Bengali Rock Icons to Share Sydney Stage

Leading Bangladeshi rock musician James and Indian rock artist Rupam Islam are set to perform together in Australia, continuing a collaboration that has previously attracted significant audience interest across Bangladesh and India.

The concert, titled “Live in Sydney”, is scheduled for 12 September at the Norwest Convention Centre in Sydney, within the state of New South Wales. The event is being organised by the Bengali CineClub Australia. Both performers will be accompanied by their respective bands, Nagar Baul and Fossils.

According to the organisers, the concert represents a notable occasion for Bengali music audiences in Australia, as joint performances by prominent rock artists from Bangladesh and India are relatively uncommon in the region. The programme is expected to feature a selection of well-known songs associated with both performers, many of which have gained recognition among Bengali-speaking audiences over the years.

Rubaiyat Thakur Robin, manager of James and Nagar Baul, confirmed that discussions with the organisers have been finalised. While further details regarding production and arrangements have not yet been disclosed, he indicated that preparations are ongoing and expressed expectations of a large-scale event.

Rupam Islam is currently engaged in promotional activities for his book Bagh Brahma Khela, while also continuing to perform with his band Fossils. Despite these commitments, he is preparing separately for the Sydney concert. The two artists most recently shared the stage in India during the “Pujowalar Gaan” concert, which remains well remembered among audiences.

James, meanwhile, continues to perform regularly despite not releasing new music in recent months. He has stated that he is working on several songs and plans to release them upon completion, although no specific dates have been announced.

Earlier this year, he performed at a Pohela Boishakh concert held at Edward College in Pabna, organised by Square and Maasranga Television. He has also taken part in concerts in Dhaka, Chattogram, and Tangail. In the previous year, he performed internationally in countries including the United States and Saudi Arabia, responding to demand from expatriate Bengali audiences.

Event Summary

The forthcoming concert is expected to draw Bengali music enthusiasts from across Australia, offering a joint live performance by two established figures in the Bengali rock music scene.