How do you make one audience dance to Billie Jean and, a few hours later, sing every word of Boshe Achhi at the top of their lungs?
On Friday night, Warfaze found the answer.
Tribute to Originals was more than a concert. It became a rare meeting point between two musical worlds, where Michael Jackson’s global legacy and Warfaze’s rock anthems shared the same stage, the same audience and, by the end of the night, the same deafening applause.
Held at the Hall of Fame of the Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Center (BCFCC), the concert also marked Warfaze’s first Dhaka appearance since the band received the Ekushey Padak earlier this year. Organised by Brandmyth and Mars & Co., the nearly four-hour production celebrated both Michael Jackson’s timeless artistry and Warfaze’s remarkable 42-year journey.
Long before the lights dimmed, the atmosphere outside the venue hinted that this would be no ordinary concert. Fans of Michael Jackson stood alongside lifelong Warfaze followers, filling the entrance from late afternoon. Some arrived wearing band T-shirts, others in tribute to the King of Pop, but everyone shared the same anticipation.
When the show began shortly after 7pm, the unmistakable bassline of Billie Jean echoed through the packed hall. Within seconds, the audience was on its feet. It was as if the evening had travelled back to the era when Michael Jackson ruled stages across the world.
The first half unfolded as a carefully crafted tribute to Jackson’s extraordinary catalogue. Black or White, Earth Song, Human Nature, Give in to Me and Beat It arrived one after another, accompanied by theatrical visuals, intricate choreography and dynamic lighting that captured the spectacle associated with the legendary performer.
Rather than trying to imitate Jackson, the performers focused on recreating the excitement and emotion that made his music timeless.
One of the night’s biggest surprises came when Warfaze lead guitarist Samir Hafiz stepped forward to sing Smooth Criminal before later delivering a stirring performance of Man in the Mirror.
It marked the first time he had performed vocals at a Warfaze concert, earning one of the loudest ovations of the evening.
Chorus vocalist Wahida added intensity to Dirty Diana, while Tashfee injected youthful energy into The Way You Make Me Feel.
Perhaps the most emotional moment came during Heal the World, when schoolchildren from Bandarban joined the performers on stage.
Beneath thousands of glowing mobile phone lights, the arena briefly transformed into something more intimate, with the audience singing every word together.
The tribute reached its climax with explosive performances of Bad and Thriller, before concluding with We Are the World, performed by Tashfee alongside chorus vocalists Antara, Wahida and Torsha.
After a 30-minute interval, the mood shifted—but the energy never faded.
As Warfaze stepped onto the stage, the cheers grew even louder.
If the first half belonged to the world’s greatest pop icon, the second belonged entirely to Bangladesh’s rock legends.
The band moved effortlessly through a setlist packed with fan favourites, including Hariye Tomake, Tomake, Oshamajik, Asha, Obak Bhalobasha, Mone Pore and Purnota.
Every chorus seemed louder than the one before as thousands of voices filled the hall, turning the concert into a giant singalong.
It was impossible to tell where the band ended and the audience began.
Around 11pm, Warfaze closed the night with Boshe Achhi.
As the final notes faded, applause continued to echo through the venue, with many fans reluctant to leave after witnessing one of the year’s most ambitious live productions.
For those who grew up listening to both Michael Jackson and Warfaze, the concert felt like a celebration of two defining soundtracks. One transformed pop music across the globe. The other shaped Bangladeshi rock at home.
On Friday night, those two musical worlds found common ground on a single stage—and for four unforgettable hours, thousands of fans happily belonged to both.
