The excitement had been building for weeks, and when Kaavish finally took the stage for "Dhaka Dreams" yesterday at Senaprangan, the atmosphere was nothing less than incredible. Blue Brick Communications, the organiser with a track record of successful events like "Dhaka Melancholy" featuring Indian singer Nachiketa Chakraborty and "Dhaka Retro" with James, found themselves navigating a challenging evening that tested the limits of concert organisation.

What was supposed to be a two-day musical spectacular on January 10 and 11 transformed into a single consolidated event on January 24, pushing fans to extraordinary lengths of patience and commitment. The postponement and subsequent merger of events created a cascade of logistical challenges that would define the night's narrative.

The evening's story was perhaps best told through fans like Mushfiq Alam Ankur, a Bangladeshi living in London, who went to extreme lengths to see Kaavish live. "It's difficult to get a ticket for Kaavish in London as they get sold out so quickly and are expensive," he explained. "I booked my flight, spending 400 pounds (around US $500) more just to see the band," highlighting the profound connection between artistes and their audience.

Similarly, one Ishrat Jahan Holy's story spoke volumes of fan dedication. She had completely rearranged her plans, rescheduling tours and cancelled wedding events, just to be part of this musical moment.

The concert's logistical issues were stark and significant. The merger of the two-day event into a single night resulted in widespread seating chaos. Most seats were double-booked, forcing audience members to scramble for vacant spots. Even press pass holders, including myself, found themselves without designated areas, wandering the venue without clear guidance – an ironic situation for an event with an "All Access" pass.

However, the evening kicked off with Ghashphoring Choir, with founder Armeen Musa joining the stage, setting a calm tone in their crisp white outfits. Level Five followed, playing crowd favourites like "Tumi", "Gholate Megh", and "60's Love".

Shunno's performance, the second live show in the last one and a half years, was a standout. Reuniting with guitarist Shaker Raza, the current line-up–consisting of Imrul Karim Emil, Andrew Michael Gomes, Rafatul Bari Labib, and Ishmamul Farhad – delivered a powerful set of classics like "Bedona", "Shoto Asha", and "Godhulir Opare". 

The night hit a sweet spot when Labib's three-year-old daughter hopped on stage and asked for "Behula", which the band immediately played, creating a touching moment that melted everyone's hearts. They ended their set with "Shono Mohajon", a song that gained renewed significance during the recent July-August mass uprising.

The evening rolled on with Shayan Chowdhury Arnob and Sunidhi Nayak's stunning duets, hitting a high note with their performance of "Tomar Jonno".

Kaavish: A dream beyond borders

The headliner, Kaavish, transformed the evening into something truly magical. Formed in 1998, this contemporary semi-classical band from Pakistan, comprising Jaffer Zaidi and Maaz Maudood, had long been an underground sensation before breaking through with their first single video "Bachpan", after six years of performances.

Lead vocalist Jaffer Zaidi created an atmosphere of intimate brilliance. With a dimly lit auditorium and his grounded persona, he made the massive venue feel like a personal living room concert. His piano became a bridge between cultures, between dreams and reality.

The band's setlist was a journey through their musical evolution. They began with "Bachpan", their breakthrough single, and moved through a carefully curated selection including "Baat Unkahi", "Tere Naam", "Moray Sayyaan", "Nindiya Re", "Faasle", and "Tere Pyaar Main".

The emotional pinnacle arrived when audience requests led to repeated performances of "Faasle" and "Tere Pyaar Main". Fans sang along, tears glistening in their eyes — a moment of pure, unfiltered musical connection that transcended geographical and cultural boundaries.

For many, including myself, a devoted listener whose Spotify 2024 Wrapped ranked Kaavish as the top artiste, seeing them perform live was something I never imagined. Yesterday's evening came alive — from my screens into a living, breathing musical experience — it was nothing short of an unreal experience for me, like many other fans.

Despite the organisational challenges, the music remained the true hero of the night. Blue Brick Communications might have stumbled in their execution this time, but the artistes' performances were flawless.

"Dhaka Dreams: Kaavish Live in Concert" was more than just a show. It was a reminder, once again, that music holds the power to connect, heal, and transform — one note at a time.

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