Rocking concert economy taking shape in India

Record-breaking shows becoming big economic force

- VAISHALI DAR

THE COUNTRY ROCKED to Coldplay, Travis Scott, Ed Sheeran, Enrique Iglesias, Shawn Mendes, and Guns N' Roses this year, while singer-musician AP Dhillon, American rapper Post Malone, Grammy-winning guitar legend Tom Morello, and Sunburn Festival 2025 attractions David Guetta, Sara Landry, Axwell, Above & Beyond are set to rock the year-end.

Bollywood singer Sonu Nigam's Satrangi Re India Tour is already on and will cover seven Indian cities, while Sunidhi Chauhan will perform in Delhi this month-end. The new year will host Lollapalooza India with Linkin Park and Playboi Carti in Mumbai; Lumineers in Delhi-NCR, and Bandland 2026 in Bengaluru.

With blockbuster tours by Coldplay, Bryan Adams, Travis Scott, Akon and Enrique Iglesias drawing record crowds and upcoming calendar featuring Rolling Loud, Lionel Messi’s GOAT India Tour; David Guetta, Jacob Collier, and The Script, India is fast emerging as the next big stage for live music and entertainment. This is transforming not just the entertainment landscape, but also tourism, hospitality, aviation, and local economies.

AS PER A white paper titled'India's Live Events Economy: A Strategic Growth Imperative', released earlier this year at the WAVES2025 summit, the live events industry is valued at over ₹20,800 crore in FY25, having grown 15% in the past year. It is projected to double by 2030, signalling a vibrant new growth engine for India's creative economy.PM Modi has lauded this phenomenon, and stressed on how global artistes and fans are recognising India's growing significance on the international touring map.