UK-based Bon Jovi tribute band to perform at ShiRock
Source: Chronicle News Service / R Lester Mamang

Ukhrul, April 30 2023: ShiRock2023 is all set to be headlined by two international bands; Israel's "Orphaned Land" and Bon Jovi's tribute band "Bon Giovi" from the United Kingdom.

This year, the rock festival which is conducted annually in Ukhrul town as part of the statelevel Shirui Lily Festival will be managed by 7 Sisters Foundation.

According to a highly-placed source, 7 Sisters Foundation has made all necessary arrangements to bring in the two international bands to perform on the opening and closing days of the forthcoming ShiRock festival, which is scheduled for May 17-20 .

It disclosed that the organisers have already confirmed all flights and other arrangements for "Bon Giovi" and their Visa has also been secured.

"Bon Giovi" will open the rock festival on the inaugural day on May 17.The source informed that advance payments for both the international bands have been completed and the rest of the payments for the other local bands are also getting done.

It said that all that is now left to be done is to get the Visa for "Orphaned Land , who will be playing to close out the musical festival on May 20 .

"It is expected that every thing will be sorted out by Monday or Tuesday," it added.

According to the source, the 7 Sisters Foundation being the event manager, has already incurred expenses of over Rs 35 lakh from their pocket as the state government has not sanctioned any funds for the festival till date.

"From flight tickets and visa applications to making bookings for the two international bands, and others, the event organisers have taken care of, keeping in mind the fast approaching date of the festival.

This is because they simply cannot afford to wait for the allocated funds from the government," it said.

Meanwhile, countdown to the rock festival of the year is all set to roll as the opening day of the rock festival will kick off with spectacular performances from local bands The Family Band (Imphal), 1 BHK (Ukhrul, 2022's runners-up) and one more band which is yet to be named.

These bands will play ahead of the headliner "Bon Giovi" .

On May 18, the Local Night events will be invigorated by the performance of Pune-based Zyphertone ahead of the headliner "Bon Giovi" and on May 19, there will be a lineup of various bands from all over the country such as Still Water (Sikkim), Agni (Mumbai), Inner Sanctum (Bangalore) and also Rajesh Nepali (Kathmandu) .

Finally, on May 20, the festival will come to a crescendo with performances by Featherheads (Ukhrul), Arogya (Assam) and two more bands followed by the headliner - Orphaned Land.

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