You Have To Let Go Sometime

You Have To Let Go Sometime
Published in 'SHE'
August 2007 Issue

By Fariha Rashed
Saturday 7th July -- the infamous duo from Peshawar, Sajid and Zeeshan, wait in anticipation, all geared up for their first performance in the city, at the Lahore University of Management Sciences [LUMS], due to begin at 8pm sharp. As sweat pours down their foreheads, owing to the extreme humidity in the air, they realize that it’s already 7:30pm and sound hasn’t even been set up properly as yet. Farhad Humayun fumbles about trying to get sound and light ready at the LUMS Central Courtyard, so the duo can begin their sound check. The stage is all set, and a large backdrop highlights the three collaborations made for this specific event, namely Djuice, Sajid & Zeeshan and the LUMS Music Society.

By 9pm the gig is well on its way. The courtyard is filled with at least 600 enthusiastic fans. Unfortunately, much to everyone’s anger and frustration, the LUMS Music Society does not allow Sajid & Zeeshan onto the stage anytime before midnight. This serves to aggravate fans, media and not to mention the sponsor. It is quite obvious that the Music Society is too busy promoting their own underground bands, who go on to play for three hours straight. During the stretch of this time, Sajid & Zeeshan are seen standing on the side waiting to be given a chance to perform at what is supposed to be their own concert.

After a few heated words are exchanged between the Music Society, the sponsor’s brand manager and the duo’s Lahore manager, Sajid & Zeeshan are finally seen mounting the stage. Half of the crowd, which had left the courtyard and was standing outside waiting to hear the duo, are seen rushing back as Amar, the host for the night, finally introduces Sajid & Zeeshan onto the stage. Loud clapping is heard and fans scream out the duo’s individual names. The energy in the courtyard suddenly heightens as Sajid strums the first chords on his guitar. He stands in the middle of the well lit stage, before a microphone, completely involved in his playing. Zeeshan, located to one side of the stage, is surrounded by tables that support his various gadgets. What the crowd witnesses Zeeshan do next, with what is known as an AirFX [gadget], is unbelievable. Coupled with Sajid’s powerful vocals that were hitting all kinds of notes, the effect is nothing less then mind blowing. The duo performs seven songs off their recently released album called ‘One Light Year at Snail Speed’. The songs most enjoyed by the crowd include ‘King Of Self’, ‘My Happiness’, ‘Close to You’, and ‘You Have to Let Go Sometime’. After the completion of every song the audience breaks out into an uproar of appreciation. Zeeshan is seen dancing along to every fast paced song they do as he continues to improvise with his electronic gadgets. Suddenly Sajid pulls out a harmonica and adds its flavor to the performance, driving the crowd even crazier.

Lahore has never before been subjected to such music or such a wild performance. Sajid & Zeeshan have taken the fun of going to a live performance to new heights. As the duo performs their last song the crowd shouts for an encore of ‘You Have to Let Go Sometime’. They oblige and once again the entire courtyard sways from side to side. The concert finally comes to an end at 1am and as Sajid & Zeeshan say their thank you’s, a flock of girls rush towards the stage and ask for autographs. When they finally start packing up their instruments, both Sajid and Zeeshan have huge grins plastered across their faces. It is apparent that they feel they had a good show.