SHILLONG:
The excitement regarding the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival had begun to build when the official Instagram page of the Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, on September 28, teased fans with a tantalising audio clip challenging them to guess the headliner for one of the festival days. The comments section erupted with enthusiastic guesses, with some artiste names sounding almost too good to be true. But as fans have come to expect, when it’s the Cherry Blossom Festival lineup, dreams do come true.
Come October 13, and the big reveal finally took place, sending ripples of excitement through the fan base. The mystery voice behind the audio clip was none other than NE-YO, a three-time Grammy winner and the reigning No.1 R&B artiste in the world. NE-YO will grace the stage on day 2 of the Cherry Blossom Festival 2023, promising an unforgettable performance that will have festival-goers dancing the night away.
The festival boasts an impressive lineup of international and homegrown talent. Irish sensation Ronan Keating will take the stage on day 3, serenading the crowd with his timeless classics.
Day 1 will see the Indian pop-rock sensation Sanam, known for their heartwarming renditions of Bollywood classics, delivering an electrifying performance.
Day 3, on the other hand, will witness the pulsating beats of Jonas Blue, the mastermind behind “Perfect Strangers, among other chart-toppers. South Korean band SURL, recognised for their fresh take on British rock and blues, and the dynamic duo Pink Panda will also set the festival on fire alongside Kenny Musik.
Beyond the international stars, the festival will showcase an array of exceptional homegrown talent from the Northeastern region. Artistes like Evergreen Lou Majaw, Blue Temptation, Da Minot, Rhem, Hoap, Wanjop, Banrap, Dj Favian, Young Natee, Rica Stella, Zeethan, Dbryn, Gwyneth, Dalariti, and many more will make their mark, not just in India but on the global stage.
The Shillong Cherry Blossom Festival, a cherished tradition in Northeastern India will set the stage for a unique celebration of cherry blossom flowers. This enigmatic event, a fusion of diverse musical experiences, is about to unfold at the RBDSA Sports Complex in Ri Bhoi district on November 17, 18 and 19. As the countdown to the festival begins, one thing’s for sure – Shillong is set to blossom with the magic of music.