During the long-drawn absence of live gigs given the security situation throughout the country, and Karachi in particular, sponsored music events are a good omen for music aficionados.

The popular sentiment is that the corporate sector must step up and take charge of holding music concerts like they support fashion weeks. After all, don’t music and fashion go hand in hand?

The recently-held Mountain Dew Neon launch event at Karachi’s Area 51 was made all the more exhilarating with a live concert featuring the talent of Adil Omar, Talal Qureshi and Umair Jaswal. The happening event was abuzz with celebs and fashionistas on the red carpet besides bikes, skateboards and graffiti that captured the brand essence and its daring, edgy vibe.

Prominent among the celebs were model Abbas Jafri and actor Ahsan Khan who struck a pose for the cameras with the heavy bikes besides VJ Anoushey Ashraf and singer Zoe Viccaji.

Umair Jaswal, as the frontman of the band Qayaas, has quite a following in Karachi. This became evident as the crowd sang along to his songs with enthusiasm. His set included popular numbers such as Charkha Nolakha, Sawaal and Inquilaab. Next up was the hip hop rap duo of Adil and Talal.

Adil opened with the popular Lady in Black and then went on to Paki Rambo and Exploding Heart. The adrenaline-charged crowd lapped it all up as quick as he dished it out. He also played a couple of tracks from his upcoming album.

The corporations get publicity and we get good music. That’s a win-win

Images on Sunday caught up with Jaswal and Omar backstage to ask them about their music and future plans.

Q. Your experience of performing in Karachi?

Umair Jaswal: Fantastic! Absolutely love the energy. It was one of my best shows yet.

Adil Omar: The experience was loads of fun. I love Karachi, so any opportunity to be here, especially when I’m playing, is a good one.

Talal and Adil Omar

Q. The difference between Karachi and Islamabad?

UJ: When I play in Islamabad, I’m controlling the audience. But, in Karachi it’s impossible to match the energy of the crowd and I feel as if the crowd controls me. It makes me give my best, give it all. That’s why it’s always magical in Karachi.

Q. Future plans?

UJ: I will also be on the road very soon. The plan is to play as many shows as possible and back them up with soundtracks for Pakistani films, and eventually somewhere by the end of 2015 release an album.

AO: I’ll be releasing my EP with Talal Qureshi titled Saturday Night Killing Machine in a few weeks which also has a song with Quratulain Baloch on it. And then playing SxSW in Austin, Texas in March.”

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, January 25th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play