I had low expectations given previous rfak performances, but since it was sold as a tribute to nfak i expected it to be more of a traditional performance. The first half was not traditional qawwali at all, though I understand he's gotta market himself and his work. The first half is rfak singing to drums, clarinet, 2 keyboards, 2 guitars. There are tablas in the back but not really doing anything. Even the crowd was like let's get past this segment please, as rfak assured the crowd the second segment would be traditional.
after the break, the second segment began with a larger stage, 2 harmoniums and the traditional qawwali set up. But here was the issue: The clarinet player, while amazingly talented, kinda ruined the set and this clarinet player jumped in playing in EVERY song! Additionally, the drummer also played throughout the second set, even though there was a tabla and dhol player, and the bass drum and cymbals drowned out a lot of the traditional music, particularly during the refrains. Lastly, both guitarists, electric and acoustic, continued as well, so basically when there was a chorus line, like (tumhe dillahi bhool...), it was hard drumming, electric guitaring, and every so often the clarinet guy ALONG WITH rfak and the qawwali party and at some point it was just noise.
