The North South University Alumni Association Australia (NSUAAA) hosted its flagship annual event, the “NSU Alumni Soirée 2025”, on 2 August at Melbourne’s historic St Kilda Town Hall. The evening served as both a cultural celebration and a reunion for over 350 alumni, faculty, and families from across Australia.

The title, “Pran-to”—meaning lifeline—is no accident. “These songs are closest to my heart,” Noor says. “They speak of joy, pain, and the courage to feel it all.” Every track is penned and composed by Noor himself, extending the confessional, story-driven style that made “Jodi Abar” a sensation.

Taylor Swift has officially announced her 12th studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl”, following a wave of speculation from fans over the past 24 hours.

Irish rock band U2 has spoken out against the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, urging immediate measures to protect civilian lives. In a statement shared on Instagram, the group described the situation as having entered “uncharted territory” due to the blocking of humanitarian aid and reports of a planned military takeover of Gaza City.

Renowned Rabindra Sangeet artiste Sahana Bajpaie has expressed concern over what she describes as the gradual erosion of Bengali identity, particularly in the cultural sphere. In a recent Facebook post, she criticised the growing trend of prioritising Hindi songs over Bangla music, even at quintessentially Bengali celebrations such as Pohela Boishakh and Durga Puja in Kolkata.

Indie band “Dads in the Park” made their Australian debut in style, delivering a high-energy performance at Adelaide’s iconic Ed Castle.

Hosted by Joy Shahriar, the event highlighted personal stories and career milestones of Shafin Ahmed and Hasan Abidur Reza Jewel, offering an intimate glimpse into their lives and contributions to Bangladeshi music. The programme concluded with prayers for the eternal peace of their souls.

The Yamaha Flagship Center in Tejgaon came alive with the sound of guitar as the second edition of the “Guitar Master Class” (GMC), powered by WD-40, brought aspiring guitarists face-to-face with one of Bangladesh’s most celebrated musicians—Ershad Zaman. Organised by Team Alpha, the 4-hour session combined practical lessons and candid mentorship, giving young players a rare opportunity to learn directly from their idol and leave with skills, insights, and inspiration.

On his fifth death anniversary this year, Alif Alauddin has paid a heartfelt tribute by collaborating with several musicians for an unplugged session of his most popular songs, works that continue to influence and inspire others.

Ed Sheeran has reunited with Rupert Grint for his latest music video “A Little More”, marking their first collaboration in 14 years since the hit “Lego House”.

Suchona Shely has secured second place at the Rukh Sanat World Traditional Culture and Music Festival, held in Kyrgyzstan. The competition featured 82 artistes and bands from 14 countries, including Bangladesh.

The folk music reality show “Magic Bauliana” returns for its fifth season on Maasranga Television, celebrating Baul and other traditional genres for audiences in Bangladesh and beyond.

Bishwajit, who has spent most of the past two years in Canada at his son’s side, recently composed and arranged “Kande Re Bhai Kande”, the latest release from singer Kishor Das. Written by lyricist Liton Adhikari Rintu, the track carries Bishwajit’s unmistakable melodic touch.

“I might have been making a name for myself during the tail end of my teenage years, but that also entailed eventually making deals and working with questionable people,” divulged Dameer Khan. The once-emerging, unprecedented talent, who shot to popularity, recently spoke with The Daily Star over a call from Canada to exclusively share his story — one that involved undergoing a critical legal dispute with his ex-management while assembling his nightlife business from the ground up, prior to the release of “Khancha”.

More than a year after the tragic death of singer-songwriter Pagol Hasan in a road accident in Sunamganj on April 18, 2023, the renowned Bangladeshi band Lalon is preparing to release a new song titled “Baganer Mali”, co-created with the late artist.

More than two decades after its original release, Bappa Mazumder has brought back one of Dalchhut’s most beloved songs, “Brishti Pore”, in a brand-new arrangement—this time accompanied by an AI-generated music video.

Ozzy Osbourne has always done things his own way — and even in death, the Prince of Darkness leaves behind a legacy as loud and chaotic as the life he lived. The heavy metal icon’s death certificate, recently made public, reveals a job title that perfectly encapsulates his untamed spirit: “songwriter, performer and rock legend.”

Lady Gaga tops the list of nominees for the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards, earning 12 nominations, including Artist of the Year and Best Album for “Mayhem”. Close behind is Bruno Mars with 11 nods, while Kendrick Lamar follows with 10. Rising star Sabrina Carpenter secured eight nominations, and Ariana Grande also earned multiple nods.

A special musical tribute was held in memory of the late Rabindra Sangeet artiste and founding president of Chhayanaut, Sanjida Khatun, in Sydney, Australia. The commemorative programme, held in an atmosphere of mourning and reverence, took place last Sunday (July 27) at the Ermington Community Centre.

MNC Entertainment is also organising the "First Bangladesh Youth Festival" this year. As part of this festival, "Warfaze Live in Toronto" will take place on September 26, which the organisers believe to be the largest Bengali concert ever held.