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.
5m 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
May 2, 2022
Oni Hasan: Chasing a bigger dream
From being Vibe’s exciting musical prodigy to a staple of legendary Warfaze, Oni Hasan has accomplished a lot in his musical career.
April 16, 2022
From TSC to Madison Square Garden
There are few bands in Bangladesh who are as internationally appealing and well rounded as Chirkutt. The folk rock pioneers will break new ground by performing with Scorpions at Madison Square Garden (MSG), New York at the Golden Jubilee Bangladesh concert, celebrating 50 years of our country’s Independence. We talked to Chirkutt about their preparations, excitement, and thoughts about the concert.
April 15, 2022
Coke Studio Bangla: Latin and Nazrul’s harmonious entanglement
It is difficult to maintain even a semblance of neutrality when a song bewitches you from the second it starts playing – that is what Coke Studio Bangla’s newest release, “Bulbuli”, did to my ‘trained’ musical ear. On the first day of the Bengali New Year, the musical production paid a perfect homage to our National Poet, Kazi Nazrul Islam.
April 12, 2022
Sainik fights on with his tunes
It was 1989 when T W Sainik first came from Nilphamari to Dhaka, as a culturally active young man. Even after two decades of successful work as a cinematographer – more than 500 tele-fictions, 40 TVCs and 4 films, we know the artiste as the voice behind “Tumi Amar Ghum”, a song that captured the hearts of music listeners regardless of taste.
April 9, 2022
My visit to the Grammys
When I was arriving in Phoenix, Arizona last year for my Humphrey Fellowship, I did not imagine that I would get to be a part of one of the most prestigious musical celebrations of the world – the Grammys.
April 7, 2022
'Film industry won't grow if we just sit and complain': Nuhash Humayun
Nuhash Humayun loves making “weird stuff’, as he jokingly phrases it. However, he is objectively one of the most open-to-experiment directors of our time.
April 2, 2022
Was the second serving of Coke as refreshing as the first?
Let us get this out of the way first: “Nasek Nasek” was so dynamic, energetic and well-executed musically, that it made it unusually difficult for any song to follow it up.
April 2, 2022
‘We have a hundred complaints, but only need one reason to stay’
Bushra Shahriar is at an interesting crossroads in life – the passionate soul is a musician, vlogger, and a PHD student at the Indian Institute of Technology, Roorkee. Her latest song, “Eksho Nalish”, released yesterday. We got in touch with Bushra for a small chat over coffee.
March 31, 2022
A generational talent graced Dhaka, what was our reaction?
It has always been difficult to please everyone, especially in the age of social media -- where everyone feels not only entitled to an opinion, but also entitled to share it regardless of how crude or unfiltered it may be.
March 29, 2022
A slap that overshadowed achievements
The 94th Academy awards were historic, but not in the sense that you are probably thinking.
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