Bangladesh: Concert turns violent days after deadly unrest, James’ Faridpur show called off

A live concert by veteran Bangladeshi rock musician James was abruptly cancelled in Faridpur after bricks and stones were thrown at the stage, leaving several people injured, including students attending the event.

According to BDnews24, the incident took place at the Faridpur District School, where James was scheduled to perform as part of the institution’s 185th anniversary celebrations.

Trouble broke out moments before the show was set to begin when a group, described by organisers as “outsiders,” attempted to force their way into the venue after being denied entry.



When they failed to get inside, the group began pelting the stage area with bricks and stones, triggering panic at the venue. Local media reports said at least 25 people were injured in the violence, including between 15 and 20 students.

The concert was planned for 9 pm on the second day of the school’s two-day anniversary programme. Organisers said the situation deteriorated rapidly just ahead of the performance, forcing security arrangements to collapse under the sudden assault.

The Daily Star reported that students at the venue resisted the attackers, eventually pushing them back and preventing further escalation. Despite this, concerns over safety prompted authorities to step in.

By around 10 pm, organising committee convenor Mustafizur Rahman Shamim announced that James’s performance was being called off, acting on instructions from the Faridpur deputy commissioner, according to reports.

Who is James

James, whose real name is Faruq Mahfuz Anam, is among Bangladesh’s most recognisable rock musicians and a towering figure in the country’s modern music scene.

Rising to prominence in the 1990s as the frontman of the band Feelings — later renamed Nagar Baul — he is widely credited with popularising rock and psychedelic music in Bangladesh.

Beyond his influence at home, James also gained cross-border recognition in India after singing chart-topping Bollywood tracks, including “Bheegi Bheegi” from the film Gangster, making him one of the few Bangladeshi artists to achieve mainstream popularity in the Indian music industry, according to profiles published by The Times of India.

Deadly unrest grips Bangladesh after student activist’s death

The attack on the Faridpur concert comes days after Bangladesh witnessed widespread violence following the death of a student activist during protests, triggering a fresh wave of unrest across multiple cities.

Demonstrations quickly escalated into clashes between protesters and security forces, with incidents of arson, vandalism and road blockades reported in several districts. The violence left multiple people dead and injured, prompting authorities to deploy additional forces and impose restrictions to restore order.

The unrest exposed simmering anger among student groups and broader sections of society, with protests spreading beyond campuses into urban centres. The government has blamed “instigators” for the violence, while rights groups and opposition voices have raised concerns over the use of force against protesters, as tensions remain high even after the immediate flare-ups subsided.