KUALA LUMPUR: Barbarik guitarist Jo Branko believes the abrupt conclusion of Wali Band’s performance at the RadjaWali Live in Malaysia concert in Petaling Jaya recently should be viewed through the lens of time management and venue regulation compliance.
Jo, whose real name is Abdul Zamin Abdul Kadir, stated that effective time management is a fundamental element of concert organisation and must be adhered to by all parties, including artistes, organisers, and venue operators.
“In any production, time management is extremely important. If a venue stipulates that an event must end at midnight, then we are obliged to stop at that time,” he said in a news report today.
The 57-year-old musician explained that such requirements are standard practice, as different venues impose different curfews.
“Some locations allow events until 12.30am, while places like Zepp Kuala Lumpur are more flexible and accommodating,” he said.
Jo added that actual conditions depend largely on the entertainment permit issued and the specific policies of individual venues, particularly in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.
“Generally, entertainment permits in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor allow events to run until 1am, not strictly until midnight, but this is still subject to the discretion of the venue,” he noted.
He did not rule out the possibility that the incident stemmed from a misunderstanding between the organiser and the venue management.
“If noise disturbance was an issue affecting surrounding areas, that is understandable. However, I feel what happened may have been due to a miscommunication,” he said.
Jo stressed that every minute of a performance, including musical segments and audience interaction, is carefully planned to prevent delays.
This is because concerts involve multiple stakeholders, such as permit authorities, the police, local councils, and related agencies.
He also emphasised that artistes play a crucial role in ensuring a smooth show by adhering strictly to the agreed schedule.
“Beyond organisers and production teams, responsibility also lies with the artistes themselves, along with the show director or personnel monitoring the flow of the event,” he said.
Commenting on fan requests for encore performances, Jo said such segments must be planned in advance rather than performed spontaneously.
“Even the final song or encore is usually planned beforehand. Like a wedding, everything needs proper planning. Although we know fans will ask for more songs, it must be factored into the schedule so it doesn’t disrupt the entire programme,” he added.
The RadjaWali Live in Malaysia concert recently sparked controversy after fans expressed disappointment and anger when Wali Band’s performance during the second segment was cut short, despite several songs remaining on the setlist.
© New Straits Times Press (M) Bhd
