Calling Bangladesh “almost my second home”, Pakistani music icon Atif Aslam on Thursday expressed his deep affection for the country’s fans, food and music as he addressed a press conference in Dhaka ahead of his much-awaited Main Stage Inc featuring Atif Aslam concert.
Presented by Shah Cement and co-powered by Foodi, Mainstage featuring Atif Aslam will take place on 24 July at Courtside, Madani Avenue (100 Feet), Dhaka.
The press conference, held a day before the concert at a city hotel, was attended by the popular singer himself. Popukar Bangladeshi bands Meghdol and Level Five will perform alongside Atif at the show, which will also feature Bangladeshi bands Renaissance and Qarar, the Sufi band.
Meghdol vocalist Shibu Kumar Shil and Level Five vocalist Aiedid Rashid and Main Stage Inc’s Kazi Rafsan was also present at the press event.
“The kind of response that I get from you people is nowhere else,” Atif said while talking about his connection with Bangladeshi audiences. “You guys are the loudest. When you sing my songs back to me, that’s how I gauge an audience.”
He added, “Bangladesh almost feels like my second home. I think I really love you all.”
The singer also spoke about his love for Bangladeshi cuisine, saying that outside Pakistan, food from Bangladesh is his favourite anywhere in the world.
“I love your food,” he said, mentioning khichuri, biryani and Bangladeshi desserts among his favourites.
The concert will see Atif perform some of his most popular tracks, while Bangladeshi acts including Meghdol, Level Five, Renaissance and Qarar, the Sufi band will bring their own performances to the stage.
During the press conference, Atif also announced details of his long-awaited independent album, Subha Aye Na, which is scheduled to release on 31 July.
The singer said the album marks a return to the kind of music he personally wanted to create after spending years primarily focused on playback singing for films.
“When I started my music journey, I never thought I would become this successful. I am thankful to all my fans for making this happen,” he said.
“I got busy with performances and recordings. Although I was writing verses and stanzas, I could not release them because of my schedule. I felt I owed it to myself to release the music I truly wanted to make.”
The album has been in the making for nearly eight years and features collaborations with several musicians and composers, according to Atif.
Asked whether he would perform songs from the upcoming album at Friday’s concert, the singer said fans would have to wait until after its release.
“We won’t be performing the new songs because the album will be released afterwards. I’ll come back again after the release, Inshallah,” he said.
Atif also praised regional music platforms and expressed his appreciation for Coke Studio Bangla, saying he enjoys discovering new artists and sounds.
“I always look forward to new artists and new music. I think it’s a beautiful sound you guys are creating,” he said, adding that he hopes to see a collaboration between Coke Studio Pakistan and Coke Studio Bangla in the future.
The singer further expressed his desire to collaborate with Bangladeshi musicians and perform more Bengali songs. He mentioned that he had previously recorded Mithe Alo for the Indian-Bengali film Cockpit and welcomed future collaborations with Bangladeshi artists.
Mainstage organiser Kazi Rafsan said the upcoming concert fulfils a promise made to thousands of fans after last year’s postponement.
“After hearing one question from thousands of fans, ‘Will the show happen again?’ we promised that we would return. After working with all relevant authorities and completing the necessary formalities, we are finally able to keep that promise,” he said.
Originally scheduled for 13 December 2025, the concert was postponed after organisers could not secure the required clearance due to security concerns following the announcement of the national election schedule. Main Stage had earlier clarified that the event was postponed, not cancelled, and assured fans that it would return at a suitable time.
Ticket sales are currently underway in three categories. Gates will open at 2 pm and close at 6 pm, while the concert will run from 5 pm to 10 pm.
Organisers also confirmed that those who purchased tickets for last year’s postponed show but did not request refunds will not need to buy new tickets. They can complete the official reclamation process to receive new tickets without any additional payment.
Those who applied for refunds but have not received them yet can also withdraw their refund requests and apply to restore their tickets.
Known for chart-topping hits including Aadat, Woh Lamhe, Tere Bin, Tu Jaane Na and Pehli Dafa, Atif Aslam remains one of the most popular international artists among Bangladeshi audiences and has performed in the country several times.
