The landscape of Bangladeshi rock and fusion music has recently been marked by a noticeable scarcity of studio recordings, with iconic ensembles rarely venturing into the studio for fresh material. This creative lull has made the prospect of new releases a rare treat for music enthusiasts. To bridge this gap, Bangladesh Television (BTV) has orchestrated a landmark cultural project, bringing together ten of the country’s premier musical acts to debut ten entirely original compositions. This initiative aims to breathe new life into a genre that has long been the heartbeat of the nation’s youth culture.
Crowned as ‘Band Utshob 2025’, this televised gala is scheduled to broadcast over two nights, airing this Tuesday and Wednesday at 10:00 PM. The event is the culmination of a rigorous three-month production cycle involving complex coordination between songwriters, composers, and performers. The creative heavy lifting was managed by veteran composer Foad Nasser Babu and acclaimed lyricist Shahid Mahmud Jangi, who worked tirelessly to ensure each track captured the unique essence of the participating bands. Despite several musicians being scattered across the globe for international tours, the project was successfully completed with a high-definition recording session at the BTV studios earlier this month.
The festival’s structure is designed to showcase the diversity of the scene, from the folk-rock sensibilities of Dalchhut to the atmospheric melodies of Shironamhin. Lyricist Shahid Mahmud Jangi observed that while commercial record labels have largely abandoned the practice of producing band albums, BTV’s institutional support provides a much-needed platform for established legends and emerging talents alike. Foad Nasser Babu admitted that tailoring ten distinct melodies within such a compressed timeframe was a daunting task, yet the enthusiasm of the performers ensured a high-quality output.
‘Band Utshob 2025’ Performance Schedule
The festival is divided into two distinct broadcasts, featuring the following legendary and contemporary acts:
| Broadcast Date | Featured Bands | Key Figures Involved |
| Tuesday (Night One) | Dalchhut, Shironamhin, Renaissance, Tarun, Nirjhor | Lyrics: Shahid Mahmud Jangi |
| Wednesday (Night Two) | Souls, Feedback, Parthibo, Pentagon, Nova | Composition: Foad Nasser Babu |
| Production Credits | Producer: Golam Morshed | Host: Ferdous Bappi |
Partha Barua, the celebrated lead vocalist of Souls, expressed that participating in the festival was a natural choice, citing the historical role BTV played in cementing the legacy of his band. He noted that the opportunity to work with veteran creators like Jangi and Babu was an offer no artist could refuse. Meanwhile, Nurul Azam, General Manager of BTV, highlighted that this festival is a strategic move to dispel the perception of the state broadcaster as outdated. By prioritising band music, the station hopes to reconnect with a younger demographic and prove that it remains a relevant force in the contemporary arts.