Shillong, Nov 27: The fourth edition of The Hills Festival will be held on December 1 and 2, promising a celebration of Meghalaya’s rich culture, mesmerising music, and delectable foraged flavours.
The event in the backdrop of the serene Umiam Lake in Umbir village is the homegrown music festival, organised by the visionary team at HYPE – Helping Young People Entertainment, in association with Meghalaya Tourism.
According to a statement, HYPE Media & Event Agency, an empanelled organisation with the Government of Meghalaya, spearheaded the festival in 2018 and with HYPE’s ongoing commitment for community empowerment, the festival aims to raise cultural awareness, generate youth employment, and provide curated experiences for Meghalaya’s visitors.
Throughout its three editions, the festival has played host to renowned artists such as Yung Raja, Bloodywood, Su-Real, the f16s, and Lisa Mishra etc.
This year again, the festival will celebrate the heart of Jaiñtia cuisine with the return of the Forage Aisle where culinary experts from Jaiñtia Hills will host different ingredients indigenous to the place. The festival will also host the Pig Out Affair contest showcasing the finest pork delicacies prepared by local culinary cooks. The festival also offers a vibrant flea market with games and activities and additional kids play area and reading sessions for children for a more inclusive environment. After a very successful campsite last year, the festival also offers comfortable camping tents for an immersive experience and cultural exchange at The Hills Campsite.
To ensure ease and accessibility for attendees, the festival will have water, and charging stations strategically placed for convenience and available throughout the event. The stage design also takes pride in its eco-friendly and innovative approach, incorporating use of bamboo and maintaining eco-architecture, reflecting the festival’s commitment to create an environment conscious and sustainable atmosphere.
2023 Lineup:
The festival’s lineup this year features a blend of modern beats and traditional tunes, showcasing a diverse range of genres and artists.
The Tamil Canadian artist SVDP promises to bring a unique flavour to the festival, captivating the audience with his distinct sound. One of his notable achievements is to open for 50 Cent in Mumbai.
Among the headliners is Nikhil D’Souza, renowned for his Bollywood hits with over 5 million listeners on Spotify for his popular tracks like “Mere Bina” (69 million) and “Shaam,”. Addition to the indie music fans, Anoushka Maskey is a singer songwriter, based in Sikkim/Mumbai.
Adding to the musical diversity is Tsumyoki, the winner of this year’s prestigious award the MTV Europe Music Awards in the Best Indian Local Act, beating the likes of Divine, Mali, When Chai Met Toast and Dee MC. Other artists to perform are Parimal Shais, Roman Kyn, and others.
Giving the platform to our very own regional artists like Reble, aka Daiaphi Lamare who has made waves with her performances in stages like Boiler Room Tv, Bacardi NH7 Weekender, and many other stages.
The dynamic duo Shillong’s producer Adiel Massar aka adL and rapper Dappest, Dappest x adL are also slated to perform in the festival.
McLivin also known as Eli Budnah is a talented musician, DJ, and remixer who has a mass fan base in Shillong.
With the rising popularity of electronic music in the state, The festival presents an immersive experience at the Electronic Hills Stage, featuring the innovative beats of Blot!, a pioneer in the electronic music scene. Blot! has made his mark with appearances in Boiler Room and is popular amongst the techno music fans. Other artists to perform in the electronic stage are Nida, who has played for biggest stages from Magnetic Fields to DGTL, and Echoes of the Earth having shared the limelight with Stingray and Jensen Interceptor in India.
Smokey is a powerhouse DJ and music producer from Mumbai. She has performed in grand stages of NH7 Weekender, Life in Color festival and many others. Other artists to perform at the electronic stage are Film, Demiurgic, Arpan, Varun, Nishant and others.
“We at HYPE aim to create a space where people young and old can discover new sounds, connect with diverse cultures audience”, said Sahil Majaw, Proprietor of HYPE
“Beyond all the fun, the festival is a platform for two days of immersive cultural exchange, and empowering local entrepreneurs.” – said Rida Tariang, Co-founder.
Charge
Day 1 Pass: 999/-
Day 2 Pass: 1099/-
Festival Season Pass: 1799/ (for both days)
Available on: skillboxes.com
Website: The Hills Festival
INFORMATION
What: The Hills Festival Meghalaya
When: December 1 & 2, 2023
Where: Lum ‘Er Pyngngad, Umbir, Meghalaya
Instagram & Facebook: @thehillsfestivalmeghalaya
For event inquiries, contact: Sahil Majaw, HYPE | +918794135465
For media/press inquiries, contact: Heena Grover Menon | +917798982838
Utkarsh Mahajan | +917721881963
Aarya Dhamande | +918087006101
