This is for the first time that rock bands performed at BSA.

LRB, Feedback, Face to Face, Parthib and Stellar performed on the first day of the show.

The event began with the promising rock band Stellar. The band performed two original numbers -- Tomar chokher anginaye and Raatri amar phirey esho -- both romantic tunes. The compositions were influenced by the popular Latin musician Santana. Stellar also performed Happy Akhand's evergreen number Abar elo jey shondhya and fusion-based compositions Orey neel doriya and Notun premey mon mojaiya. Masudul Haque Liton's vocals were impressive.

Performance by the band Face to Face was next. Vocalist SI Tutul presented his popular compositions -- Keu prem korey, Amar e jibon keno emon holo, Ranger manush (title song of the popular mega-serial Ranger Manush), Jaye din and O pashani. Desolation of the soul and frustration were expressed in an aggressive, hard-hitting and raw style. The blazing tune Amar e jibon keno emon holo featured intricate work on the rhythm guitar. Bassist Partho Majumdar demonstrated his skills in Ranger manush. Jaye Din opened slowly and moved into a riff.

Parthib performed Koto din ketey gelo, Chander aloy-e, Durneeti and Nijhum raat-e esho re bondhu. Their country music-influenced performance received lukewarm response. Parthib was followed by the popular band Feedback. They sang their familiar compositions -- Moushumi 1, Chithi, Abar shobai melaye jai, Jonmechhi e jugey and Melaye jai re. It was evident that the current vocalist Shahnur Rahman Lumin has been working hard on his vocals to achieve the standards set by Maksud, the first vocalist of Feedback.

The last band to perform was LRB. Ayub Bachchu's band began their performance with an instrumental, Waiting. One of the best musicians in the country, Bachchu rendered a guitar solo, which reflected barrenness of a soul. Performing Neel Nayona, Ekhon onek raat, Amito prem-e porini, Shei tumi and Bangladesh, LRB moved the audience.

A discussion was held prior to the concert. Director general of BSA Quamrul Hassan, ndc; director of Department of Theatre and Film, Abul Kamal Shafi Ahmed and director of Department of Dance and Music, Sunil Chandra Das spoke at the programme.

Speakers at the programme said that apart from the classical music forms, many music genres have attained popularity. They said that the rhythm of the younger generation should be recognised and healthy music practice should be encouraged. Discussants also claimed that concerts like this might be able to rescue the current band music scene from a lingering 'negative impression'. Rockstars, during their performances, also appreciated the endeavour by BSA and hoped to perform regularly at programmes arranged by the institution.

However, a major flaw of the event was the sound system. Sophisticated acoustics is not an ideal one for a band show. According to the audience it could have been arranged at the open space at BSA premises.