The picturesque hills of Meghalaya are set to resonate with world-class music as internationally acclaimed Polish guitarist, composer and producer Marcin Patrzałek arrives in Shillong.
As part of his Marcin, Art of Guitar Tour 2026, the global sensation is scheduled to perform on August 12, 2026, at the Lariti Performing Centre in Mawkasiang, Shillong. The event marks an important milestone in the state’s efforts to connect its local creative energy with the global music landscape.
Visiting the region for the first time, Marcin shared his immediate fascination with Meghalaya’s serene landscapes. Describing his journey into the city, he said he could not stop capturing videos through his car window from the moment he left the airport, mesmerised by the vibrant and exotic surroundings.
For the artist, arriving in Meghalaya felt like stepping into an entirely different world. He also highlighted the warmth of Indian audiences, expressing his joy at sharing his distinctive, percussive instrumental style with crowds that listen so deeply.
Beyond his own performance, Marcin hopes his visit will help establish sustainable international touring routes for other global artists while creating meaningful opportunities for cultural exchange.
A central element of Marcin’s visit is his direct engagement with Shillong’s vibrant community of young musicians. Supported by the Chief Minister’s Meghalaya Grassroots Music Programme (CM-MGMP), the guitarist will participate in organic jam sessions and interactive workshops with local students, buskers and emerging musicians.
Marcin warmly commended the state’s initiative for providing a natural and accessible platform where young artists can experiment, collaborate and learn across diverse genres.
In a celebration of local artistic heritage, the concert will also feature an impressive line-up of home-grown opening acts representing different regions of the state.
Prominently featured will be CM-MGMP’s Achiever of the Month in the Music Edition, Chegim Durama, representing the Garo Hills, alongside the Leo Boys from the Khasi Hills and Larger Than 90 from the Jaintia Hills. They will be joined by other MGMP band members and artists throughout the evening.
The collaborative stage reflects the vision of Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K. Sangma, who has consistently emphasised that the state’s extraordinary musical talent deserves recognition on the global stage.
Widely celebrated as the ‘abode of clouds’ and affectionately known as the ‘land of guitars’, Shillong has a deep-rooted musical culture in which music is woven into everyday life.
Through partnerships between the Chief Minister, the Department of Tourism and the CM-MGMP, Meghalaya is actively expanding economic opportunities for its musicians. The initiative facilitates paid busking performances at popular tourist destinations, enabling local performers to earn sustainable livelihoods while enriching the cultural experience for visitors.
By hosting an artist of Marcin’s calibre, renowned worldwide for his inventive blend of fingerstyle and percussive guitar techniques with electronic and orchestral production, Meghalaya is reinforcing its vision of a thriving creative economy.
The initiative aims to build a robust live-touring market over the coming decade by attracting leading global performers while inspiring local musicians to reach the international stage.
Through these collaborative efforts, Shillong is steadily strengthening its position as a vibrant meeting point for music, tourism and community.
