A landmark in Bangladeshi music history

Miles performing in front of a packed house. Photo: ORCHID CHAKMA

8,000 people – let the number sink in. 8,000 people from all over Dhaka and other districts were present at perhaps what can only be described as a phenomenon – the 20-year celebration of the iconic Artcell. 20 years of Artcellism not only lived up to expectations, but surpassed them in every feasible way. ICCB’s EXPO Zone trembled with the roaring riffs of Lincoln and Faisal, the masterful strokes of Shaju and the clinical bass-playing of Cezanne. It was not just a celebration of Artcell, but the very underground scenario that brought them to this platform, as the icons invited upcoming underground bands like Naïve, Trainwreck, Unmaad and Crunch to show their mettle at one of the grandest stages in their careers. Members from Black, Shironamhin, Arbovirus, Powersurge, Mechanix and Minerva also joined in to pay sweet tributes to the band that inspired an entire generation of musicians. If you were there, you know that you were a part of history. If you weren’t, do check out the videos on social media – of the crowd singing each and every word of classics like Pothchola, Bhul Jonmo, Dhushor Shomoy and the 16 minute epic – Oniket Prantor. Asiatic EXP deserves much credit for sparing no details in the grand celebration.

Miles has every right to claim that they are the most influential act in Bangladeshi music. The storied history of their 40-year career was beautifully highlighted in Hall 3 of ICCB, just a few blocks away. Some of the most renowned bands of the country – Feedback Warfaze, Dalchhut and Vikings, paid tribute to the legends. As time came for Miles to come to the stage – the nostalgic crowd could not contain their excitement. The hall echoed with Chaad Tara Shurjo, Neela and Firiye Dao, among some Miles tracks from their previous albums that they rarely performed. The crowd went home a happy bunch, as the band’s international tour came to a sweet end in Dhaka, which Shafin Ahmed, Hamin Ahmed, Manam Ahmed, Iqbal Asif Jewel and Syed Ziaur Rahman Turjo call home. The concert was arranged by Windmill.

Artcell pays tribute to the late Rupok, their former lyricist. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Unmaad lighting up the stage with their act. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Jahan from Black playing ‘Ei Bidaye’ with Artcell. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Suharto from Arbovirus wowing the crowd. Photo: Sheikh Mehedi Morshed

Warfaze rocking out a Miles number. Photo: ORCHID CHAKMA

Vikings rocking the crowd. Photo: ORCHID CHAKMA

Dalchhut performing at the concert. Photo: ORCHID CHAKMA

Souls creating a magical atmosphere. Photo: ORCHID CHAKMA

Feedback with their groovy tribute to Miles. Photo: ORCHID CHAKMA