SHILLONG, Feb 16: For years, Shillong has been a city where music thrives, earning it the reputation of India’s “Music Capital.”
But now, the city is evolving into something much bigger, a must-stop destination for international artists. What was once a dream for local music lovers is now becoming a reality, as global musicians are requesting Shillong as part of their India tour.
Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh summing up this transformation said, “Music has been Shillong’s intrinsic strength for decades. We made a conscious decision to bring in international bands to raise the bar for our local musicians. Today, we have arrived. Our strength has become a powerhouse. Our bands are performing at Hard Rock Cafe outlets across the country and are going global soon. We will do everything to enhance the music industry.” This shift is evident in how international management teams now approach promoters in the region. Not long ago, Shillong was rarely included in major tours. But today, when agents reach out to plan concerts in India, they don’t just ask about Mumbai or Bangalore, they ask about Shillong. Festival organisers and promoters have noticed this change firsthand. “Shillong has become a global stop for every international artist,” said the organiser of Bloomverse festival “When we contact agents and management of famous bands, they ask us if we can include Shillong. We now receive emails saying, ‘What about Shillong? Can we do a Shillong stop?’ It’s pretty amazing how global artists and their teams have started recognizing Shillong as an important venue.” This recognition isn’t just about geography, it’s mirroring the city’s enthusiastic audiences and the strong local music culture. Unlike other Indian cities, Shillong has a deeply rooted passion for live music, and its crowds are known for their energy and appreciation of diverse genres.
The same was also recognised by Ed Sheeran when he performed here when he kept mentioning how Shillong has been the loudest audience so far. At the recent Bloomverse festival, this enthusiasm was on full display. The legendary rock band Mr. Big performed in front of over 5,000 fans, a number that surprised even the organisers. Despite the concert taking place just days after the festival’s official launch, the massive turnout reinforced Shillong’s status as a serious contender in the global music scene. While the arrival of international artists is exciting in itself, what makes this shift even more significant is the exposure it brings to Shillong’s local talent. At nearly every major concert held here, local bands have gotten the opportunity to open for big-name international acts, an experience that can be career-defining. The Shillong Chamber Choir has gotten the chance to perform with Boney M and Alan Walker, while Blue Temptation and Snow white opened for Bryan Adams. Similarly, at Bloomverse, the Shillong-based band Alive was chosen as the opening act for Mr. Big. Their performance caught the attention of the international headliners, who not only recorded videos of the band but also shared them with their friends and team members. Mr. Big was so impressed that they continued talking about the band even after the event, a rare and invaluable endorsement for a group still making its way in the industry. This is not an isolated incident. Over the years, several Shillong bands have had the chance to perform alongside global artists, giving them exposure to new audiences and industry professionals. Aside from Ed Sheeran, nearly every international act performed in the city has featured a local band as an opener. Such opportunities provide local musicians with a platform that goes beyond the Northeast. They gain experience performing on larger stages, networking with global artists, and in some cases, even attracting international collaborations. This is a major step forward for the local music industry, which has long been rich in talent but lacked the necessary exposure to break into the mainstream. With more international artists eager to perform in Shillong, organisers believe this is just the beginning. “There are going to be a lot bigger acts in Shillong because globally, everyone is recognizing the city’s music culture,” said another festival promoter.
From the enthusiasm of the crowds to the rising local bands getting their time in the spotlight, Shillong’s music scene is more than just a regional phenomenon. It is a city that global artists want to perform in and where local musicians are gaining international recognition. As one promoter rightly put it, “Shillong isn’t just welcoming international artists. It’s becoming a key part of the global music circuit.”