Shillong,Dec 6: The fifth edition of the Me’gong Festival 2025 opened to a vibrant start in the Garo Hills, drawing a massive turnout on the inaugural day. Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma attended the opening ceremony of the state’s flagship cultural festival, which featured international artists, homegrown musicians, traditional sports and indigenous cuisine.
The Aski Stage hosted a star-studded line-up, beginning with pop-rock artist Richard Marx, who performed several of his popular songs along with tracks from his upcoming album Afterhours. He expressed his delight at performing in Meghalaya and shared his appreciation for the festival audience.
Singer Neeti Mohan delivered a high-energy set featuring Bollywood hits such as Ishq Wala Love, Jiya Re, Tu Hai Toh and London Thumakda. She concluded her performance with retro classics including Lag Jaa Gale and Naina Tose Lage. In a tribute to Zubeen Garg, who was born in Tura, she performed Mayabini, a song beloved by fans across the region.
The evening continued with a reggae performance by Julian Marley, followed by an electrifying set from electronic music artist Nucleya, who closed the night with a high-energy act that drew large crowds to the festival arena.
Local artists also made a strong mark, with performances by Haystack Ladies, Strum Stories and Ahaia showcasing Meghalaya’s expanding music scene. A key highlight was the performance by the Top 7 finalists of the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Project (CM-MGMP), an initiative aimed at supporting emerging artists across the state. The bands included Nictophilia, Magneficient Obsession, Necroscope, Emberfall, Imphaled, Misagathia and Rise & Shine.
Culinary attractions added to the festival’s vibrancy as the Great Garo Hills Cook Off returned with wide participation. MasterChef India Season 8 runner-up Nambie Jessica Marak joined as a special guest. Participants presented traditional dishes and fusion cuisine prepared using locally sourced ingredients.
Beyond music and food, visitors engaged in activities such as traditional sports including Anding Oka, explored the Brew Village, experienced virtual reality at the VR Zone and interacted with local artisans and cultural performers. Stalls under the PRIME Meghalaya programme showcased local food, handicrafts and beverages.
The opening day highlighted Meghalaya’s rising cultural and tourism landscape, supported by global artists, local talent and growing creative infrastructure.
With the first day concluding successfully, the festival prepares for an eventful Day 2. Scheduled performances include Blue, Yellow Claw, Kanika Kapoor and Prateek Kuhad on the Aski Stage, while the Kingfisher Stage will feature Hoi Hoi Makbil, G-Hills Finest, Crack Gang, Rough Road and Nokpante, along with the Cosplay Contest and other cultural activities.
