By Imran Malik:
The highly anticipated three-day Soul Festival kicked off on Friday at the stunning Lake City venue in Lahore. The festival offers a diverse array of food stalls catering to every taste. Whether you’re in the mood for classic lentils and rice, sizzling tawa chicken, pizza, momos, burgers, or even Karachi-style biryani, there’s something for everyone. However, compared to previous years, the number of food stalls has slightly decreased.
Pro Tip for Food Discounts
By downloading the Zindagi App, visitors can enjoy up to 50% discounts at most food stalls. However, downloading the app at the venue proved to be challenging. To make the most of the offer, it’s recommended to download and set up the app as soon as you arrive. Unfortunately, despite several attempts across three different phones, the app failed to download smoothly. The Zindagi team is encouraged to improve their efficiency for a better user experience.
Best Time to Visit
The ideal time to enjoy the festival is around 6 PM. Start by exploring the food stalls, marking your favorites, and securing a table in the seating area to enjoy your meal in comfort. Sip on coffee, capture memorable photos by the lake, and end your evening with live music in the concert area.
Food Stalls: Hits and Misses
While some stalls were pricey, others stood out for their value and taste.
- Dal Chawal: A hearty meal priced affordably between PKR 100-200.
- Ouii Fast Food: A new addition that garnered massive crowds with its loaded chicken fries and wings.
- Crosta Italian Pizza: Their fresh, cheesy pizzas were a hit among visitors.
However, many food vendors should focus on brand-building by offering special festival discounts rather than burdening visitors with high prices.
Beverage Recommendations
For coffee lovers, Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf stood out for its taste and efficient staff, albeit with steep prices. 7Up’s Blue Sparkler was a refreshing and affordable option on the drinks front but deserved more attention.
Security and Management
Despite some unruly groups attempting to disrupt the family-friendly vibe, tight security ensured a peaceful environment throughout the festival.
Music and Entertainment
On the music side, DJ Arnie’s opening performance was electric. While the singer lineup lacked big names except for Bohemia, performers like Natasha Baig successfully engaged the crowd. Hosts Sophia and Shehzad once again proved why they are crowd favorites, maintaining high energy and excitement.
However, Sanwal Essa Khelvi, son of Ataullah Essa Khelvi, was a disappointment, failing to do justice even to his father’s hit songs. He needs to reinvent himself with a fresh genre to make a mark in the industry.
Special mention goes to Abrar Malik and Khawaja Sami, who are promising new additions to Lahore’s music scene. Despite the absence of Atif Aslam, the crowd thoroughly enjoyed the musical performances.
Final Thoughts
The event was a collaborative success, with Active Media curating a balanced artist lineup and designing an engaging entry list, credit goes to Rashid Ali. Thanks to Green Entertainment for the invites to experience such a grand event. Kudos to Active Media and Foodies R Us teams for organizing such a memorable event.
For families craving entertainment, the Soul Festival is a must-visit. With food, music, and a scenic venue, it offers an excellent escape for Lahore’s entertainment-starved audience.
Missed But Not Forgotten
The absence of Jazz Lounge and Jawad Hasan, staples of past Soul Festivals, was deeply felt, especially their cozy lounge area.
Plan your visit to enjoy a perfect mix of delicious food, scenic views, and captivating performances!
