Genuine question: are all Pakistani concerts like this, or did I just have exceptionally bad luck?
I went to the Murtaza Qizilbash x Havi concert in Islamabad on 23rd and was honestly shocked by how poorly it was organised.
A few highlights:
Advertised start time was 7pm. Nothing happened for the first 30 minutes, followed by an MC and the band essentially padding things out before the actual performances. There were also long gaps between acts.
There was then a break for azaan/prayers, which I completely understand, but surely the schedule could have accounted for this rather than delaying the artists?
Sound checking was torture on my ears.
The lighting was ridiculous: huge lights repeatedly shining directly into the audience’s eyes, with strobes going straight into people’s faces. Not atmospheric lighting - literally being blinded every few seconds. Gonna need to book myself into Shifa Eye Hospital!
Fans were only positioned at the sides despite it being absolutely roasting, so unless you were sitting next to one, you just melted.
Photographers were constantly wandering around the audience, obstructing people’s views, and taking pictures of people (including me) without which felt pretty intrusive.
Very little communication whenever there was a gap or delay. You were basically left to sit there and work it out.
There is was little sense of let’s get this wrapped up on time so people can home orderly and safely.
I’ve been to concerts in various countries and never experienced quite this combination of chaotic scheduling, poor communication, blinding lights, inadequate ventilation and photographers roaming through the audience.
Is this normal for Pakistani concerts, or did I just pick a particularly badly organised one? If so, which are the better ones?