Jal’s “Legends of the Decade” concert in Dhaka on Saturday was overshadowed by crowd disturbances and organisational issues, prompting the Bangladesh army to be called in to manage the situation.
The band, who was performing in Bangladesh after 14 years, was forced to halt their performance midway due to the chaos.
Hundreds of fans gathered at the venue, Jamuna Future Park, a shopping mall in the capital. Reports from The Business Standard stated that a temporary roof above the north court was removed, contributing to the disorder. Fans were packed into every available space, even crowding the elevators.
The concert also celebrated the 20th anniversary of Jal’s debut album, Aadat, which significantly influenced the South Asian pop-rock scene. In addition to Jal, the event marked the return of Aurthohin, one of Bangladesh’s most cherished bands, after a year-long break from performing.
The concert was initially scheduled for September 27 but had to be postponed due to heavy rain just hours before the event. It was subsequently relocated to a different venue, as reported by The Daily Star.
During the concert, several altercations occurred between organizers and individuals who attempted to enter the venue forcefully. This situation escalated to the point where mall authorities had to call in the army for crowd control.
Also, read this
Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s ‘lost album’ released 30 years after recording
Sanam Marvi to collaborate with Indian music director AR Rahman soon
In his Instagram stories, the lead singer wrote that thanked his fans and orgaisers for the event.
“Over 10,000 crowd wouldn’t have been easier for local security to handle. So that’s why the army and government took over,” he added. “The immediate outdoor venue shift was also a challenge for organisers due to excessive rain. I want to thank Bangladesh’s government and its army for taking care of the situation. I respect and adore you guys and know that some of you travelled from different cities to see the show but for me, your lives are much more important than anything. Until next time. Love you all,” he said.
