SHILLONG, Feb 6: In a city where education, sports, tourism, and live events are increasingly intersect, balancing competing priorities has become a delicate art. The JN Stadium now finds itself at the epicentre of this tug-of-war as it gears up to host high-profile Indian Super League (ISL) matches alongside major concerts.
With MBoSE examinations scheduled around the same time, educationists and residents alike are voicing concerns over the overlap.
One of the most contentious issues is the upcoming ISL matches at JN Stadium. The same venue that is slated to host top-tier football clashes is also being prepped for high-level concerts. “We love the energy that live events bring to the city,” said Jason Manners from Rockski, an event management expert. “But with multiple high-profile events converging at one location, it’s essential to streamline scheduling and infrastructure to avoid chaos.”
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi remarked on the “concert economy” following Coldplay’s shows in Mumbai and Ahmedabad, highlighting the positive impact such events can have on the local economy. Manners elaborated on the challenges and opportunities for Meghalaya: “I’m thrilled to see Meghalaya emerging as a vibrant destination for live music events. With the right infrastructure and support, I firmly believe Meghalaya can become a major hub for live music in India.”
He added, “Meghalaya offers a distinctive combination of natural charm, cultural diversity, and relative affordability. Yet, issues like venue capacity, accommodation, and logistics remain significant challenges compared to metro cities.”
About how the state can also get sponsorships, Manners added, “While Meghalaya presents numerous opportunities, it also comes with its own set of challenges. Infrastructure, particularly in terms of venue capacity, accommodation, and logistics, can be limiting. Ensuring adequate safety and security measures, as well as arranging for reliable sound and lighting and other production equipment, can also be daunting tasks. Furthermore, the state’s remote location can make it difficult to attract top-tier talent and secure sponsorships.”
Meanwhile, the streets around the stadium paint a vivid picture of the city’s pulse. Small-time vendors, including numerous chana walas, have set up stalls in anticipation of the influx of visitors. “This is our busiest season. Every time there’s an ISL match or a big concert, our sales skyrocket,” remarked one vendor. Another local vendor noted, “Tourists love our local snacks. It’s amazing to see so many people enjoying both the sports and the music.”
Hotels and homestays also boast full houses. Few football fans from Mumbai who are here to witness the Mumbai FC city locking horns with NEUFC spoke about how they are pleasantly surprised that this remote part of the country is now set to host Ed Sheeran and previously has hosted the likes of Bryan Adams and Akon, among several other musicians.
One tourist said, “I am getting to see an ISL match, and then staying back until the Ed Sheeran concert, and also at such a picture perfect location, and can spend the remaining days exploring this beautiful part of the country, what can ever be better.”
However, the enthusiasm isn’t universal. School kids, currently preparing for and sitting their examinations, have mixed feelings about the stadium’s dual role. “I’m excited to watch the football match with my friends, but I’m worried it might be too noisy for studying,” said a 16-year-old high school student. Another student commented, “We need quiet spaces during exams. If the stadium is always full of crowds, it could affect our concentration.”
Parents share these concerns, worried that the continuous hustle and bustle might compromise the environment necessary for academic focus.
The recent Bryan Adams concert proved the point: with hotels and homestays fully booked, many visitors had to scramble to find alternative lodging. This surge in tourism has underscored the need for improved infrastructure. According to industry insiders, the state can better accommodate its rising profile by investing in purpose-built venues, expanding accommodation facilities, and streamlining event scheduling to ensure that educational activities are not compromised.
A crucial point to note is the successful model adopted by Mumbai during Coldplay’s concert. Special buses were introduced and public transport — along with local trains — was promoted extensively to ease congestion and manage the large influx of visitors. Meghalaya could follow a similar path. By enhancing public transport options and perhaps introducing dedicated shuttle services on event days, we can significantly reduce gridlock and ensure smoother transit for everyone — from tourists and vendors to students and local residents.
In discussing how Meghalaya can break the monotony and lead the concert economy, Manners outlined several strategic improvements. Infrastructure upgrade — development of dedicated venues for concerts and sports that are separate from educational institutions. Enhanced accommodation — investment in more hotels and homestays to cater to the growing number of tourists. Efficient scheduling — coordinated planning between educational institutions, sports bodies, and event organisers to minimise conflicts.
Support for local talent — Initiatives to promote local music and cultural events that leverage the state’s unique appeal, reducing over-reliance on metro cities.
“Meghalaya has held concerts that rival those in the bigger cities,” Manners noted. “Yet, if we want to cement our position as a trendsetter, it’s imperative that we address these infrastructural and scheduling challenges.
“The state government and private stakeholders must work hand in hand to create a more independent and favorable business environment, where the ‘concert economy’ isn’t at odds with our educational commitments.”
