The 26th edition of the Hornbill Music Festival will feature more than 50 bands and musicians from Nagaland, other parts of India and abroad, organisers said at a press conference. The festival is partnering with Toyota for the fifth time. This year it is also partnering with YouTube and Spotify.

The press conference was led by Abu Metha, Advisor to Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, and TaFMA Chairman Theja Meru.

Speaking at the press conference, Metha described the Hornbill Festival as perhaps the biggest brand ambassador for the state, “not just across the country, but across the globe.”

"The Hornbill Festival has become one of our most important intellectual properties. It belongs to all the Naga people. It is because of our rich culture, our traditions, the Naga way of life and what our forebears left behind for us that this festival succeeds," he said.

He said Naga culture, heritage and traditions remain at the centre of the festival. "We are giving experiential tourism to the world. People who come to Nagaland experience the Naga way of life. They take back memories of the Naga people," he said.

Metha noted that the Hornbill Festival is now one of the flagship events of the Incredible India campaign. It comprises more than 300 events held across six to seven districts, at dozens of venues and extensions. The Hornbill Music Festival is one of its flagship events and is among the biggest music festivals in India. Metha said it would grow into one of the biggest in this part of the world. More than a thousand musicians take part in the festival.

On the music festival's focus, Metha said it predominantly celebrates local and indigenous talent and independent music. "We are not a destination or an event that is trying to bring big brands and big banners and overshadow the cultural aspects. The core of the music festival is our culture, heritage and traditions," he said. He added that organisers ensure the maximum number of musicians are from Nagaland, while also giving independent artists from other parts of the country a platform to perform.

Metha described the partnership with Spotify and YouTube as a big achievement and a great opportunity for Naga musicians. Representatives and heads of Spotify will attend the festival and, besides helping organise it, will bring some of their top artists to perform. The head of YouTube Asia will also be present during the festival.