FES – The highly anticipated Sami Yusuf concert at the Fes sacred Music Festival on Saturday turned into a night of chaos and disappointment for many fans. Despite purchasing tickets in advance, numerous attendees were unable to gain entry to the venue, resulting in frustration and anger among the crowd.
In a heartfelt message on his Instagram account , the artist expressed his devastation over the situation. “I can’t begin to tell you how devastated I am that this happened to you. I know many of you came from far and bought tickets early. Even if you came from Fes itself and bought tickets late, this should never have happened,” he said.
For many who witnessed the chaotic scenes, the root of the problem stemmed from poor organization and mismanagement
Many have lamented, for example, that the number of tickets printed far exceeded the venue’s capacity. In addition, critics have suggested, a significant portion of the excess tickets were distributed to sponsors and other affiliates.
This over-allocation led to overcrowding and chaotic scenes as legitimate ticket holders struggled to get inside the concert venue.
Sami Yusuf artist addressed these issues directly in his Instagram statement, highlighting — and apologizing for — the distress caused to fans who had to physically struggle to enter the venue.
“To those of you ticket holders who were caught in crowds and who had to argue and physically struggle in order to finally get inside, this was an appalling situation,” he wrote.
Read also: Ensemble Madalena and Sami Yusuf Draw Huge Crowds at the Fez World Sacred Music festival
Witnesses described scenes of confusion and disorder, with security personnel overwhelmed by the sheer number of attendees.
Many fans who had traveled long distances were left stranded outside the concert venue, unable to witness the performance they had eagerly anticipated.
The artist, known for his strong connection with his audience, emphasized his disappointment and solidarity with the affected fans.
“I hope you know that I share a bond with my audience. You made an effort to come to see me; and I wanted to see you, too,” he said.
In a pointed message to the venue management team, the artist demanded accountability and compensation for his mistreated fans: “To the Venue Management team I can only ask: How could you let this happen?! And what recompense are you making to my fans who were treated so badly?”
The Fes Sacred Music Festival, renowned for its diverse lineup and cultural significance, has faced significant backlash following Saturday’s incident.
Fans have taken to social media to voice their dissatisfaction, calling for better organization and accountability for future editions of the prestigious festival.
As the dust settles on Saturday’s chaotic scenes, the spotlight is now on the festival organizers to address these issues and ensure that such an incident does not happen again.
The artist’s message has resonated deeply with fans, many of whom have said they are still waiting for a formal response and corrective measures from the event’s management team.
