Controversy Erupted After Wael Jassar Leaves Stage in Iraq Theater Management: “Wael Jassar’s Band Arrived Shortly Before the Concert Started”

A wave of controversy erupted following the sudden halt of Lebanese singer Wael Jassar’s New Year’s Eve concert in Baghdad, Iraq, after he left the stage before completing the performance. The incident sparked questions about the reasons behind it, prompting both the theater management and the artist to issue conflicting statements.

Theater Management Clarifies Its Position The theater’s administration broke its silence in an official statement, emphasizing that its role is limited to providing the venue and that it is not responsible for organizing or supervising the concerts. The statement clarified that the event organizers bear full responsibility for technical arrangements, including sound, lighting, and show management, while the theater serves as a multi-purpose platform.

“Wael Jassar’s Band Arrived Shortly Before the Concert” The statement added that the theater was handed over to the organizers a full day before the concert, with clear schedules for rehearsals and sound checks. However, Wael Jassar’s band arrived shortly before the concert started, preventing any potential technical issues from being addressed. The theater management also noted that the artist’s departure was due to sound issues and that no technical requirements had been provided in writing beforehand.

Wael Jassar Speaks About the Issue On his part, Wael Jassar told the media that his team had sent all technical requirements in advance. The problem appeared during rehearsals due to missing essential equipment that affected sound quality. He stressed that continuing the performance under these conditions would have delivered a substandard experience for the audience and that his decision was made out of respect for his fans and their right to a full artistic experience—not out of anger or due to another engagement.

Wael Jassar’s Frustration Captured on Video Videos circulating on social media showed the artist visibly frustrated while attempting to resolve the technical issues before leaving the stage. Some attendees expressed understanding, noting that his actions were wise to preserve the quality of the show.

Special Respect for the Iraqi Audience Jassar expressed his deep affection for the Iraqi audience, praising their understanding and reaction to the situation. He highlighted that Iraq holds a special place in his artistic journey, and he always aims to deliver the best possible experience for every concertgoer.

Wide Social Media Reaction The incident dominated social media, with users sharing the videos of Jassar’s frustration. Discussions focused on the responsibilities of the technical teams and management, with calls for stricter oversight of technical arrangements before any concert to ensure success and prevent future embarrassing situations.