The cover of an Afro Dizzi Act album

Shillong, Aug. 12: The band is from Brisbane, the music has the flavour of the Caribbean and the harsh reality of a Boston ghetto, the stage is Shillong and the occasion is the celebration of freedom.

The Australian band, Afro Dizzi Act, will belt out some foot-tapping numbers and a mind-boggling array of funk, hip-hop, rap and reggae music at Polo Grounds on Independence Day.

For the uninitiated, the Brisbane group plays an extraordinary matrix of fusion music and electronic sounds. Their innovative approach has held the audience in thrall at festivals and gigs across the world since 1997, pushing musical boundaries to the limit through electrifying performances. Audio Cookie, their debut album, continues to sell.

The musical evening is part of the government’s attempt to make Independence Day a true celebration, Robert G. Lyngdoh, Meghalaya home (police) minister, said. The extravaganza would be put together by Springboard Inc. to encourage talents by listening to chart-topping numbers from an international band, Lyngdoh, a regular jammer with the immensely popular band, Mojo, added.

The government means business since the Hynniewtrep National Liberation Council has asked people to boycott the Independence Day celebrations. Plans are afoot to set up food stalls at the venue, while 25 schools are expected to present cultural items and colourful parades.

The band has whipped up considerable curiosity in Shillong, said Keith Wallang, the brain behind Springboard. “I first listened to Afro Dizzi Act at Jazzmandu, a music festival in Nepal. Since then, I have wanted the group to perform in Shillong. When I put forward the idea to the government, which was thinking of ways to celebrate Independence Day, it saved me the effort of running from pillar to post and looking for sponsors,” he explained.

Though the band would perform under tight security, people have been confused about whether or not to defy the ban imposed by the militant outfit and have a musical blast on August 15.