The tired old cliché of Shillong being the ‘Rock Capital of India’ should be consigned to the scrap heap but, say what you will about it, the state capital is growing as a concert venue like never before.
Wednesday will see Ed Sheeran perform on the latest stop of his current tour. In the last few months alone the city has hosted Akon and Bryan Adams and more is to come. Of course, these artists have fees and, if a venue is able to meet that fee, you would expect them to show up in Timbuktu if they get paid what they want. But beyond money, a venue still has to have creature comforts, security, transport links and an ecosystem that supports such events.
So, for a town like Shillong, which is no metro, nor even a Tier 2 city, to rope in these high profile acts is an impressive feat.
However, one aspect that still requires work is the venue itself.
Sheeran will be performing at the JN Stadium in the Polo area of Shillong two months after Adams. What was striking is that on Monday a press conference was held featuring the Deputy Commissioner of East Khasi Hills and not one but two senior police officers of the rank of Superintendent. At this press conference they went into great detail about traffic arrangements, parking, security, etc – all of which was for a private affair. For the Bryan Adams concert schools in the city were ordered to close to ease traffic congestion. That is not happening this time but that is probably only because board exams are going on.
Shillong thus appears unready to host such large-scale events if so much government effort has to be devoted to pulling off a concert. The officials on Monday said some 26,000 people are expected to attend. That many people jammed into an already congested part of the city and a neighbourhood that is one of Shillong’s less salubrious should make the authorities nervous.
The other issue raised in various quarters is the use of the JN Stadium for non-sport-related activities. The stadium has only recently undergone extensive renovations (in fact, the site is nowhere near 100 percent ready) and the turf has been carefully transformed into a pristine natural grass surface.
It is feared that concerts with thousands of people and the weight of equipment and other paraphernalia could cause damage to the surface. This issue is more acute given that the stadium is set to host two more Indian Super League matches and two international games between now and March 25. Understandably, however, the government wants to capitalise on the venue and recoup some of the tremendous costs that have gone into it. It has stated that the turf protector purchased for the ground is up to the mark to ensure that the grass remains in an excellent condition. Let us all – music fans and sports fans – hope so.
