Members of Smokie at a news conference in Shillong on Thursday. Picture by UB Photos

Shillong, Dec. 4: From Mexican Girl to Living Next Door to Alice, their songs, over the decades, have not only become household numbers, but withstood the test of time in this generation where youngsters share a deep bonding with hip-hop music.

British pop group Smokie is expected to deliver a dazzling performance at Polo ground tomorrow evening where thousands of “Smokie-ans” are anticipated to sing along with one of the oldest bands in the world.

The band arrived at the advance landing ground in Upper Shillong here this afternoon after their performance at IG Stadium in Kohima, Nagaland, last evening as part of the Hornbill Festival.

The venue — Polo Ground Number Five — is preparing to receive Mike Craft (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Terry Uttley (bass, vocals), Mick McConnell (lead guitar, vocals), Martin Bullard (keyboards) and Steve Pinnell (drums), on stage.

This current line-up has been in place since 1996. Uttley has been with the band since 1964 when he performed with other greats like Chris Norman (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), and Alan Silson (lead guitar, vocals).

If music lovers are high on anticipation over Smokie, the band, too, is expecting something from them.

“Smokie is also expecting something from Shillong, the rock-and-roll city. We expect to see the audience rocking and rolling, singing and dancing,” Mike Craft said here today.

The band was awestruck by yesterday’s gig at Kohima, saying it was “fantastic and worth every moment”.

Smokie had first come to India eight years ago, and then too performed in a northeastern state – Mizoram. “We did not know until then that we are popular in India,” Craft said.

Uttley expressed his gratitude to Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn for giving “me a life at that time” and for giving Smokie the continuation over the years.

Tomorrow’s event is being organised by the Police Officers’ Wives Association for Care (POWAC) in collaboration with the state department of arts and culture, in association with t2.

POWAC has resolved to help children of police personnel who have fallen victim to militants in Meghalaya through a scholarship scheme. This will be generated through funds from the concert. The event also intends to generate resources for the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in aid of flood victims.

Between 2013 and 2014, 11 police personnel died while taking on militants in Garo hills.

Besides, 66 people died in the unprecedented floods which led to massive landslides in Meghalaya in September. Of these, 52 were from Garo hills and the remaining from Khasi-Jaintia hills.

Amid the gloom, the concert is expected to generate hope for children of slain police personnel and the families of those who lost their lives in the floods.

The organisers are expecting an audience of around 7,000 to 10,000 tomorrow at what could be the “event of the year” as far as Meghalaya is concerned.

From Shillong, dubbed as the “Rock Capital of India”, Smokie, according to the itinerary on their website, will travel to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Ireland this month.