Jal's return in Bangladesh: A nostalgia-filled reunion

After 14 long years, the Pakistani rock band Jal is set to perform in Bangladesh. The nostalgia that returns with them is immense. However, given the recent record of foreign artists performing in Bangladesh, the question looms large, "Will Jal be able to meet the expectations of their eager fans?"

There are really a handful of people among the Millenials (1981 to 1996) and Gen-Zs (1997 to 2010) who didn't listen to "Aadat". It's Jal's debut album's title track. The band's debut album, "Aadat", was released in 2004, featuring hit songs like "Lamhe," "Aadat," "Panchi," and "Bikhra Hoon Main," which gained rapid popularity.

The Pakistani musicians Goher Mumtaz and Atif Aslam decided to form a band in 2002. Omar Nadeem and Salman Albert joined the Jal group the next year. The band also enjoys a strong fan base in Bangladesh. 

Foreign artists' concerts in Bangladesh have been a mixed bag. While there have been some memorable performances, the overall experience has often left audiences feeling dissatisfied.

Overcrowded venues, inadequate facilities, excessive ticket prices and unfair treatment of general ticket holders compared to VIP ticket holders, the list of complaints seems endless.

We won't even have to go that far. Remember last time? When one of the founding members of Jal, Atif Aslam came to Bangladesh? Though people were pleased with the performance, the management was a mess. People were packed like sardines. The VIP section covered the view of the general ticket holders. 

"There was bad management, Masha Islam made an uproar about the slot, they are still in dispute, the concert started 1.5 hours late, parking space was inadequate, and there was only one way for entry and exit. And everything else was fine if you know, you know," stated Moontasir Nasim, an Atif Aslam fan.

It's no wonder that many fans have taken to Facebook to rant about their frustrations. So, what can we expect from Jal's performance? Is this going to be an evening filled with happiness and nostalgia, or is it going to be just another dissatisfaction waiting to happen? The answer will come forth. But our expectations should certainly be lowered if history is any guide.

Thanks to the mismanagement, Badshah and Otilia's concerts also ended with dissatisfaction. Their performance was somewhat good. However, the management ruined the fun. 

People were ranting all over Facebook afterwards. It may be time for organizers to take a step back and reevaluate their management. They need to prioritize the comfort of their audience rather than just focusing on maximizing profits. By providing adequate facilities, fair treatment, and a memorable experience, they can ensure that future concerts are a success.

The organizers for this show called "Legends of the Decade" are 'Assen' and 'Xirconium'. Their history is pretty good. The show they organized with Anjan Dutt was a good experience. Enough food and beverage stalls, a decent crowd, and VIP ticket holders didn't ruin regular ticket holders' views.

However, there's no denying that Jal's return is special. It's an opportunity to explore past experiences and forge new ones. Thus, let us anticipate the worst and pray for the best. In the event that everything else fails, we can always laugh at other people's misery by scrolling through our Facebook feeds.

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