“It is so disrespectful to treat an international band this way.”
The Legends of the Decade concert, featuring Jal ended up in what was deemed as “chaotic”.
It was initially scheduled for September 27, 2024, but faced cancellation due to heavy rain.
However, the event featuring prominent Bangladeshi bands Aurthohin, Vikings, and Conclusion along with Jal was rescheduled for September 28, with a new venue.
Despite thorough preparations, the organisers opted to postpone the concert just hours before it was set to begin.
It was announced during an emergency press conference. They later revealed that the concert would take place at the North Centre Court of Jamuna Future Park in Dhaka.
Unfortunately, the sudden venue change led to logistical issues, and the organisers, Assen Buzz and Xirconium, were unable to ensure adequate security.
As a result, chaos ensued when hundreds of unruly fans stormed the venue.
The situation quickly deteriorated, prompting the authorities to call in the army to manage the crowd.
A freelance photographer who was on site to cover the event reported:
“I can’t stand in here, let alone take photos. People have broken in, and it’s extremely chaotic.”
Another attendee expressed his disappointment, saying:
“They brought an international band to a mall to perform. It was a total joke.
“Organisers started taking selfies with the band mid-show, while Jal had to ask 20 times for a light to be turned off.”
This lack of professionalism marred the experience for many concert-goers.
The concert continued amidst the chaos, with multiple skirmishes breaking out between organisers and fans who had forced their way in.
Observers noted that throughout the first half of the concert, the bands were not even provided basic necessities like drinking water. This frustrated the performers.
Aurthohin, led by Bassbaba Sumon, managed to maintain composure despite sound and lighting deficiencies, delivering a passionate performance.
However, the event took a turn for the worse when Jal was abruptly halted mid-set, leaving many fans furious.
A Bangladeshi fan commented: “It is so disrespectful to treat an international band this way.”
Anondo Chowdhury, CEO of Assen Buzz, acknowledged the challenges brought on by the venue change.
He stated: “We knew that deviating from our original plan at Dhaka Arena would be a problem.
“We had every precaution taken there and simply could not accommodate those at a mall.”
He further stated that safety concerns forced the organisers to stop the performances.
The disarray at the concert has reignited discussions about the frequent mismanagement of events in the region.
Many are calling for a better organisation to ensure that poorly arranged concerts like Legends of the Decade don’t become the norm.
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