Both young and old came out to the George Sherman Union’s Metcalf Hall Sunday to experience a night of music and culture with a band that is sometimes referred to as “The U2 of Asia.”

Cheering, dancing and clapping to the bass driven rhythm, about 600 people showed how much they enjoyed Junoon, a Pakistani rock band known for its messages of patriotism and peace. A group of young people in the front row waved a Pakistani flag throughout the concert.

The event, hosted by both the Organization for Pakistani Students of Boston University and the Pakistani Association of Greater Boston, also featured two opening acts. ShahJehan Khan opened the concert by playing the Pakistani national anthem, “Comi-tarana,” on his electric guitar. Then, five members of the Punjabistan dance group performed a traditional bhangra dance and quickly engaged the crowd.

For about two hours, Junoon played heavy rock tunes in both English and the Pakistani national language, Urdu. As the music filled the large hall, friends embraced and danced together, young sons watched the spectacle atop their dads’ shoulders and others simply let loose and danced on their own.

“It was intense, energetic … so much emotion in the songs,” said School of Management sophomore Fahad Hyder, who has been a member of the Organization for Pakistani Students for two years.

Although it was his first time seeing Junoon, he said he enjoyed the group’s feeling of happiness and culture. Because of their “strong message of patriotism,” Hyder said, families love them.

And it is for that exact reason that Khurram Bajwa, president of the organization and a College of Arts and Sciences senior, organized the concert, Bajwa said.

“We wanted to create an event that creates good cultural awareness of Pakistanis,” said Bajwa, a long-time fan of Junoon. He called the show a “definite success” and was pleased to see that both the crowd and band were really into it.

As they trickled out at the end of the concert, many people were still energetic. Ayesha Rabbani, an Andover High School junior, excitedly said the show was her fifth time seeing Junoon in concert.

“I’m a big fan,” she said, recalling the first time she saw Junoon at age seven. “Junoon is really good … It promotes a lot of Pakistani pride.”

Sonya Hasan, 16, and her brother Mubarak, a BU alumnus, both said they had a great time and recently became Junoon fans.

“You just feel the music,” Sonya Hasan said. Mubarak Hasan agreed that “they’re the number one” band in Pakistan.