SHILLONG: In a city where music is woven deeply into youth culture, Shillong College transformed sound into a powerful social message with its Inter-College Battle of the Bands 2025, using the stage to call for a drug-free Meghalaya.
Held at the U Soso Tham Auditorium, the event went beyond competition and entertainment. It positioned music as a voice of resistance, aligning itself with the state government’s DREAM (Drug Reduction, Elimination & Action Mission) initiative. For an evening, guitars, drums and lyrics became tools of awareness, resilience and hope.
Music with a Mission
Ten bands representing ten different colleges took to the stage, performing a mix of original compositions and cover numbers. While musical styles varied, the message remained unified: a clear rejection of substance abuse and a commitment to healthy living. Through evocative lyrics and intense performances, the young musicians addressed themes of addiction, peer pressure, recovery and the power of positive choices.
The auditorium resonated not only with applause but also with a shared sense of purpose, as students in the audience connected deeply with stories reflected through music.
A Call for Collective Action
The event was graced by Former Minister and MLA Dr. Mazel Ampareen Lyngdoh. In her address, she highlighted the alarming rise in drug abuse among youth, stressing that combating the crisis requires sustained efforts from families, institutions and communities.
She lauded Shillong College for taking the initiative, noting that youth-led cultural platforms such as music concerts can reach young minds more effectively than conventional awareness campaigns. According to her, when students speak to students, the message carries greater credibility and impact.
Excellence on Stage
After a night of intense musical exchanges, St Anthony’s College emerged as the standout performer, clinching the overall Battle of the Bands title. The college also dominated individual categories, winning Best Vocalist, Best Guitarist and Best Drummer, underscoring its musical depth and cohesion.
Judges praised all participating bands for maintaining high musical standards while seamlessly weaving anti-drug messages into their performances. The competition, they noted, succeeded in balancing artistic expression with social responsibility.
United Beyond Competition
Behind the rivalry on stage, a strong sense of solidarity emerged among the participants. In post-performance interactions, several band members spoke candidly about their experiences and motivations. One musician summed up the spirit of the evening by saying, “It is better to be addicted to music than to drugs.”
Many performers emphasized that while they competed for trophies, they were ultimately united by a common cause — protecting their peers from the dangers of substance abuse and promoting healthier alternatives through creativity.
Looking Ahead
One of the judges expressed hope that the Inter-College Battle of the Bands would expand in both scale and influence in the coming years. Organisers echoed this optimism, envisioning the event as a model that other campuses could replicate, using music, art and culture as tools for social change.
As the final chords faded and the lights dimmed, the message lingered: when young voices are empowered, music can become more than art — it can become a movement. In Shillong, that movement is striking a powerful note against drugs, one band at a time.
