The Pakistani band Jal returned to Bangladesh for the first time in 14 years, but their concert quickly descended into chaos, prompting the organizers to call in the military for crowd control. The event, titled “Legends of the Decade,” took place at Jamuna Future Park after heavy rainfall forced a last-minute venue change from the originally scheduled Dhaka Arena.
What was meant to be a memorable night of music turned disappointing as Jal’s performance was cut short due to poor management, technical glitches, and an unruly crowd. Fans, many of whom lacked tickets, overwhelmed the packed venue, peering from railings across all eight floors of the mall. As Goher Mumtaz started his emotional rendition of the iconic ‘Aadat,’ authorities abruptly halted the show, leaving the audience stunned and without a proper farewell.
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Despite the disorganization, local band Vikings performed fan favorites like ‘Bhalobashi Jaare,’ but their set was marred by sound system issues, making it difficult for the audience to fully enjoy the performance. The concert, which had already faced logistical challenges from the venue switch, was compounded by the fact that the mall remained open to the public, leading to further crowd confusion.
Attempts to manage the growing chaos ultimately failed, necessitating military intervention to restore order. Ironically, an organizer had assured media the night before that the safety of attendees was the top priority.
Amid the turmoil, Jal did manage to create a moment of unity as the crowd sang along to ‘Woh Lamhey,’ though it was not enough to mask the overall disappointment of the evening. The band performed an unreleased song before exiting, offering fans a glimmer of hope despite the tumultuous experience.
Aurthohin also took the stage, albeit an hour late, delivering powerful performances that captivated the audience, though it marked Mahaan Fahim’s last show with the band due to health complications. The band later shared a message wishing him a speedy recovery.
What was anticipated as a celebratory night of music turned into a frustrating experience for fans, overshadowed by mismanagement and chaos. Ultimately, while the loyal audience remained until the end, they left with mixed emotions, yearning for what could have been a triumphant return for Jal.
