Alliance Française de Karachi brought together French and Pakistani musicians for a vibrant evening of live music. The International Music Fest, Fête de la Musique 2026, was held at Karachi’s iconic Arts Council.
The event was part of the globally celebrated Fête de la Musique festival and drew an enthusiastic crowd throughout.
It featured a diverse lineup of local and international artists performing across multiple genres for attending audiences.
Performers included Areeb Ali Khan, Akhri Cigarette, Saffron Sweaters, French singer-songwriter Clément Visage and DJ SQLN.
Fête de la Musique is one of Alliance Française’s flagship annual events celebrating music as a universal language.
The event aims to foster closer cultural ties between the French and Pakistani communities through shared artistic experiences.
Singer-songwriter, producer and music educator Areeb Ali Khan opened the evening with his acoustic guitar in hand.
He delivered an intimate and warm set featuring a selection of his own original compositions for the audience.
Among the pieces he performed was his recently released single ‘Safar’, which set a gentle and inviting tone.
The energy shifted considerably when Karachi-based alternative rock outfit Akhri Cigarette stepped onto the stage next.
The band is well known for its commanding live presence and they did not disappoint the waiting crowd.
They performed original music backed by soaring electric guitar riffs that had the audience thoroughly engaged throughout.
The undeniable highlight of their set was a powerful rendition of Prince’s iconic 1984 classic ‘Purple Rain’.
The crowd erupted with enthusiastic cheers and many audience members sang along to the timeless track.
Ambient music duo Saffron Sweaters then took the stage, bringing a completely different atmosphere to the evening altogether. The Karachi-based duo is made up of childhood friends and musicians Maaz Muhammed and Saad Akbar performing together.
They delivered a deeply atmospheric set that reflected the cinematic soundscapes that have come to define their artistic identity. Their debut full-length album, Skardu, released through Cape Monze Records, drew inspiration from the landscapes of northern Pakistan. The mood shifted again as DJ SQLN stepped in and transformed the Arts Council venue into a full dance floor.
An eclectic mix of electronic beats had the crowd moving, and the energy inside the venue grew increasingly vibrant.
French artist Clément Visage then took the stage as the final performer, bringing an unmistakably international flavour to the event.