Faisal Baig has been spinning records in front of thousands of people and has, more recently, participated in Red Bull Music SoundClash 2018. The latest SoundClash saw Ali Azmat facing off Strings in front of a euphoric crowd of 5,200 at Karachi Gymkhana.
The audience was phenomenal, and the energy was raw. I couldn’t believe it was Karachi
The Pakistani music scene, despite its shortcomings and challenges, has evolved considerably in the past 15 years. “DJing as a profession and art has come a long way in Pakistan. A brand like Red Bull inviting a DJ for its biggest musical event is a proof of it. At a personal level, it’s an honor and also recognition for my work.”
But despite the success of the musical clash, live concerts and performances have become a rare occurrence in Pakistan. Not very long ago, every major city in the country used to host concerts that were attended by thousands of fans. But the phenomenon has seen a decline in recent years due to constant security threats.
“Artists feel a kind of uncertainty, a sort of fear when performing on stage – especially in a city like Karachi, given its history of security shortfalls. But despite that, a great number of people showed up for the show.”
“We need to develop a culture of live music in Pakistan again. And SoundClash is a step in the right direction.”
Commenting at the size of the audience, Faisal Baig said, “People are yearning for live music. They weren’t scared to come out and watch their favorite bands perform. To have that many people gather at a public venue in Karachi and then go home safely, without incident, is amazing. But what’s even more stunning is seeing a palpable change in culture around entertainment and music. That kind of comfort is rare in Pakistan. And that is why it was such a glorious night,” he added.
The first SoundClash that took place in Karachi in 2016 also attracted a massive audience. But this time, the numbers were even higher. “To me, that’s a big win,” says Faisal.
He believes the event has matured in the past two years. “You could feel the difference in the quality and production this time around. The first SoundClash was great, but the second one was mind-blowing!”
For the past decade, corporate brands have played a huge role in supporting Pakistan’s music industry. Almost every thriving artist has some form of corporate sponsorship or support. “In a country like Pakistan, it can be difficult to survive if you’re a writer, actor or musician – especially in the early years. But if you’re committed to your passion, circumstances change in your favor.”
Faisal Baig’s love affair with DJing started when he was 25, even though he was professionally involved with music long before that. In hindsight, a music technology class in university is what inspired him.
“When I saw one of my teachers in college design sounds from machines, it was my aha! moment. I realized for the first time that sound could have infinite possibility. I got addicted to the process of creating and designing sounds using audio technology. To me, it was awesome that you could give people something that wasn’t bound to an instrument.”
Even though the guitar was Faisal’s first instrument of choice, which he started playing at 14, his focus had started to drift from organic music during his late teens.
He was increasingly fascinated by the relatively new genre of electronic music. Baig was into Metallica, Guns N’ Roses and the 80’s heavy metal English band Iron Maiden. By the mid-90s, there were many genres of electronic music including trance, house, and techno.
“My obsession with electronic music is what paved the way for DJing.” But despite his rise to stardom, for Baig, DJing didn’t come easy.
Expensive technology was a big roadblock. “When I was in Boston, a vinyl record used to cost around $11 - which is why I never thought about DJing even though I wanted to.”
His opportunity arrived with the advent of new technology. Jockeys were now using the more affordable CDs instead of records. “That’s when I decided; this is it!”
When Baig returned to Pakistan from the US, he couldn’t find many local DJs. “At the time, Junaid Mumtaz was the only one trying to build that culture in Pakistan.” It wasn’t long before DJ software became available making the art and profession became far more accessible to a whole new generation.
“Now I see young crowds seeking out DJs. Pakistanis have a newfound interest in DJing as a career path too.”
Baig says he finds many youngsters wondering what the formula for success in this industry is. “I tell them to do it for the music and music alone. Never sacrifice their artistic integrity.”
Baig believes there are no shortcuts. Anyone who has succeeded in their chosen fields or has left their mark on the world had real value to offer. “DJing is no different. If you want to succeed, you must have a solid understanding of music. Because technology has made everything so easy, people think DJing is just about pressing buttons. Many DJs in Pakistan choose this career because it is easier than playing an instrument.”
Every DJ who inspired Baig to get into this profession was a musician.
“Take DJing away from them, and they are trained musicians or studio experts. A solid understanding of music backs their DJ skills. That’s what makes them so great at their work.”
International DJs recognize this rising trend in Pakistan. Big names of the DJing world are visiting Pakistan frequently to perform in front of large crowds.
“I never thought I’d be playing along some of my idols right here in Pakistan. We’ve had superstar DJs like Sander Kleinenberg, Jimmy Van M, and Anthony Pappa. They are all living legends of electronic music. In November 2018, we had Nick Muir from Bedrock, Darin Epsilon and Nick Devon here for a week and did a few shows in Lahore in front of an enthralled audience.”
Faisal Baig says his next target is to shift electronic music from nightlife to concerts and to create a bigger awareness and fanbase of electronic music in Pakistan.