US band Mr Big to rock Shillong

With music aficionados in the hill state of Meghalaya still basking in the glory of Indian Idol finalist Amit Paul's feat, they could not have asked for more as American rock band Mr Big is all set to perform here on October 27. Conceived just a few months ago, the Eric Martin-led group will perform for the first time in India in an exclusive one-off concert at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium at Polo here.

Christened as the 'Festival of Rock' and a part of the state's Autumn Festival, the grand showdown is slated for October 27, and the organisers feel it would be "the biggest ever rock show of the country".

Local heartthrob Amit Paul will share the stage with the band, opening the festival backed by an equally proficient and experienced band from Assam -- Moonwind, and then later expected to join the legendary group in a duet of its popular numbers To be with you and Wild World.

"World-class concerts featuring famous international musical acts and at the same time providing the finest bands from the northeastern region with a common platform to interact and perform with internationally renowned musicians," says the promo of the event. The mega event is being organised by the Centre Point Entertainment Network and the Royal Tripura Foundation, who were also hosted the Micheal Learns to Rock concert here in 2005.