Channel i is set to stage the 12th edition of Band Fest on December 1, continuing its annual tradition of celebrating the country’s vibrant band music scene.
The day-long festival, dedicated to the memory of legendary guitarist and band icon Ayub Bachchu, will once again take place at the Channel i studio and be broadcast live from 11:05 am.
Ahead of the festival, Channel i hosted a press conference on November 27 at its premises which was attended by Channel i Director and Head of News Shykh Seraj, Universal Medical College and Hospital Managing Director Dr Ashish Kumar Chakraborty and renowned band artistes including Fuad Naser Babu, Bappi Khan, Partha Majumder, Piaru Khan, Joy Shahriar and Shamim Ahmed, among others.
Band Fest Project Director Raju Alim and Director Annanya Ruma were also present at the press conference.
This year’s lineup features 12 bands: Uchcharon, Parthibo, Shironamhin, Different Touch, Obscure, Nova, Nirjhor, Mehrin, Symphony, Feedback, Star King and Tarun. Together, they promise a dynamic showcase of both contemporary and classic band sounds for audiences across the country, according to the organisers.
Speaking at the event, Shykh Seraj said that band music has long been a catalyst for youthfulness, noting that the early years of post-independence band culture were marked by significant challenges.
“Channel i has always honoured Ayub Bachchu’s wish by observing the day with special significance and the organisation intends to scale up the festival further in the coming years, including plans to recognise influential figures in the band scene,” Seraj said.
He also remarked that the festival has been held for nearly a decade and that a nationally recognised day for band music would strengthen the sector. He expressed hope that the Ministry of Cultural Affairs would take the proposal into consideration.
Fuad Naser Babu noted that the initiative had originally been introduced at Ayub Bachchu’s urging and has since become a core part of Bangladesh’s mainstream music ecosystem. He thanked Channel i for standing beside band music from the beginning and enabling both current and future generations to work within the genre.
The 12th Channel i Band Fest is being organised with the support of Universal Medical College Hospital. Its Managing Director Dr Ashish Kumar Chakraborty said the festival plays an important role in re-engaging young people who are often consumed by social media and that such initiatives are essential for cultural vitality.
He added that Universal Medical College and Hospital takes pride in being part of an event that champions artists, reiterating the institution’s commitment to supporting creative communities. He also proposed that Channel i consider launching an Ayub Bachchu Music Award to honour the late icon.
Band Fest was first launched in 2014 with the approval of Channel i Managing Director Faridur Reza Sagar, following a proposal from Ayub Bachchu. Since then, it has evolved into one of the country’s most anticipated annual celebrations of Bangladeshi band music.
