MARQUETTE—Junoon, hailed as “the U2 of Pakistan” and “South Asia’s answer to Santana,” will bring a rousing end to the UNITED Conference while simultaneously kicking off the Northern Michigan University International Performing Arts Series. The concert is slated for 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, in Kaufman Auditorium.

Junoon produces a mixture of western rock and traditional Punjabi and Urdu folk melodies to create the original sound of Sufi rock. The band’s rhythms are also inspired by music legends such as Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. 

Known for blending a powerful, arena rock sound with the epic tranquility of Sufi love poetry, Junoon has sold more than 25 million albums worldwide. The group has also shared the stage with artists such as Melissa Etheridge, Alicia Keys, Sting, Earth Wind and Fire and Wyclef Jean. Band founder Salman Ahmad recently co-wrote and recorded a song with award-winning artist Etheridge called “Ring The Bells.”

            Junoon has performed at diverse venues like the United Nations General Assembly Hall—the first performance of its kind—and the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in Oslo. In May 2008, Junoon defied death threats from militants to perform in the ethereal valley of Kashmir. Ahmad has organized a Concert for Pakistan at the UN Assembly Hall in New York to benefit victims of the conflict in northern Pakistan.