Formed by three UK-born brothers Kuly, Manj and Surj, under the tutelage of their father the band members had their first brush with music at a very young age while singing hymns to the sound of the harmonium at the gurdwara. While growing up they experimented with music by blending various musical vernaculars and styles, and fused them with Punjabi folk thus producing the distinct RDB sound we know today. Moreover, their collaborations with Snoop Dogg, Public Enemy and Akshay Kumar brought them the international acclaim they deserve.

There wasn't any massive advertising as organisers these days don't deem it wise to resort to conventional promotion. Instead they prefer Facebook, Twitter, text messaging (SMS) and websites which is not only cost-effective but also swift.

The concert venue was the rooftop of the Royal Rodale Club and the biggest threat was what if it rained due to the ongoing monsoon season. Secondly, since the club is located in the residential area of DHA, there are strict timings that the management has to comply with.

Raeth, Roxen and Saleem Javed had been tasked to open the show but due to reasons unknown, Raeth didn't appear onstage and their manager remained tight-lipped when asked. Saleem Javed mostly sang rip-offs of other singers which included Kadi Te Huns Bol and Maujan hi Maujan (from the film Jab We Met). Even his last song Jugni couldn't get the crowd on their feet which led me to the conclusion that our local acts will have to inject a good deal of new and contemporary ideas into their music to sound progressive.

With Roxen's arrival the energy levels picked up a tad bit. Mustufa Zahid was joined by Haider Haleem (lead guitars), Umar Farooq (bass guitar), Faisal Khan (rhythm guitar) and Kenny (drums). The band delivered Sapnay which got a lukewarm response. A bit flustered over technical issues, it then strummed out Tera Mera Rishta, a song that they rendered for the film Awarapan (2007). The sound levels seemed oddly out of sync which led to the instruments and the vocals sounding all over the place. But Roxen kept going and as the mood mellowed down, they took the audience by surprise with a booming version of Tan Tana Tana Na Na from the film Kaminey, followed by Neend Aati Nahin, and lastly they performed Toh Phir Aao.

Escorted amid tight security, RDB landed on the well-lit stage amid deafening applause and screams from the crowd. Over the years Singh is Kinng has turned into the band's trademark ditty and they always play it as their opening track. Strumming an original version of the same, RDB kicked off the show with it, followed by Sadi Gali. With their untamed and raw energy that could light up an entire city, RDB is unquestionably the king of contemporary bhangra.

Paisa Paisa Karti Hai was followed by Aalu Chaat, a rapturously loud, high-on-rhythm number that was also the biggest hit of the year. But before RDB could go on to another track, the management pulled the plug on the concert due to the reports of riots spreading to other parts of the city, and rising concerns for the security of the international artistes.

RDB has a fabulous collection of songs and the band could have played for hours with the kind of energy they display at performances. Still what little was on offer that night still served to flare up the passion of the music aficionados present.