Amidst the hullabaloo of Indian Idol and Coke Studio Season 6, there is one music show that has taken a lot of audiophiles by a pleasant surprise and is going about its business without creating fuss, figuratively speaking.

It’s the second edition of Nescafe Basement in which underground bands showcase their talent. Hamza Tanveer and Altamash Sever’s take on Awaz’s famous yesteryear song, Mr Fraudiyay, was such a delight to hear. The band made it edgier, rawer and more meaningful to listen to.

Then the version of Gun n Roses’ Sweet Child o’ Mine was also a unique take on the rock track. The use of the tabla, not just for the heck of it, has imparted a new ‘feel’ to the song. Now that’s what you call innovation done with loads of energy and unbridled passion. It’s strange that not much is being talked about the show, perhaps because it’s the only music programme on local TV which is genuinely creative and sans any airs. Way to go, guys! We’ve woken up to the smell of your brew.

Opinion

Editorial

Regional climbdown
04 Mar, 2026

Regional climbdown

WITH the region in flames, Pakistan must calibrate its foreign policy accordingly; it has to deal with some ...
Burning questions
Updated 04 Mar, 2026

Burning questions

A credible, independent, and time-bound inquiry is now necessary after the US Consulate protest ended in gruesome bloodshed.
Governance failure
04 Mar, 2026

Governance failure

BENEATH Lahore’s signal-free corridors and road infrastructure lies a darker truth: crumbling sewerage lines,...
Iran endgame
Updated 03 Mar, 2026

Iran endgame

AS hostilities continue following the Israeli-American joint aggression against Iran, there seems to be no visible...
Water concerns
03 Mar, 2026

Water concerns

RECENT reports that India plans to invest $60bn in increasing its water storage capacity on the Jhelum and Chenab...
Down and out
03 Mar, 2026

Down and out

ANOTHER Twenty20 World Cup, another ignominious exit — although this time Pakistan did advance past the first...