2023 – A Year beyond the notes

Grammy, Spotify, Coke Studio, Karachi Eat – Are you ready to groove in 2023?

Karachi: From Pasoori topping the charts to Arooj Fatima winning the Grammy, Pakistan had an incredible year for music in 2022. The year 2022 taught us that if things get rough, music is our only escape, and though we may have gravitated towards international artistes in previous years, 2022 reminded us that Pakistani artistes were more than ready to take over our playlists.

I may be going out on a limb with some predictions for the New Year, but what’s the purpose if you don’t go big? Save this page and check back in 2023 to see whether any of these come through in 2023.

Another Grammy For Pakistan

Well, this is for sure!

Arooj Fatima, who made history by becoming the first Pakistani ever to win a Grammy last year, has received a second nomination for 2023 in the Best Global Music Performance category for her duet with Anoushka Shankar, “Udhero Na.”

We all wish her luck in winning again and introducing the rest of the world to the beautiful musical heritage of Pakistan.

Live Music Concert will re-emerge even better than before

As we enter the fourth year of the pandemic in 2023, booster doses provided excellent protection, allowing the concert industry to quickly complete the recovery that began in 2021. Even music lovers who had previously been reluctant to attend live music concerts will be willing to do so as they become weary of spending Saturday nights at home. It has almost begun with Faisal Kapadia, Bilal Maqsood doing solo concerts as the year 2022 came to an end.

Millennials will be passing on the musical legacy to Gen Z

To be honest, it has already started – when was the last time your heard ‘Sayonee’ by Junoon in the car while driving? Not too soon, right? 2023 will be the era of Gen Z stars who are all set to go big.

Shamoon Ismail was one of the first artistes to make Pakistani pop music seem like Taylor Swift and the Chainsmokers performing together in Punjabi. And now the boy launched his first album, ‘Strawberry’. We guess it’s the beginning of more to come.

Among the numerous, incredibly gifted singers who have cemented their places as inspiring musicians of this generation are Hasan Raheem, Maanu, Zahra Paracha, Natasha Noorani, Arooj Aftab, and Natasha Baig. The tough local rappers making waves include Faris Shafi, Young Stunners, and Lyari Underground, while several local bands, like Takatak, Karakoram, Poor Rich Boy, Bayaan, and Khumariyaan, are gradually gaining the respect they deserve.

Karachi Eat’s 10th Anniversary will be memorable

The biggest food festival in Pakistan will mark its tenth year in January, 2023. This year’s Eat Festival includes an online edition, which promises to be the biggest online food festival of its sort in the Asian belt. What makes you think there won’t be any music, then? According to the news, Asim Azhar, Young Stunners, Bilal Maqsood, Zeb Bangash, Kaifi Khalil, Rafay Israr, and Ali Tariq will be among the main performers.

Expect something even bigger then Pasoori

Well, when 2022 can give us hits like Pasoori, Peechey hut, and Jhoom, don’t you dare to think Coke Studio 15 will be any less. So keep your hopes high because it will be even bigger and better.