Manchester’s vibrant music scene welcomed Dr Salman Shahid on Saturday night with the launch of his debut album, “Reflection” at The Lighthouse, Red Rock Stockport. The air crackled with that familiar Mancunian energy – a blend of anticipation and genuine support for a local artist on the rise. The evening kicked off with an amazing red carpet VIP meet and greet session with Salman Shahid. The Red Carpet event was hosted by Mr Mani Liaqat. The venue itself, The Lighthouse Cinema provided a great backdrop.
The evening continued with an interview with Salman hosted by radio presenter for BBC Asian Network Mr Kan D Man. When Salman Shahid took the stage, the atmosphere shifted. There was a palpable sense of excitement, a feeling that we were witnessing the start of something special. “Reflection” is an album that wears its influences well, drawing on cultural influences from UK, Pakistan and India, the legacy of Pop Music of Pakistan from the 90s , the influence of Bollywood music and modern musical influences of the 21st century.
Tracks like Chand Sitaray, Habibi, Baby, Dil Chanda , Khamoshi and others showcased Shahid’s strengths including his soulful vocal delivery, a knack for crafting catchy melodies, and lyrical observations that resonated with his listeners.
He spoke about the inspiration behind the songs, his musical journey, why he made this album, his voice carrying a genuine passion that’s often a hallmark of an artist who has a deep understanding of music. Salman introduced his team to the audience including director Akash Lazarus and his team, music producer Alex Shebaz, and Lelya Ucar starred in one of his videos. He also acknowledged all those who were part of the album but couldn’t attend on the evening.
A wonderful BTS documentary was also released by Akash as a surprise for Salman , which was very well made and thoroughly enjoyed by the audience. Yours Truly ‘AB’ was also in it for which I am grateful to Akash.
In the second half of the show Salman performed a selection of songs from his album. Shahid’s singing style has a raw honesty that connects with the crowd. The audience responded in kind, with enthusiastic applause and the occasional singalong, creating a real sense of shared experience.
Salman’s performance was both polished and energetic. The sound mix was very good, allowing Shahid’s vocals to cut through, the lighting and crowd interactions added to the overall ambience.
“Reflection” is a promising debut, hinting at a depth and potential that suggests a bright future for Salman Shahid. The songs capture a sense of place – a feeling of Manchester, with all its grit, beauty, and energy. The launch party was more than just a gig; it was a celebration of a doctor’s passion and talent, and a testament to the city’s enduring love for live music. It’s fantastic to see the efforts Salman has made to collaborate with artists from India and Pakistan. This a wonderful feature of the album with collaborations with artists from India such as Sumedha Karmahe , Prabhjee Kaur and Pakistani singer Nirmal Roy.
Well done Salman. It’s truly wonderful to share our common passion for music and to see you launch an incredible array of songs and videos. Amazing music produced by Salman, Alex Shabaz and Qasim Azhar.
The videos directed by Akash give a cinematic vibe. The locations from Morocco, London, Karachi and Mumbai are beautifully shot and all videos are made with high fidelity aesthetics in mind. Well done Akash and your team.
Great work by Salman Shahid, Akash Lazarus, Alex Shabaz, Faiza Salman, Saad Salman, Mani Liaqat, AmplifiedmediaUK, ME Records, Vinay Mundra, Smash Parties, NVRLND Events and Entertainment, Kan D Man, Ashish Lazarus, Leyla Ucar, Maria Taylor, Kaz, Faizan, Fritz Sound and others. It was wonderful to be part of the team and occasion. Thank you for the opportunity and invitation. A very well organised event indeed. Great afterparty as well.
All the best!
Dr Amir Burney