When some 5,000 students from all over Karachi gathered at a star-studded lineup of singers/musicians who kept things roaring for over four hours, Images on Sunday was there to speak to the stars of the show.

We got in touch with Ali Azmat, Ali Noor (Noori), Komal Rizvi, Umair Jaswal and Q of Josh, and asked them about the experience and the uniqueness of the Karachi crowd, ongoing projects, revival of pop-rock and what the future holds.

Ali Azmat: “Great sound, great lighting, great audience.”

Live concerts portray the lively aspect of any city, a momentum that continues with the Pop-Rock Series

“Karachi aur har shehr ka apna hi maza hai.”

“Right now, I’m doing Cornetto Pop-Rock. Other than that, I am doing some soundtracks and acting in a movie as well.”

“With more such events, the revival of pop-rock culture amongst youth will definitely happen. Without corporate sponsorship, there won’t be any music.”

“Tours are in the pipeline.”

Ali Noor (Noori): “It’s great. The fact that we are getting bigger audiences in bigger venues is fantastic. The scale of the event, the lights and sounds and stage ... it’s all a very good feeling.”

“Noori has been working on quite a few major projects. I just did a song for Bollywood; working on a couple of new singles with other artists; the rest I’d like to reserve till their release.”

“Karachi is always a lot more responsive and they turn out in great numbers, which makes the live experience unique for performers as well.”

“Revival of pop-rock, or music for that matter, is dependent on a lot of factors including the release of new music, a cultivation of audience through interaction and the quality of live performances. This is essentially what music thrives upon, and is needed for revival.”

“The current Pakistani music scene can be summed up as ‘a fertile landscape with limited opportunities to nurture’.”

“Corporate sponsorship helps bring artistes and audiences together.”

“Build a future for our music industry. We have been developing a few ideas to develop a sustainable infrastructure for music, and there is loads of new stuff coming out. One thing is for sure: there is no future without people coming together.”

Komal Rizvi: “It’s so heartwarming to see a crowd of college and university kids at a public concert in Karachi after so many years.”

“It’s scary being a woman here, especially as one never knows what might happen in a public event. But it’s still loads of fun!”

“Off to Hyderabad for a gig and then San Francisco for another. New song and video releasing as a collaboration with Q of Josh, and a US tour in August.”

“With more live events like these, we will lean more towards positivity with music and less towards negativity.”

“We as a nation are becoming more alive by sheer will and passion. Music energy is finally bursting from this suppressive atmosphere.”

“My next album ... if only I can get time out from touring and travelling.”

Umair Jaswal: “I haven’t played in a show so good in a long, long time.”

“Karachi is my favourite city in Pakistan to perform. There’s something about the crowd here. They’re out to enjoy the night and they know how to enjoy a concert.”

“I have been super busy with acting projects. Been travelling a lot too but always managed to make time for music. I’m back in the studio making some more music.”

“Music is back on its feet. It’s been on a low for a while now. Efforts like these will help musicians make more music and put it out there.”

“It’s great to have corporate backing but we musicians can’t leave it all to them. We have to be brave and inspired enough to make music, release it and perform it on our own.”

“More music, live shows and a little more acting.”

Zoe Viccaji: “Depends on the crowd. Recently, we did festivals in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad and Hyderabad and they were all wonderful shows!” 

“I’m working on the videos for my latest EP. The songs are ready but not the videos … itching to release.”

“We need to have more shows, and for bands and singers to keep coming up with new original music and tailoring performances for a live act.”

“There needs to be a stronger focus on the quality of music and the intention with which everyone comes on board. It cannot just be about making money or selling a brand, it needs to be for the love of music and with the intention of people having a good time and relating emotionally.”

“Travel and collaborating with musicians from various backgrounds, inside and outside Pakistan.”

Q (Josh): “It’s always a great pleasure to perform in Pakistan where everyone can come enjoy.”

“I feel the energy is very similar in different places in Pakistan.”

“I think it’s high time people realise that ‘Q’ is ‘Qurram Hussain’ and that my roots are deeply set in Pakistan!”

“Creative corporate deals have to be made to release all forms of arts. Artistes have to be smart and work in a way that benefits everyone.”

“Music is always a big part of what keeps me busy. I hope to band together and will keep everyone updated on the progress through my social media, so watch out for that.”

Published in Dawn, Sunday Magazine, June 26th, 2016