The Rock Musicarium Keeping music alive in the capital

For people seeking peace, Islamabad is the place to be. This notion is not justified anymore.

You could say this a decade or two ago, when all the members of the Band, Vital Signs would roam on vacant Islamabad roads in their skinny jeans and shirts and when Shakarparian and the Marghazar Zoo were the only hangout places in the city.

Islamabad has evolved over this period. Though I still believe it is not as happening as Karachi and Lahore but it provides enough entertainment to cater craving of its locals.

There are café’s where friends rendezvous, sports bars where sports fanatics assemble to watch their favorite sport on wide screens. Theatre skyrocketed some seven years ago with the introduction of plays like “Phantom of the Opera” and “Moulin Rouge” courtesy of Mr. Shah Sharabeel and now a new play is lined up every other week

Now let’s shed some light on music scenario in Islamabad. Well Islamabad’s obsession with music only amplified with time. Aadat, a song by a novice band at that time simply changed the landscape of music in Pakistan leading to emergence of several underground music bands throughout the country. Islamabad already had few underground bands but after the revolutionary “Aadat” the figure skyrocketed.

Some went commercial and gained fame, while other preferred staying Indi. Irtaash, Silversmoke, Qayyas, Lahu are amongst the prominent ones.

Being a diehard fan of music, I made sure I attended every gig that took place in the city. But then, music too became the victim of terrorism in Pakistan halting every musical activity here. Places that were used for a music gigs once were transformed into eating places or guest houses.

But then, Zeejah Fazli, one of the best guitarists from Pakistan decided to come forward and established a place that would only cater music and nothing else “The Rock Musicarium” which has again breathed life into the music of Islamabad. On a social networking website, Zeejah has explained the purpose for the creation of the Musicarium.

“I’ve established “The Rock Musicarium” to promote all artists. It is a local platform for the creation, understanding, documentation, promotion, preservation and publication of music on the global level”

Located in a desolated place next to Rawal Lake, The Rock is a monster that wakes up every weekend.

The Musicarium is the main source of entertainment for the music lovers in Islamabad. It is spacious and well equipped with all music facilities. Just recently, a mainstream band from Pakistan, Fuzon performed there and Zeejah is now planning a massive concert where all the prominent musicians throughout Pakistan will gather and perform.

The Rock is just the beginning though. I am sure many other such projects are in the line in near future. However, until then, The Rock will continue to entertain the music lovers.

Posted by Farhan Khalid on Oct 18 2011. Filed under Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry