November Rain brings back James

Music lovers witnessed greatness on Friday night in the form of  Nagarbaul James, as the rock music icon made his on-stage return after a pandemic pause.

The ‘ABC’ Generation (Artcell, Black and Cryptic fate) of the band industry and Vikings also rocked the stage as the ‘November Rain’ concert, arranged by Brandmyth Communications, showered musical bliss upon the capital.

Photo: Shamsul Haque Ripon

As many as 4000 music lovers, as confirmed by a Brandmyth Communications official Fuad Khan, had a euphoric night at the first winter concert in almost two years following covid restrictions.

Attendees jumped and sang in unison at the top of their lungs with no masks and social distancing-- a sight that has existed only in fading memories for the past 18 months.

Although the gates of International Convention City Bashundhara’s hall-4 named ‘Noboratri’ opened at 3:00 pm, long queues of people were seen outside hours prior to the beginning.

Emerging rock bands - Fuse, Plasmic Knock and Savagery, performed first setting the mood for mega entries to come.

The ‘Opekkha’ of Vikings fans came to an end as they took up the stage next to mark their return after 20 years with a new line-up. They sang most of their popular songs including ‘Opekkha.’

Black came up next and the reaction of the full-capacity crowd proved how popular they are. 

The band pulled a few surprises up their sleeves as vocalist Tashfee and Watson Brothers and The Attempted Band's drummer Arafat Kazi performed two songs alongside them. They performed the songs ‘Porahoto’ and ‘Ondho’ together.

The guest appearances did not end there as they wrapped up their performance with Artcell’s lead guitarist Kazi Faisal Ahmed playing their popular track ‘Blues and Rod.’

The ‘C’ of the ‘ABC’ generation, Cryptic Fate rocked the stage next with some of their all-time hits like ‘Bhoboghure,’ ‘Amar Sathe Aay,’ ‘Akromon’ and ‘Protibad.’

Cryptic fate, Cholo Bangladesh and  Shakib Chowdhury. Photo: Shamsul Haque Ripon

When they started playing their mainstream hit ‘Cholo Bangladesh, the whole crowd sang in unison.

What followed was a familiar "Artcell…Artcell…Artcell" chant and listeners broke security barriers as they tried to catch a glimpse of their vocalist Lincoln. 

Photo: Shamsul Haque Ripon

Artcell performed the first bit of their 16-minute epic ‘Oniket Prantor’ alongside other hit tracks like ‘Dukkho Bilash,’ ‘Chilekothar Sepai’ and ‘Utshober Utshahe.’

And then came the moment the crowd was restless for. ‘Guru’ walked into the stage to everyone’s delight, took up his guitar and started dropping hits one after another.

Photo: Shamsul Haque Ripon

More people climbed onto friends' shoulders, more arms were raised in the air, more voices screamed with ecstasy.

The crowd was in seventh heaven as the Nagarbaul gifted them with songs like ‘Lace Fita Lace,’ ‘Dukhini Dukkho Korona,’ ‘Diwana Mastana,’ ‘Pagla Hawa,’ ‘Sultana Bibiyana,’ ‘Dushtu Cheler Dol’ and ‘Ghor Banaila Ki Diya.’ 

Photo: Shamsul Haque Ripon

Euphoria turned surrealistic for the crowd as James uttered ‘Sundoritoma Amar.’ The first concert of this Winter literally spread happiness in ‘Taray Taray’ (among the stars).

[email protected]