With COVID-19 came all the social distancing measures and closure of almost all public places like cinemas, theatres and concerts. So we thought we recall highlights from the most nostalgic concert we have ever been to in Canada. And yes, it’s the Junoon 2019 Reunion in Toronto that mesmerized Canadians on November 1, 2019 at the CAA in Brampton, Ontario.
Junoon has been a world-renowned Sufi rock band. Junoon is Pakistan’s and one of South Asia’s most successful bands; the Q magazine regarded them as “One of the biggest bands in the world” and The New York Times called Junoon “the U2 of Pakistan”. Since their inception, the group has released a collective total of nineteen albums: seven studio albums; one soundtrack; two live albums; four video albums; and five compilations. They have sold over 30 million copies worldwide.
Junoon performs a blend of western music and classical eastern poetry. Junoon aimed to combine loud guitar riffs with the tranquillity of Sufi poetry by the likes of Maulana Rumi, Shah Hussain, Bulleh Shah (in the song “Bulleya”) and Allama Iqbal. Their music has been based on worldly issues and to have peace in the world. Their music has been one major force that has truly kept the national spirits high amidst the prevailing social woes which have surely worsened in the last three decades. Songs like “Jazba-e-Junoon”, “Talaash”, “Main Kaun Hoon” and “Sayonee” are examples.
Junoon is not just a band of musicians, they are an era, a phenomenon and nostalgia that we have lived through the years. In 2019, they announced a reunion tour that took them out of Pakistan to the UK, USA, tour’s final concert in Toronto Canada.
Ali Azmat recently relived the “Dama Dam Mast Qalandar” performance in Toronto and shared it on his official Facebook page.
We leave you with few highlights from the reunion concert that was not only sold out, but where Ali Azmat, Salman Ahmad and Brian O’Connell performed non-stop for over three hours.
Do not even think of missing a Junoon concert if they ever come back to perform at a location near you.
Cover Photo: MainstreamCanadian
