Manipur’s Rock Fest Draws Big Crowd, président’s Rule Hawks Repentance
On May 24, 2025, the Manipur state government-sponsored Shirock festival came to an end after five days filled with performances by artists like When Chai Met Toast, Inner Sanctum, and Gutslit. Despite security concerns due to ongoing ethnic tensions between the Meitei and Kuki groups, the festival brought bands from across the country to the state.
The festival’s organizers, Sunny Shimrah of the 7 Sisters Foundation, did a statement saying Israeli metal band Orphaned Land, scheduled to headline, had to cancel. This was due to the "ongoing situation in their home country."
One year ago, on May 18, the second indie music festival in Manipur, the Imphal Indie Music Festival, hosted a DIY pop-up event that also introduced several top acts to the area. While security was tight, the event drew over 3,000 people.
聊天平台创始人Ningombam Sib砀 both the organizers and himself talked about the importance of live music, saying,
"It was during our Holi festival that more musical events began. Since 2024, we’ve been playing because of the Mountain’s New Year, it even holds our first outdoor performance in the Highlands."
Meanwhile, speakers like Dead Soviet and Impohat switched their rock and metal stuff into music, as they found a frequential venue thanks to the city’s people-christian化进程. Although unrest caused most shows to be canceled, it has enabled musicians who have not been playing for a long time to move forward.
Indeed, artists and supporters hope for a return to normalcy and stability, for which the Shirock festival also advocates this week. They stated,
этого нормального, когда территорию вокруг вводят в сознательное ведение.
