After ten whole years, Dhaka experienced Fuad and Friends perform live. One of the most popular singer, musician, and music producer in the country, Fuad Almuqtadir performed for his innumerable fans at Hall 2 of International Convention City, Bashundhara, on Saturday evening.
A mixture of both old music collaborators and new artistes performed with Fuad at the event, which was presented by Peugeot. Among the artistes who sang on the night were Shuvo, Tashfee, Raef Al Hasan Rafa, Fairooz Nazifa, Anika, Xefer Rahman, Kona, Alif, Johan, Taposh, Kona, Elita Karim and Lincoln D’costa of Artcell. Pavel played bass, Amzad was on drums and Faisal played electric guitar.
The event began at 7pm with Fuad making his way to the stage through the crowd amid loud cheers. Fuad began the music by drumming Queen’s We will rock you,” and then singer Shuvo performed Dak Diyache Doyal Amare. After that Shuvo sang Aakash, SD Barman’s Tumi Ar Nei Shei Tumi, Bhromor Koio Giya, Tip Tip Brishti, and the crowd favourite Shadhin.
Afterwards, Tashfee got on stage and performed a duet with Shuvo, titled Manbo Na Kono Shashon Baron. Tashfee then performed Ey Kobira.
Then the stage was taken by Rafa from Avoidrafa, who has a long history of collaboration with Fuad. Fuad introduced him by saying, “he joined Aurthohin at age 15 to play drums.”
Fuad also shared a funny anecdote from the early days of Rafa. The singer himself gave credit for his musicianship to Fuad, by saying that “80% of the credit for me becoming the musician that I am today goes to Fuad bhai. The times that I spend at his home were one of the best days of my life.”
Rafa performed two songs, Akash Pathabo and the Aurthohin song Anmone 2, which was produced by Fuad.
After Rafa, new singer Fairooz took the stage and performed Maya. Before her performance Fuad said that he fell from his chair in amazement, when he first heard her perform.
After Fairooz, Fuad hinted that the next song is one of the biggest crowd favourites. Film-maker Amitabh Reza Chowdhury took the stage and gave the background about the song “Tumi Ki Shara Dibey.” The song was made for a TVC, but was so well received at the time, that it became an anthem for the youth. It was originally performed by Mila. But at the event Anika performed the song to loud applause from the audience.
After Anika, Xefer performed one of her own songs.
After that, Fuad asked the band Dalchhut to take the stage. Fuad said: “Dalchhut is one of the most close bands of Fuad and Friends. In our early concert days, Dalchhut would always perform with us among other bands.”
Dalcchut’s singer Bappa Mazumdar also thanked Fuad for remembering those old days.
After Dalchhut, Kona took the stage and performed Bhitor O Bahire Antare Antare. After Kona, all the remaining artistes took the stage one at a time and performed their numbers.
The entire hall was filled with both young and old fans of Fuad, who headbanged, screamed and cheered raucously to each performance.
Throughout the entire concert, Fuad was at a station of his own, on the stage, complete with drums, key-board. Sometimes he would sing along, and sometimes he would share anecdotes between songs, but mostly he played music.