Game-changing Pakistani bands

Pakistan’s independent music scene is thriving, with emerging and established artists from around

the country releasing music you’ll want to put on repeat.

The All Girl Band (TAG)

Pakistan’s new pop sensations The All Girl Band have taken over the internet and are on the fast track towards becoming a leading girl group destined to break stereotypes and boundaries. Made up of lead vocalist and guitarist Anna Salman, violinist Amal Nadeem, tabla player Sumera Waris, drummer Mishal Faheem and sitar player Shazrah, TAG was founded in 2016. With over 1 million views on YouTube, its female line-up stand out in an often male-dominated music industry.

After making their debut on NESCAFE Basement, driven by resolute determination, the young women have been making music and are here to stay. At tender ages of finding oneself, they discovered their passion and turned it into a profession in a truly admirable way. Following their first appearance in the music scene in 2016, they have already claimed their space in the music industry, slowly and gradually.

Kashmir

They came, they sang and they conquered. Kashmir the band’s has been an amazing journey in Pakistan’s music scene right from the first appeared in Pepsi Battle of the Bands. Though it was their win that opened great new avenues for the band, their unique sound and live energy is what caught everyone’s eye right from the beginning. It was after a while that Pakistan saw an alternative rock band with this potential that lived up to its expectations.

The band created their own territory proving their worth as independent artists with highly conceptualised music, thought-provoking video concepts, impactful lyrics, powerful vocals, and the melancholic feel to every songs.

Young Stunners

Talha Younus and Talha Anjum are ruling the music scene in Pakistan. Together they became the amazing Young Stunners and are regarded as the voice of this generation. Urdu Rap was an unknown territory where no artist ventured. In such circumstances it was pure dedication that kept them going. They had no connections in the music industry yet it was their passion, belief and the power of doing the unthinkable.

Their unique talent has given birth to many more singers in the music genre but Young Stunners enjoy the reign by being the rap pioneers in Pakistan. Their refreshing hip hop beat, enthralling video concepts and intriguing lyrics have made their songs the new sound of the nation.

Soch The Band

Soch the band, comprises of two very talented musicians, Adnan Dhool and Rabi Ahmed. The duo offers a unique, fresh and soulful approach to their earthy music. Adnan Dhool at the helm, with his gritty vocals, complemented by Rabi Ahmed’s guitar rhythms. With there thought provoking lyrics, Soch takes you on a journey, hitting on to the harsh realities to the raw emotions of life. Soch’s first ever single Bandeya received some mainstream radio airplay of which the World-wide release was done in collaboration with Indya Record and was first exclusively aired on 9x Network in India.

Soch’s Bollywood debut is a track titled ‘Awari’ for ‘Ek Villain’ starring Shardha Kapoor, Sidharth Malhothra and Ritesh Deshmukh. The song led them to be nominated in many big award shows like IIFA, FILMFARE, LIFE OK and alike.

Bayaan

When an eclectic group of people collaborates for a creative project it is likely to create sparks. The case of Bayaan is no different. Bayaan is an alternative rock/contemporary pop band hailing from Lahore, consisting of Asfar Hussain, Haider Abbas, Mansoor Lashari, Shahrukh Aslam and Muqeet Shahzad. The band first rose to prominence when its members were featured in Nescafe Basement and later made headlines after winning the third season of Pepsi Battle of the Bands in 2018.

Bayaan is renowned for its lyrical prowess and experimentation alongside thought provoking music videos. The five-member band which believes in producing original content, takes inspiration from different genres of music. From Mehdi Hassan to Dream Theater, Junoon, Iron Maiden, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden — the playlists of the band members are as diverse as they are.