a bevy of terrific musicians. Watch out!

Footnote: While the abovementioned have a stronger chance of getting mainstream attention, other music groups such as Auj, Surkhwaab, The D/A Method, VIP, Sikandar Ka Mandar, Roots, Karakoram, Takatak, Janoobi Khargosh, Rushk, Mauj, Sounds of Kolachi, co-VEN, Kashmir are among the many bands that should be explored by listeners. You never know if you’ll find a surprisingly promising song and an equally fascinating new band to listen to.