Seven Bands Rock Manik Mia Avenue as James Takes the Stage at 10pm

One favourite song after another on stage, and a crowd of excited listeners in front. Some came with friends, others with family. The 'Concert for Solidarity', organised to mark National Revolution and Solidarity Day, turned Manik Mia Avenue in the capital into a gathering of band music lovers on Saturday.

The concert is organised by the Ministry of Cultural Affairs and managed by Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy. The Bangladesh Musical Bands Association (BAMBA) is supporting it. Seven popular bands of the country are taking part in the open-to-all event - Nagarbaul, Miles, Warfaze, Feedback, Artcell, Shironamhin and Mechanics.

From the afternoon, the crowd at the concert venue kept growing. Listeners came from different parts of the capital to hear their favourite bands. The crowd swelled further after a BNP rally ended. People of different ages, alongside the young, made the event lively.

The concert began at 3:30 p.m. with a performance by Mechanics. The band played five songs in about 40 minutes. Their set began with 'Aporajeyo', dedicated to the country. They then sang 'Niyoti' in memory of their late and former members, followed by 'Chhinno Prishtha', 'Shubhro Shohor' and 'Bishmoy'.

After the performance, Mechanics band leader and vocalist Aftabuzzaman Tridib said, 'Mechanics always wants people to be inspired through music. We want to speak of people, of protest. We want to keep voicing our protest against the many inconsistencies and injustices of society through music.'

Speaking about National Revolution and Solidarity Day, Tridib said they hope remembering the days of struggle will inspire people towards positive achievements.

After Mechanics, Shironamhin took the stage. The band began with 'Pakhi', then performed Kazi Nazrul Islam's 'Durgom Giri Kantar-Moru', followed by 'Ma', 'Ichchhe Ghuri', 'Ei Obelay' and 'Abar Hashimukh'.

Shironamhin's band leader, bass guitarist and lyricist Ziaur Rahman said BAMBA is supporting this event organised by the Ministry of Culture. As it is their own event, the joy and atmosphere are different, and discipline is being given special importance. He wished the event success.

After Shironamhin, Artcell and Feedback performed. Feedback began with 'Se Ki Tumi'. Warfaze also performed at the seven-band event.

Miles performed a set of their well-known songs - 'Jala Jala', 'Chand Tara', 'Piyashi Mon', 'Se Kon Dorodiya', 'Neela', 'Dhikidhiki' and 'Firiye Dao'.

Even amid one band performance after another, many listeners were waiting for James. At 9:30 p.m. they were still waiting for their favourite artiste to take the stage. The wait ended at 10 p.m. when James came on stage, opening with 'Kobita Tumi Shopnocharini Hoye Khobor Niyo Na'.

On the atmosphere and management of the event, BAMBA vice-president and Warfaze's Sheikh Monirul Alam said managing such a huge crowd at an open-air event of this scale is a challenge. From band selection to sound, light, stage technical arrangements and security, they tried to maintain a set standard in every area. Their goal is for listeners to enjoy the music in a festive mood.

On the purpose of the event, Cultural Affairs Secretary Yasmin Begum said, 'This event is organised to give people joy.' She said various programmes have also been organised at the district Shilpakala Academies so that people can embrace the spirit of the revolution through joy.

Security in and around the venue has been strengthened for the concert. Additional police personnel are on duty to ensure the safety of the audience and keep law and order normal.