REPORT
I
With strings attached:
Multiple producers to
helm Coke Studio 9
t hasn’t been long since Strings seized the steering
wheel of a music show that had already become one
of the most exciting ventures in the region’s entertainment industry in recent times. But only after two years
since the Strings duo took charge, it has been revealed
that Coke Studio 9 will be helmed by not two but five
or more producers. Talking to BOOM, multiple sources
confirmed that the authorities at the show’s sponsor
have given the green light to a total revamp of the formula that made South Asia’s largest music show what it is
today. Taking the route that India’s Coke Studio @ MTV
took after its debut season, Coke Studio season 9 will
feature multiple
producers working independently on their own
episodes
with
creative control
over their respective content.
The season finale
will see all the different approaches converge into
a showstopper
episode. “All producers will now
work on their
own episodes. I
think Strings will
oversee the entire process as
mentors,” said a
singer and music producer. Requesting anonymity, the
source added the last episode will be put together by all
the producers, who will contribute in the shape of one
song each. “Five to six producers will be part of the show,”
said a star performer of Coke Studio.Rumours about the
show changing hands were rife for the past one month,
with most of the show’s regular performers remaining
tight-lipped about any possible developments. However,
an artist who has been on the show, said, “Strings approached five different producers because they feared
losing the contract for their third possible stint. The response for their two seasons was lukewarm. With more
people on board, the risk will be shared by everyone and
Strings will not be scapegoated.” The source said the
new format was locked only recently and most producers have already put pen to paper.
In the running
There is certainly no dearth of music producers in the
country. With the film industry gaining ground, more and
more people have in the recent past tried their hands
at making music for films. Pop and rock acts such as
Strings, Noori and Shiraz Uppal have attempted to diversify with soundtracks of movies, such as Moor and Karachi Se Lahore. Even OST producer Waqar Ali worked on
the music of Wrong No. Former Awaz member Faakhir
recently produced Shakar Wandaan Re and Khush Piya
for Asim Raza’s upcoming film Ho Mann Jahaan.
Nonetheless, a major concern over the past two years
has been the
Karachi-Lahore
divide. Artists
of Lahore have
vehemently
slammed
the
‘Karachi-centric
approach’
of
the show on
the social media. Their concerns could be
addressed
if
the
producer
line-up is wellbalanced this
time
around.
Lahore-based
musicians,
such as Mekaal
Hasan, Sahir
Ali Bagga and Shuja Haider, are all capable of contributing to the show as producers. Mekaal recently helmed
the I Am Karachi music festival and his musical prowess
is recognised all around. Both Sahir and Shuja have ample experience working on acclaimed film soundtracks.
It will, beyond doubt, be difficult for the authorities to finalise the production team. When approached, Public
Affairs and Communications Director for Pakistan and
Afghanistan at Coca Cola, Fahad Qadir, said, “Coke
Studio 8 was a record-breaking season, something we
are extremely proud of.” He added that currently, various
options for the next season are being discussed. “So
far, I cannot confirm any specific changes for the year
ahead.” Both Bilal Maqsood and Faisal Kapadia could
not be reached for comment despite repeated attempts.
15 | BOOM