WORLD famous coffee company Nescafe has always tried to fulfil people's thrust for music. But their approach was different from the very beginning. They have changed people's idea about concerts. Apart from the usual electric guitars, keyboards and different instruments, music lovers experienced pure acoustic music. Nescafe has organised a series of unplugged concerts by the famous band music icons of the country and presented the audience with the pure essence of Bengali and English classics. The 6th of the series was held at the Dhaka Sheraton Hotel Ballroom on May 19, 01

Minutes before 'Episode VI' of Nescafe Classics Unplugged started, the ballroom was almost overflowing with music lovers. The crowd were anticipating for the bands to start rolling. The performers of the evening were famous musical group Miles and Aurthohin, a new name in the musical industry. The evening started with the welcome speech by Quazi Shafayat Hossain, Brand Manager, Nestle Bangladesh Limited.

Aurthohin have started their musical career for quite a while now. They have already released an album and also have a number of solos. Aurthohin started the sixth Nescafe Classics Unplugged with their famous number 'Nijhum Ratey'. The audience greeted the band and encouraged them. The melody of the song sounded very touching in the acoustic version. Next, Aurthohin performed two English numbers, 'You're My Religion' and 'King of Pain'. The audience enjoyed this effective performance. Their own number 'Advut Shei Cheleti' was next. Aurthohin faced some difficulties with one of their guitar strings after this song so they started jamming while the problem was being fixed. Sumon's stunning bass solos were appreciated by all.

Aurthohin performed two more of their own numbers, 'Tomar Jonno Noy' and 'Protichhobi' next. The audience went wild as they started playing famous Guns N' Roses number 'Don't Cry'. They sang along with the band. The next number surprised them even more. Pink Floyd's 'Learning to Fly' was even more appreciated. Aurthohin fans jumped off their seats as they started to play their famous number 'Bedonar Chorabali'. The outstanding performance by Aurthohin came to an end with their super hit number 'Gooty'.

The audience took a break as the main attraction of the evening Miles took their time to set up their instruments. They jammed for a while and then started off with Santana's 'Smooth'. The crowd loved their performance. One after another Miles played Brian Adam's 'Back To You' and Eagles's 'Best of My Love'. The perfection of acoustic music was felt by the audience when they started playing the English and Bengali version of their famous number 'Jadu (It's Magic)'. Another old hit 'Prothom Premer Moto' was next. The audience enjoyed these two numbers. The whole ballroom sang along with the band. Again Miles went back to English numbers and flooded the concert with classical numbers such as Dire Strait's 'Walk of Life', Sting's 'Every Breath You Take' and Eagles's evergreen number 'Hotel California'.

The Sheraton ballroom was pulsating to the strains. Within moments, the audiences of five hundred was crooning, dancing and singing. After another number Miles started playing Brian Adam's 'Ever Loved a Woman'. The audience enjoyed this romantic number very much. Next, Miles played one of their own number, 'Nila'. Once again they started playing non-stop English classics, U2's 'With or Without You', The Doors's 'Break on Through' and Guns N' Roses's 'Knockin' on Heavens Door'. This unforgettable performance by Miles came to an end with their famous number 'Jala Jala'.

The unplugged came to an end with a raffle draw. Gerry Bes, Managing Director, Nestle Bangladesh Limited, distributed prizes among the lucky winners.

Overall, the show was incredibly enjoyable. So much so that even being swept away by the strains of unplugged music for over three hours did not deter the audience from asking for more. Unplugged concerts like this should be organised frequently so that the people of Bangladesh get the rare opportunity to experience the acoustic version of their favourite music.

Nafid Imran Ahmed