The concept of fame and success in today’s music landscape is a peculiar one. Sometimes, all it takes is one hit track on Spotify for an artist to skyrocket to household name status. Other times, success is a gradual journey that spans years.
What makes it even more intriguing is the fact that success in the music industry is subjective and cannot be easily defined. Is it achieving one million streams on Spotify? Or is it crafting a soothing melody that brings solace to a troubled heart? Is success measured by the throngs of Gen-Z fans flocking to live gigs, or by a woman in her 50s attending a concert after years, just to bask in the nostalgia of mellow tunes? The answer is elusive, and that’s what makes the music world so captivating.
Kaavish, a Pakistani band, exemplifies this enigma of success. Their music transcends boundaries — it’s enchanting, therapeutic, and evokes a sense of longing for bygone days, friendships, and cherished memories. Universally adored by those who have listened to them, it’s perplexing why they stayed away from live performances for so long. Perhaps, in the past, live shows were primarily associated with pop music, but today’s audience craves diversity.
This sentiment was vividly demonstrated at Kaavish’s recent concert in Lahore, their first in 14 years. The audience was a diverse mix of age groups: from Gen-Z fans who discovered Kaavish through recent collaborations to millennials who grew up humming ‘Bachpan’ during their school and college years, to older aficionados who may have admired Nayyara Noor, Jaffer Zaidi’s mother. Witnessing this varied audience come together for the performance was heartening.
The concert commenced punctually, a commendable aspect, with the rendition of their debut song, ‘Bachpan.’ As Jaffer belted out the opening lines, “Yeh woh jagah hai,” the crowd was instantly captivated, transported back in time by waves of nostalgia. Throughout the evening, Kaavish delivered flawless performances, leaving everyone wondering why they had been deprived of this live experience for so long.
Renowned violinist Javed Iqbal’s inclusion added an extra layer of magic to the performances, particularly during ‘Dekho.’ The audience’s fervent response, demanding an encore of ‘Tere Pyaar Main,’ underscored the spellbinding quality of Kaavish’s music.
Technical glitches momentarily interrupted the concert, but the audience’s spontaneous singing injected a sense of camaraderie and fun into the event. It was evident that everyone was eagerly anticipating the brilliance that would follow once the issues were resolved.
The performance resumed seamlessly after a brief intermission, with ‘Nindiya Re’ receiving a resounding applause from the crowd. What was truly heartwarming to witness was the equal enthusiasm exhibited by audience members of all ages. Youngsters sang along with tears in their eyes, while older attendees recorded the performance on their phones, cherishing the moment.
The concert’s conclusion was marked by a surprise appearance by Abdul Hannan, who joined the stage for ‘O Yaara,’ the first live rendition of the track. His humble demeanor, coupled with Jaffer’s soulful rendition, left the audience spellbound.
However, the most poignant moment of the evening came when Jaffer paid tribute to his mother, Nayyara Noor, with a rendition of ‘Raat Yun Dil Mein Teri Khowi Huwi Yaad Aai.’ It was a fitting end to a memorable night, leaving everyone in awe of her legacy.
Kaavish’s debut performance in Lahore was truly unforgettable, evoking a range of emotions from the audience — laughter, tears, and everything in between. The magic they created on that warm summer night at Alhamra Art Centre will be etched in the memories of Lahore for years to come. Let’s hope they continue to weave their enchanting spells and grace us with more magical evenings in the future!
