Meghalaya is known for having strong musical roots and an abundance of musical talent; with Shillong, the state’s capital, even being previously referred to as India’s Rock Capital. Given the changing times and the birth of so many new genres of music, we feel that emerging musical artists could do with grassroots musical platforms where they can hone their art and take this musical legacy forward.

These platforms – while providing employment and sustenance to Artistes, Technical Vendors, up-and-coming Event Firms, etc. – will also offer Tourists visiting our state a variety of musical entertainment options to enjoy. Besides this, we foresee our streets, cafes & clubs come alive with these live music events.

The Street Performance Platform

Street performances are simple, yet sophisticated, complex businesses of appropriating, maintaining, and exploiting liminal spaces on city streets where entertainment can thrive.

While Street Performances are a steady source of income for artists in other parts of the world, here in Meghalaya, with all the readily available talent, have yet to embrace this very viable method of income generation using the Arts. Hence, we wish to use this platform to rise above the taboos that may be hindering this possibility and show the way forward – much like Ed Sheeran, Passenger, Tracey Chapman, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Rod Steward, Tash Sultana, Damien Rice, James Bay, George Michael, Pierce Brothers and the like have done.

To kick start this platform, spaces in Khyndailad, Laitumkhrah, Mawkdok and Sohra will be bases for this activity.

(Artistes that wish to perform on this platform may call +91 81052 39676 / +91 88370 49926 between 1-6 PM only)

The Music Café Platform

What do the great Singer-Songwriters like Bob Dylan, Joan Baez, Joni Mitchell and the like have in common? They cut their teeth performing their music at small café gigs in the 50’s & 60’s. With intimate settings and the adventageous possibilities of audience interactions, all these greats honed their craft at these places and then blossomed into the world famous performers they are now.

In Shillong, café gigs have taken place over the years, although not consistently. It is precisely this inconsistency that requires necessary change, so that ideas such as these become sustainable in the long run; while at the same time entertaining visitors & residents in the city.
We will be working with cafés in Shillong, Jowai and Tura which will host these café gigs on a regular basis.

(Artistes that wish to perform on this platform may call +91 81052 39676 / +91 88370 49926 between 1-6 PM only)

Calendar Of Specially Curated Music Events

Tourists traveling from every nook and corner of our country make up a ready market of takers for good music and entertainment – if they are readily on offer. In view of this, a Calendar of Events has been created and includes popular special events that have taken place previously, along with some new additions. These special events will provide entertainment for a wide-ranging audience.

Touring Fund for Artistes

Meghalaya is situated far from metros where popular venues that host regular musical performances are located (such as Hard Rock Cafés). This makes touring for our Artistes either difficult or at times, impossible. For this circumstance, we have come up with a fund to subsidize Artistes travel costs to enable them to plan out tours and to support the release of their Albums, EPs, etc. This funding will enable our Artistes’ music to reach a wider audience.

(Artistes wishing to avail of this fund are to write in to: megh.grassroots.music.project@gmail.com for details)