A fresh controversy has emerged in Bangladesh’s rock community after a fraud case was filed against Artcell’s vocalist Lincoln and the band’s manager, Khademul Wahab Maher, prompting renewed discussion about professionalism and accountability in the live music industry.
The case was lodged on Tuesday (November 26) with the court of Dhaka Metropolitan Magistrate Awlad Hossain Muhammad Jonaid by Md Salahuddin, former coordinator of Rajshahi University and general secretary of the university’s central students’ union. Following a hearing, the magistrate recorded the complainant’s statement and later asked Tejgaon Police Station to investigate the matter.
According to the complaint, Lincoln and Maher had signed a contract to perform at a Rajshahi University celebration on August 15 in honour of ‘36 July’, with organisers paying Tk5.25 lakh of a Tk5.75 lakh performance fee in advance. However, only hours before the programme was set to begin, the band announced via Facebook that they would not be appearing.
The abrupt cancellation allegedly left student organisers facing losses of around Tk16 lakh, a figure the complainant says covers venue arrangements, equipment, promotional materials and other commitments tied to the headline act.
A legal notice was reportedly issued to the accused on August 25, but Salahuddin claims no reply was ever received.
The incident has ignited widespread debate online, with fans and fellow musicians divided over whether the dispute reflects broader issues in event management or signals a breakdown in artist–organiser communication.
The accused have not yet publicly responded to the latest developments.
