Source: Press release
Meghalaya’s rapidly rising position in concert and cultural landscape reached a new milestone as Me’gong Festival 2025 concluded with a spectacular two-day celebration in the heart of the Garo Hills, drawing over 55,000 visitors from across the Northeast and beyond. With global headliners, celebrated Indian performers and powerful local talent sharing the stage, the festival delivered one of the region’s most memorable showcases of music, culture and community spirit.
Recognised as one of Northeast India’s largest music and cultural gatherings, Me’gong Festival 2025 further strengthened Meghalaya’s growing reputation as a natural hub for global live music and creative tourism.
Day 2: A Power-Packed Finale with Global and Indian Superstars
The festival climaxed on a high-energy note on Day 2, as an extraordinary line-up headlined the Aski Stage. British pop sensation Blue, global EDM duo Yellow Claw, singer-songwriter Prateek Kuhad, and Bollywood favourite Kanika Kapoor delivered electrifying back-to-back performances to roaring crowds.
Antony Costa of Blue shared his excitement, saying,
“Garo Hills’ Me’gong Festival is amazing! The crowd was on fire.”
The band members Simon Webbe, Antony Costa, Lee Ryan and Duncan James thanked the audience with heartfelt words:
“Great, great turnout; thank you everybody. One love to you all! Garo Hills is amazing a paradise.”
Kanika Kapoor lit up the stage with a string of chart-toppers including Chittiyaan Kalaiyan, Baby Doll, Jawaani Le Doobi, Desi Girl, London Thumakda, and many more. Performing in Meghalaya for the second time, she praised the state’s audiences as among the best she has ever encountered.
The evening then shifted into an emotional groove with Prateek Kuhad’s soulful melodies such as Saansein and Cold Mess, drawing thousands into a quiet, reflective musical experience.
The nostalgia peaked with Blue’s iconic pop anthems, as the crowd sang along to One Love, All Rise, Guilty, and One Last Time, turning the festival ground into a giant shared chorus.
The night ended with an explosive EDM finale by Yellow Claw, transforming the Bolbokgre-Watregre Festival Ground into a vibrant sea of lights, beats and cheering fans.
Earlier on the Kingfisher Stage, crowd favourites including Hoi Hoi Makbil, G-Hills Finest, Crack Gang, Rough Road and Nokpante set the tone with powerful regional performances that kept the audience engaged throughout the evening.
Day 1: A Historic Opening with International Legends
The festival’s remarkable momentum was set on the opening day, featuring a star-studded line-up of Richard Marx, Neeti Mohan, Julian Marley and Nucleya.
Legendary singer-songwriter Richard Marx delivered a rare and memorable performance in India, presenting his timeless classics alongside unreleased tracks from his upcoming album Afterhours.
Neeti Mohan drew massive crowds with her Bollywood hits, but it was her emotional rendition of Mayabini a tribute to Assamese icon Zubeen Garg in his birthplace of Tura that became one of the most shared and talked-about moments of the festival.
International flavour continued with Julian Marley’s reggae set, followed by Nucleya’s high-octane performance, which sealed Day 1 as a musical spectacle rarely seen in the region.
A Transformational Platform for Young Musicians
The Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme (CM-MGMP) remained a cornerstone of the festival’s cultural mission. Seven emerging CM-MGMP bands performed on opening day, sharing the same stage as international stars an opportunity many young artists described as career-defining.
Several performers stated that the experience marked the biggest platform of their musical journeys so far, reinforcing the festival’s role in shaping the next generation of talent from Meghalaya.
Beyond Music: A Complete Cultural Experience
Me’gong Festival 2025 extended far beyond concerts. Visitors enjoyed a wide array of immersive activities, including:
- The Great Garo Hills Cook-Off, where traditional recipes were reimagined using indigenous ingredients, judged with special presence by Nambie Jessica Marak, runner-up of MasterChef India Season 8
- Traditional sports and cultural performances
- A lively Brew Village
- A vibrant Cosplay Contest
- Miss & Mr Me’gong Contest
- Bustling craft and food markets
- VR experiences
- Entrepreneurial stalls under PRIME Meghalaya
Families, tourists and culture lovers thronged the venue throughout the weekend, turning the festival into a dynamic celebration of tradition and modern creativity.
Meghalaya’s Growing Concert Economy on the National Map
The festival was graced on opening day by Shri Conrad K. Sangma, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, whose continued vision is steadily positioning the state as a key destination in India’s Concert Economy.
Over recent years, global performers have increasingly chosen Meghalaya as a natural stop for their India tours, driven by the state’s energetic audiences and unique cultural identity. Festivals such as Me’gong, Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival and Winter Tales have played a pivotal role in transforming Meghalaya into a cultural powerhouse of the Northeast.
A Festival That Leaves a Lasting Impact
As the lights dimmed over the Bolbokgre-Watregre grounds, Me’gong Festival 2025 left behind unforgettable performances, strengthened cultural pride and a renewed sense of identity for the Garo Hills.
With music, food, tradition, innovation and community blending seamlessly, Me’gong Festival 2025 was not just an event it was a landmark moment in Meghalaya’s evolving cultural story.
