Local alternative rock group Irtaash launched their much-anticipated album, Kala Safaid Aasman, with a concert at the Rock Musicarium in Lake View Park on Friday night. The space was ideal for an Islamabad audience– not overwhelmingly big, not claustrophobically small. High school and college kids dominated the scene, scattered in large groups across the amphitheatre, as the flashing lights lit the impressive stage.
“We are expecting lots of people, and I’m very excited,” said Zohair, an organiser.
Formed in November 2001, the band became a big name in the local underground music scene. With Yasir Jaswal on vocals, Farooq Shah and Umer Sohail on lead and rhythm guitars, Muhammad Talha on the bass, and Ali Nadeem on drums. Their debut album had been 10 years in the making.
“It’s been a ten-year wait,” explained a visitor who has been friends with the
band members of Irtaash for long. “They’re like the Pakistani Coldplay and Lifehouse,” he added.
With such praise it is difficult not to have high hopes. It is too bad they started so late, a lot of fans were frustrated and tired after having waited for nearly two-and-a-half hours for a band that really cannot afford to be tardy, given that they are still making a name for themselves.
