For centuries, it was a magnet for artists across the region and churned out Iraqs best musicians -- but recent years saw Mosul suffer a devastating musical purge, said an AFP report on Wednesday. For three years until last summer, the sprawling northern city was under the brutal rule of the ISIS terror group. In imposing a city-wide ban on playing or even listening to music, the extremists smashed and torched instruments. "It was impossible to bring my instrument with me whenever I left the house," said city resident Fadel al-Badri, who hid his precious violin from the rampaging fighters. Foreshadowing ISIS repression, the 2000s saw Al-Qaeda and other groups oppress the locals, said AFP. But with Mosul freed from the grip of ISIS in July 2017, Iraqs second city is embarking on a musical comeback. "After the liberation, songs are back where they truly belong in Mosul," said Badri, welcoming the return of evening celebrations and festivals. The 45-year old violinist now has the pleasure of playing in public once more to an audience that claps hands and sings along to traditional local tunes. Mosul has a rich musical history. It is the home city of Ziryab, a musician who introduced the oud -- the oriental lute popular across the Arab world -- to Europe in the 9th century. One of its more recent musical prodigies is Kazem al-Saher, the Iraqi crooner-turned-talent judge known around the region. The city even has its own special genre of Arabic ballads, recognized across Iraq and beyond. From folkloric shows and philharmonic concerts to weddings and other national holidays, song and dance have traditionally filled the streets and surrounding air. But that meant nothing to ISIS, which ravaged Mosuls heritage -- musical and otherwise -- when it took the city as part of a lightning offensive across Iraq in 2014. The extremists began by destroying the statue of celebrated ballad virtuoso Mulla Uthman al-Mosuli, and then turned their attention to destroying instruments across the city. ISIS also forced musicians in Mosul to sign a pledge that they would never play or sing again, which was then posted in public places, said AFP. Singer Ahmed al-Saher, 33, said it was humiliating. "I couldnt leave Mosul after they made me sign because of my sick mother. I had to stay here under all that pressure and fear of the unknown," he recalled. Ordinary residents, as well as musicians, are keen to celebrate the return of artistic freedom. "Terrorism failed in killing Mosulites love for art in all forms. Its been born again, despite the destruction," said Amneh al-Hayyali according to AFP. The 38-year-old brought her husband, son, and daughter to watch a late-night concert in a cultural center in east Mosul. But bringing Mosuls artistic scene back to its former heyday will not be easy. Tahsin Haddad, who heads the local artists syndicate, said he is keen to support public arts across the province. "But we are in huge need of support from the central government in Baghdad, especially because Mosul currently has no stages, movie theaters, or art spaces," he told AFP. Without these venues, artists play in local cafes and public squares. Celebrated Iraqi musician Karim Wasfi recently performed in a Mosul park where ISIS once infamously trained its child soldiers. Earlier this month, Iraqi artists from around the country swarmed to the city for a cultural festival at Mosul University. Performers stomped the dabkeh -- a traditional Arabic line dance -- and painters brought their works to display on the campus. Glamorous Iraqi artist Adiba traveled from Baghdad with an entourage of peers. "I am so happy to be in Mosul, singing here after it was freed from the grip" of ISIS, she said, moments before stepping on stage. "Artists -- Iraqi, Arab, foreign -- should all come play festivals here."