Just got an SMS from music journalist Insiya:

Tune in for Bryan Adams exclusive interview on CityFm89 at 1800 hours. The show will be hosted by myself alongside RJ Mahvesh. Don’t miss it!

- Insiya Syed

Don’t miss it for sure - because Insiya is one journalist who isn’t airy. One of the few who I actually like to read in Images. And not because she’s my pal. But she’s my pal because. Tune in now!

(Yes, there are other things to do beyond Bryan Adams. But this is for the ones interested in him.)

Those three magical hours were truly like heaven on earth for those who attended. As promised I have composed a collage of all images that I could get hold of the concert.

Credit for the pictures goes out to Inspirex, Arsalan Haleem, Omar Qureshi and the rest from my own camera. Due to size limitation on the pop-up image at KMB I have uploaded a larger version on my blog (Teeth Maestro) for all to enjoy

While approximately 15000 Karachiites (and some eager Lahoris and Islooites also) rocked to the Bryan Adams concert at the Arabian Sea, a different kind of people banded together at the Forum parking lot for a great exhibition of vintage cars which exist in our city today. A day long presentation of the cars, immaculately kept, shining brightly in their showcased beauty, was put up by The Vintage and Classic Car Club of Pakistan. The entrance was free, stalls aplenty and coupled with the nippy Karachi evenings, it was an ideal spot for friends to be haning out and families to be walking around.

This Sunday in Karachi was a good one it seems, where several different things happening in different parts of the city meant that everyone had something to do, whether it was to rock at a concert, to walk at seaview looking at the fountain, take a trip down memory lane in the cars or simply enjoy some time at home.

All the anticipation and excitement was well worth the wait, as tonight Karachi truly rocked in unison at the Bryan Adams Concert. The high ticket price still drew in a massive crowd and estimates of 10,000 were quite realistic, it seems the steep price, the 40km distance to the venue, and iron-clad security were probably the main deterring factors keeping the nuisance crowd away. The organisers went to extreme measures to make sure the event proceeds smoothly and full credit goes out to each and every volunteer in the effort.

The security was iron-clad tight with vehicle inspection being conducted by the armed force a well 2 km from the venue with organised queues, we then parked our cars in the dustiest, but ample, parking space and were escorted into organized screening areas which was being operated very efficiently.

Being the first ever international mega-scale concert in Pakistan it was truly worth remembering and will be the buzz word around town for a good few weeks. We would remember the well behaved crowds, the truly amazing singing, the hundreds of cell phones, capturing the concert live and not to forget the massive dose of dust accumulated on top of every vehicle parked in the parking lot. For tonight any car driving on the streets of Karachi coated with a massive layer of dust, basically is a testament to HAVE BEEN THERE, a trademark for having attended the Concert. Karachi you have again made us proud.

For those who attended the concert do narrate your views in the comment section below so that we all can share our experiences.

For those proceeding to attend Bryan Adams Concert on Sunday at the Arabian Sea Country Club it is a good 40km drive and nearly an hour away so I would recommend to plan accordingly.

The official buzz is that the concert is slated to commence at 7:30pm sharp with a few speeches, and an initial start by Shehzad Roy and then a two hour show by Bryan Adams. 7:30 somehow seems un-Karachi-like and rumors are that it would naturally be delayed.

Lets find out from those concert-goers as to what time do they plan to reach the venue. As we all know it is being organized in typical WoodStock style and the earlier you get in the better the seats but if it results in spending a few good hours in the sun, that just might not be too fun after all. I again thank Arsalan Haleem for providing the link to the Map to the Arabian Sea Country Club, for those who have not been there have a look at the map it is quite easy to follow

No more speculation, the Bryan Adams concert tickets finally reached McDonald’s outlets across Karachi. I myself got hold of a few tickets from McDonald’s Tariq Road. The tickets are reasonably counterfeit proof as they are not paper based but made on those plastic coated cards (Like Jazz cards) with a security hologram and bar code included.

The purchase was not all that clean-cut-smooth as I was lead to a table along with an ARY rep who had me fill out a few forms. The sales rep informed me the only way to buy tickets was for me to apply for the ARY Sahulat (Sucker) Card and I had to surrender my contact details (ID card number & Phone numbers). It really sounded like a scam to gather as many customers into the scheme via a popular event, (ARY is a major sponsor but I feel the card should not be compulsory but should be an option). The sales rep kept on ranting that the ticket is technically *free* as the 3500 is only a security deposit towards the card, only refundable after you spend Rs 100,000 on the Salhulat Card (WOW- what a deal). I almost had the inkling to walk off but those tempting tickets held me bolted onto the chair.

The guidelines say that the gates will open at 3:00pm and close at 7:00pm (Sharp) I honestly doubt they can ever follow this timetable - my guess is the concert will barely start by 10:00.

Recommendation to other potential concert go-ers I would ask you to give the sales rep a run for his money and try to get those tickets without getting stuck in the ARY Sucker Card. Thumbs up if you succeed

Let really make this a night to remember Karachi

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Update 21st Jan : Sources have confirmed that tickets could be delayed by an additional day to probably come on sale either on Sunday or Monday 22nd or 23rd
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For those waiting to pick up those tickets from the McDonald’s outlets across Karachi, hold your horses they have been delayed by a day and are now planned to hit the streets on the 21st…..as reported by our informant Arsalan Haleem ;).

For many of us looking at the steep price of Rs. 3500 it at first seems high but do consider that all the profits go towards a good cause, keep in mind if you were to attend such a concert in the states you are bound to pay anything upwards of $50 which is the average ticket price so lets not kill ourselves complaining at the price, you get to hear Bryan Adams right here in Karachi for almost the same money.

Consider the immediate benefits - You don’t even have to go to the US Embassy in Islamabad and appear for an Interview. Imagine yourself saying to the Immigration officer, “Sirree.. I wanted to go to the Amrika because I have always dream about looking at Bryan Adams concert…… A boot in the ass along with the big bold REJECTION stamp would be the most likely exit from the embassy doors.
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Just recently Zindagi Trust launched a website to provide all updated information to the concert go-ers. Check out the rules and regulations on the website A Night to Remember with Bryan Adams

I would like to extend a warm Thank you to Arsalan Haleem one of our very regular readers who continues to keep us updated on the Bryan Adams Concert.

Rock on Karachi

Bryan Adams’ concert tickets will be available from 20th Jan at all McDonald outlets located throughout Karachi.

The cost will Rs. 3,500 and there won’t be any categories, just a single one. It will be a standing only event as the organisers are expecting some 15K to 20K people. For further information pls drop me an email - leemarse@hotmail.com.

Arsalaan Haleem
Volunteer for Zindagi Trust.
Email: leemarse@hotmail.com

bryan adams performed nearby (in toronto) recently. it was probably a much bigger show but it’s the one in karachi that i want to be at! so hope this show actually happens and he doesn’t back out like (apparently?) khaled did a few years ago because he freaked out last minute! i hope this starts a trend of international stars performing regularly in our part of the world. a big cheer for adams and i know karachi will ROCK!