RAWALPINDI: Live music returned to Karachi on Saturday night with the first socially distanced concert the Pakistani seaside metropolis held since the coronavirus outbreak forced restrictions on mass gatherings.
The organizer of "Comeback Karachi," music and events production agency Salt Arts, put in place precautionary measures in accordance with health guidelines issued by the National Command and Operation Center (NCOC), the apex body that oversees Pakistan's COVID-19 efforts.
“None of us in the entertainment sector have produced a show with such limitations, this is in fact a huge learning experience for us as a team, and an earnest effort at reviving our work as a sector,” Raania Azam Khan Durrani, chief executive of Salt Arts, told Arab News.
She said the experience was not only a learning opportunity, but also "an earnest effort at reviving work in the entertainment sector."
Saturday's concert that featured electronic dance music artists Somewhat Super and classical fusion artists Khumariyan saw roughly 500 attendees. The venue, Beach Luxury Hotel Gardens, before the pandemic would normally accommodate 2,500 people. The capacity was reduced to make social distancing measures possible.
Much of the event's success was attributed by the organizer to smooth cooperation with the audience.
“We have said it since the first day that audience partnership is the key to this project,” Durrani said. "Following the ground rules and NCOC guidelines is mandatory and we request our audiences to cooperate."
Leading up to the event, Salt Arts proactively released their antivirus rules with infographics to explain to the audience how they should behave to keep everyone safe.
Waist-high bamboo dividers between rows and pink lights scattered on the ground directed participants where they should stand. Each row had an assigned bouncer who enforced mask-wearing.
Attendees were enthusiastic, happy to enjoy live music after more than six months since concerts have been suspended
“It was amazing to see the energy of music buzzing through Karachi once again and really inspiring, encouraging to see artists being able to express themselves after so long. Makes you realize that art is nothing without its people,” comedian Amtul Baweja told Arab News.
“I felt very safe,” said Anum Fahim, a student living in Karachi. "They had thermal checks when walking in and made sure each person had a mask and sanitizer on them before entry, also at the end of every bamboo lanes there was a bouncer who made sure only a certain number of people per lane went in and out."
Health experts are, however, concerned about the safety of such events during the pandemic.
“Most of the vectors of transmission are asymptomatic individuals,” Dr. Saqib Malik, an infectious disease specialist, told Arab News.
“Generally, when we talk or sing or scream that’s when we aerosolize the virus, so in theory that’s not really risk-free — masks and a reduced capacity can help but they are not bulletproof.”
