Kakivi Chishi, Festival Director, and team with Moko Koza at the press conference held at Aiko Hall, Dimapur on September 30. (Morung Photo)
Flagship music & cultural fest to debut on October 17
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 30
Nagaland is ready to take the global stage with Ahibi Fest 2025, a flagship music and cultural festival set to debut on October 17 at Agri Expo, Dimapur.
Hosted by Ahibi, an event management platform, the festival will feature an eclectic mix of international and regional talent. Headlining the event is Iyaz, the international R&B star best known for the global hit ‘Replay.’ Sharing the stage will be Sono Lem, the acclaimed rapper from Arunachal Pradesh, along with his crew 790001, and a strong line-up of celebrated artists from Nagaland.
The announcement was made today during a press conference at Aiko Hall, Dimapur. Festival Director Kakivi Chishi addressed the media on behalf of KAKI, Ahibi.in, and EDGE E, the official marketing and ticketing partners for the event.
Chishi said that Ahibi Fest is not “just another concert” but a cultural movement designed to celebrate music, creativity, and community. “This will be the kind of stage that does for Nagaland what Sunburn did for Goa, what Lollapalooza did for Pune, because Nagaland is ready,” he remarked.
The festival will bring together Nagaland’s finest voices, including Lenen Jamir, Hentok Konyak, Keneisenuo Sorhie, Moko Koza, Kivika Assumi, DJ Lil Bomb, Sunep Lemtur, and Aseno Metha, hosted by Eva Jamir and Iuli Yeptho. The diverse line-up promises a vibrant showcase of genres, reflecting the state’s remarkable artistry and spirit.
Highlighting the significance of the festival, Chishi noted that with 65 percent of Nagaland’s population under 35, the state is one of the youngest and most music-driven in India. “The youth are hungry for a bigger stage—one that matches their energy, culture, and global ambition. While the Northeast is buzzing with concerts, Nagaland has lacked a cultural IP (intellectual property) that we can truly call our own,” he said.
Beyond entertainment, Ahibi Fest aims to make a wider impact by creating jobs, boosting tourism, attracting brands, and giving local artists international exposure. It will empower young people by offering internships in ticketing, hospitality, sound, lighting, marketing, and media. These roles, he said, will provide practical experience, creative responsibilities, mentorship, and the opportunity to build a live event portfolio, with the potential for full-time careers.
It will also feature food and beverage stalls alongside entrepreneurial showcases, offering local and regional flavours to enhance the atmosphere.
He stressed that Ahibi Fest is more than a one-off event—it is envisioned as a flagship festival for Nagaland, designed to grow bigger and brighter with every edition.
The event is supported by a wide range of sponsors, including Fav Events, Dew Drops, Ilandlo, Ark Travels, Melita Luxury Skincare, Naro Ki, Kaki Studios, TAFMA, Government of Nagaland, Niathu Group’s Hotels and Resorts, Zub Zub, Exide, NE Truss, and Ixigo.
Tickets are now on sale at www.ahibi.in. While early bird tickets are already sold out, Chishi informed that Phase 2 tickets are also selling fast. Physical tickets will be available from October 1 at outlets across Dimapur, Chümoukedima, Wokha, Mokokchung, and Kohima.
He encouraged fans to secure their tickets early, adding that exclusive promotions, festival offers, and engagement activities including a reel contest will soon be revealed on Ahibi Fest’s social media platforms.
On behalf of the organisers, Chishi expressed gratitude to the partners, artists, and people of Nagaland for supporting this historic initiative.
