The scheduled concert of the popular band Ashes, which was due to take place on Saturday (18 April) at Rabindra Sarobar in Dhanmondi, Dhaka, has been cancelled at the last moment amid concerns over crowd control and logistical constraints.
The announcement was confirmed by the band’s vocalist, Junaid Evan. In a post shared late on Friday (17 April) night via his verified Facebook account, he stated that Ashes would no longer be performing at the planned venue.
He wrote: “18 April Dhanmondi Rabindra Sarobar Ashes concert is not happening.”
According to information provided by the organisers, the decision was taken due to concerns that the anticipated turnout for an Ashes performance at an open-air venue could not be effectively managed. The organisers indicated that controlling the expected crowd size in such an open setting would be extremely difficult.
Junaid Evan further noted that the venue itself posed limitations in terms of space and capacity. He also referred to administrative concerns, stating that authorities had highlighted potential complications related to traffic management in the surrounding area.
In his post, he added: “The place is also small. The administration has also said that there will be problems with the traffic system on the roads.”
Addressing fans, the vocalist shared a brief emotional message, expressing disappointment over the cancellation while suggesting future opportunities for live performances. He wrote: “We could not meet at Rabindra Sarobar. We will surely meet somewhere else. On a stormy sea night.”
Despite this cancellation, Ashes has maintained a busy live performance schedule throughout April. From the beginning of the month up to Friday (17 April), the band performed at a total of 12 concerts across Dhaka and various other parts of the country.
The group is also preparing for upcoming international appearances. They are scheduled to perform in June in several European cities, including Rome and Venice in Italy, as well as Paris in France.
Summary of key details
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheduled event | Ashes live concert |
| Original date | 18 April (Saturday) |
| Venue | Rabindra Sarobar, Dhanmondi, Dhaka |
| Status | Cancelled |
| Reason cited | Crowd control concerns, small venue capacity, traffic management issues |
| Confirmation | Junaid Evan (vocalist) via verified Facebook post |
| Recent activity | 12 concerts held across Bangladesh (earlier in April) |
| Upcoming schedule | Performances planned in Rome, Venice, and Paris in June |
The cancellation highlights recurring challenges associated with managing large audiences at open-air cultural venues in urban areas, particularly where infrastructure and traffic capacity are limited.