The happiest music festival, NH7 is now a pan Indian phenomenon, hitting almost 5 rich, music-centric cities. However, it started with humble beginnings at Pune, way back in 2010. Each year they add new venues to their ever-expansive list. This year, in a first, they’ve decided to spread their wings to North-East India, with a perfect choice of city, Shillong.
Shillong has always been somewhat of a cultural hub, and has been a kind of epicenter for Music and the Arts in the North Eastern states. It’s home to some of the best musical ensembles, bands and artists from North East part of India. It’s almost a goldmine for untapped talent.
Apart from it being so culturally and musically rich, Shillong is also magnificently beautiful. It’s luscious natural grandeur makes it a perfect get-away spot for many tourists from other parts of India and abroad. Since NH7 is always about being a getaway from every day life, there probably couldn’t have been a better choice of city.
Here are few reasons why you NH7 Shillong should be on your list of festivals you HAVE to hit..
1) The Journey There
A lot of what makes a half decent get-away is the journey there. To be filled with excitement right from when you start, and have it build up and reach its pinnacle till you hit the festival gates, is something anyone who’s been to a music festival would be all too familiar with. Getting to Shillong by road is your best option. To watch the mystical appeal of the mountains while you ascend to a a city in the middle of beautiful hills, covered with more shades of green than you even knew existed, the clouds whispering past you, and the gorgeous waterfalls that dot the country side.
2) Exclusive Chartered Flights to Shillong courtesy Air NH7
If road-trips aren’t your thing, you can also book a chartered flight to Shillong. The event organiser Only Much Louder (OML) is chartering an exclusive flight “Air NH7” for die-hard fans going to the Northeastern leg of the festival.
The travel package priced at Rs. 13,500 includes: Mumbai to Guwahati and return along with pick-up and drop from the nearest airport Guwahati to Shillong city.
3) Shillong’s Magnificence.
Shillong has always been referred to as the Scotland Of The East. Primarily because of the vast numbers of British settlements back during the Raj. The climate and the rolling hills of the city was so much like the Scottish Highlands, that it was christened so. The remnants of the British era can still be seen around the city with so many Victorian influences in the architecture of the buildings around the city. It literally feels like you’re walking around a piece of History
4) The Climate
A large part of what makes Shillong so appealing is the climate. It’s geographical location and scarce population makes it untouched by pollution, and relatively more pleasant than other low-lying Indian cities. Who wouldn’t love breathing in clean, fresh and crisp air, after getting away from the murdering heat of metropolitan cities like Delhi or Mumbai? Now imagine listening to gorgeous music with that climate around you. Already sets your mind racing, doesn’t it?
5) The Cultural Heritage
Shillong has always been a cultural hub for the North Eastern states. Some of the coolest bands in India, have their origins in Shillong. The appreciation for quality music in the city is probably at a higher degree than most other Indian cities. It is literally a gold mine of untapped talents and probably has more bands and artists residing here than any other part of the North East. Soulmate is one of the best musical export for Shillong in terms of blues and rock ‘n’ roll. They have performed in many gigs around the world including 23rd International Blues Challenge organized by The Blues Foundation of America, in Memphis, Tennessee, USA, in February 2007 and 2010 and have opened for rock giants like Carlos Santana.
6) The People
Rock band Sycorax-Thrush Death performs at a show organised at Polo Grounds shillong on 10-05-14.pix by ub photos
Within the music space, Shillong is often referred to as the Rock Capital of India, for obvious reasons. The demand and appreciation for Rock music here, is higher than any other city in India. Added to that, the large number of Colleges and Universities, make Shillong a bustling city for the youth. From fashion to food habits, rock is more than a genre of music for its society. In short, the general enthusiasm of the people towards rock can add a different dimension to the whole notion of its being the rock capital.
7) The Line Up
Apart from the iconic headliners, Megadeth (whom, ideally, should be reason enough for you to hit a festival if you’re a rock lover), there are a wide spectrum of extremely talented Indian acts performing there as well. From rock, to bass, to glitch, whatever be your genre of preference, you can definitely find an act to satiate your music needs. Here are some of the other acts on the line up:
The Wailers
Kailasa
Paon and The East India Company
Parikrama
Soulmate
Lou Maojaw & Friends
Shaa’r + Func
Swarathma
Ankur & The Ghalal Family
Undying Inc
EZ Riser
The F16’s
Scribe
Dualist Inquiry Band
Bombay Bassment
Borkung Hrangkhawl
Sound Avtar
Imphal Talkies
Summersalt
Street Stories
Nicholson
Skrat
Blackstrat Blues
If these hasn’t sold you yet, the most important reason that you should give Bacardi NH7 Shillong a visit, is because it’s Bacardi NH7! If past experience has taught us, or any other festival goer anything, is that Bacardi NH7 is truly the happiest music festival. The sheer vibes of positivity and warmth, are unmatched. So hurry up, call up your travel buddies and start packing!
Here’s a video to give you an exact idea of what you can expect,
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