By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Jan 31: As many as 27,000 people, primarily tourists, are expected to attend British musician Ed Sheeran’s much-anticipated concert in Shillong on February 12. The event, part of his Mathematics Tour, will take place at the JN Stadium in Polo, marking his return to India in 2025.
The state government on Friday conducted a detailed review meeting with officials from BookMyShow and the district administration to assess the preparations for the mega event.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh stated that the government aims to ensure all arrangements are seamless while minimising inconvenience for both concert goers and the public. He highlighted the overwhelming response to the event, noting that over 60% of the attendees will be from outside the state, including a sizeable crowd from Assam.
Officials from BookMyShow are scheduled to visit Shillong on February 6 to oversee the final preparations for the concert.
Addressing concerns about potential damage to the artificial turf at JN Stadium, Lyngdoh assured that Meghalaya has state-of-the-art turf protectors, similar to those used for the Coldplay concerts in Mumbai. These protectors will be transported back to Shillong ahead of the concert. On the issue of managing such a large crowd, Lyngdoh emphasized that necessary arrangements are being made, adding that the state has gained experience in handling large-scale events and is well prepared for any contingencies.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent statement that concerts contribute to the emerging economy, Lyngdoh noted that Meghalaya has been a trendsetter in hosting international music events. He recalled that the state hosted one of India’s earliest major international concerts in 2004.