Poorly arranged concerts should not be an ‘Aadat’
It is rather telling of the people when the army has to show up because of how people behave at a concert. “They brought an international band to a mall to perform,” said Sakib, who had attended the concert with high hopes. “It was a total joke. Organisers started taking selfies with the band mid-show, while Jal had to ask 20 times for a light to be turned off.”
1m ago
Fatima: Where noble intention trumps flawed execution
Dhrubo Hasan’s “Fatima” is an ambitious undertaking, with the director’s passion clearly visible in the script – the aspects of our Liberation War and how we are all fighting our own inner wars, the torment that women still go through for being a woman, the extent to which a close one’s betrayal could be delusionally overlooked.
5m ago
Canada chants ‘Artcell, Artcell!’ as beloved band celebrates 25 years
On May 5, Toronto’s Hamilton saw what was the largest audience for a band in decades. To everyone’s surprise, it was not a North American band, but a Bangladeshi one, celebrating 25 years of their glorious music on tour.
6m ago
Rock n’ Rhythm 4: Mired in chaos, overcome with emotion
On a day when the rain gods smiled favorably upon the hopes of about ten thousand people, barricades were broken, a stampede nearly ensued, and some logistical issues nearly ruined the experience for those holding general tickets at "Rock N’ Rhythm 4.0" in the capital’s International Convention City Bashundhara. However, for five men who have dedicated their entire lives to music, none of this could dampen the emotional reunion of Black's original lineup.
6m ago
Joy Shahriar: A one-man artistic ecosystem
“I could have bought a very nice phone with the money I bought this guitar with,” said Joy Shahriar in The Daily Star’s canteen, proudly flaunting his baby Taylor guitar. “But I chose this expensive guitar. I don’t have unlimited funds, but I know my priorities.” In a way, this sums up the “Shotti Bolchi” singer’s entire career – a story of passion, strife, and street smarts.
6m ago
Black reunion: A one-off?
Music in Bangladesh was never the same after Black launched “Amar Prithibi” in 2002. Taking off the much harder edge brought in by the rock bands of the ‘90s, it was Black who arguably popularised alternative rock in the country, along with acts like Nemesis and Stentorian.
6m ago
Minar moves forward with music
So, what is the artiste looking for in a partner? “Well, she has to be a good, honest person, and that’s pretty much it.” While we are yet to have found the lucky woman with a lifetime of free passes to Minar’s concerts, here’s to hoping that we can finally write ‘original’ news about his wedding.
8m ago
I’m respectful of Bangladesh’s rich musical heritage: Badshah
In an exclusive interview with The Daily Star, Badshah shared his insights and reflections on his recent trip to Bangladesh, shedding light on his experience and aspirations.
8m ago
September 5, 2020
The Umbrella Academy: Now is the best time to join the fandom
The market for superhero films, series and games had been somewhat oversaturated; as the few new creators who tried to enter it fell somewhat short of the mark. The Umbrella Academy, originally created as a comic book series by artist and My Chemical Romance frontman Gerard Way, was a surprise hit when its first season came to Netflix.
September 5, 2020
Stars join in to sing Arafat Mohsin’s ‘Konodin’
As a part of Studio 58, Arafat Mohsin composed many beautiful songs throughout the years. The musician has recently released his single Shokale, a refreshing melody that has caught on to young music listeners.
September 5, 2020
“We will not let Alauddin Ali and Andrew Kishore’s contributions go to waste” – Hamin Ahmed on BLCPS
Bangladesh Lyricist, Composers and Performers Society (BLCPS) was founded in 2014, as Bangladesh’s first proper CMO (Collective Management Organisation).
September 2, 2020
Bashundhara City: Star Cineplex brings down curtain on 6 movie halls
At a time when businesses are trying to recover from huge losses following the Covid-19 pandemic, Star Cineplex in Bashundhara City was served an eviction notice from the authorities.
August 12, 2020
Alauddin Ali’s masterful creations
It is quite impossible to narrow down a few songs from a library of over 5000 pieces of excellence – that in itself speaks for the impact that Alauddin Ali had on the Bangladeshi music industry.
July 17, 2020
Youth Skills Summit 2020: Renowned artistes talk survival in a changing entertainment industry
Trying to embrace the “new normal” during the pandemic, the entertainment industry faces a peculiar challenge. Amidst the drawbacks, artistes in the entertainment industry are trying to innovate and come up with solutions to overcome challenges, speakers said at Youth Skills Summit 2020.
July 11, 2020
Revisiting playback legend Andrew Kishore’s iconic songs
We recently lost one of Bangladesh’s most recognisable voices with the demise of Andrew Kishore. Having started his playback singing career with the 1977 film Mail Train, Kishore went on to lend his voice to thousands of songs, in the span of over four decades.
July 4, 2020
Owned, ‘Omor’ and a dystopian masterpiece
Writers are usually advised to shy away from words like ‘masterpiece’, ‘classic’, ‘perfect’ – or other bold terms and such, especially in an industry that tries to promote mediocrity as a given. Quite often, the lack of equipment, manpower and investment is cited as a reason.
June 20, 2020
“Shortcuts will not win you the love of the fans”
One of the most recognisable faces in Bangladesh’s entertainment industry, Tahsan Khan has grown tremendously as an artiste over the past decade.
May 30, 2020
Preparing for a musical insurgence
Even though the ongoing pandemic has affected professional artistes the hardest, the rising stars in the music industry also face an uphill challenge, after musical events stopped altogether throughout the country.
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