Reble Delivers Power-Packed Set At Northeast Music Festival Attended By Rahul Gandhi

Meghalaya-born rapper Reble delivered a standout performance at the North East Music Festival – Sound Without Conflict, held at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium on February 22, drawing praise from music fans and cultural commentators alike.

The free-entry festival, the first time the event toured to the national capital, showcased a vibrant mix of folk, indie, rock and hip-hop rooted in the diverse musical traditions of India’s northeast region.

Among the crowd was Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who was photographed engaging with artists, including Reble, and later shared moments from the evening on social media, emphasising the cultural richness and unifying power of northeast music.

Born in West Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya, Reble has been building her reputation across the region for several years. Her breakthrough into the wider Indian music scene came last year with contributions to the soundtrack of the Bollywood film Dhurandhar, where tracks like “Naal Nachna” and “Run Down The City – Monica” introduced her sharp lyrical style to a broader audience.

At the festival, Reble’s energetic set was a highlight of the evening, but she was one of several artists representing the northeast’s eclectic soundscape. Performances ranged from the folk rhythms of Rewben Mashangva and the fusion of rap and rock by Borkung Hrangkhawl, to the folk-pop blend of the Tetseo Sisters and the melodic folk-rock of Taba Chake.

The night concluded on a high note with a blues-infused hard rock finale by veteran band Parikrama, joined by Rudy Wallang and Girish Pradhan of GATC.

Organisers framed the festival around the idea that northeast music, with its deep ties to community, identity and resilience, deserves wider recognition beyond regional boundaries. Interactive segments, community spaces and cultural exhibits ensured the event felt like a celebration of heritage as much as a concert.

For Reble and her fellow performers, the night in Delhi reinforced a growing belief that northeast music is ready to take centre stage in India’s cultural conversation.