India’s surging interest in live entertainment, particularly among young, affluent individuals, is attracting global music icons to perform in the world’s most populated nation.
Over the past week, Mumbai hosted performances by Dua Lipa and Maroon 5. Upcoming shows by Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Shawn Mendes, and Green Day are scheduled over the next three months. The appeal of seeing these artists live is immense, especially for fans like 23-year-old Aseem Khan from Bhopal, who expressed his excitement while waiting in line for Dua Lipa’s concert. Around 20,000 fans attended this show, many in their 20s, having traveled from various parts of India. Notably, two-thirds of India’s 1.4 billion people are under 35.
Anil Makhija, COO for live entertainment at BookMyShow, stated that India ranks as the second-largest audio streaming market for most global artists, fueling demand for live shows. Adam Wilkes, AEG’s Asia Pacific CEO, observed a shift where artists now proactively seek out Indian audiences.
Concerts aren’t the only live events thriving; comedy shows, theater performances, and other entertainment have risen by 35% compared to last year. In 2023 alone, India hosted 27,000 live events. Economists predict this concert boom will stimulate spending on travel, accommodation, food, and merchandise. Analysts at Bank of Baroda estimate annual concert-linked spending could reach $720 million to $960 million.
Infrastructure improvements and the success of large events like the IPL cricket tournament have eased logistical challenges. While India’s per capita income is roughly $2,500, the number of individuals earning over $12,000 annually has doubled to 12 million in the past five years.
Coldplay’s concert tickets ranged from $30 to $420, and their initial two shows sold out instantly, prompting additional dates. The band announced performances in Ahmedabad’s 130,000-capacity stadium, marking their largest-ever show. This growth extends beyond major metros, with smaller cities like Shillong and Pune also hosting top acts.
Ernst & Young projects that India’s live entertainment market will hit $1.7 billion by 2026, growing at an annual rate of over 20%. If this trend continues, India could rival countries like Canada, the UK, and Japan as a top market for live entertainment. Ed Sheeran, who begins his 2025 India tour in Pune, praised the nation’s enthusiasm, saying he resonates deeply with the energy of Indian audiences.
