India's music concert scene is witnessing remarkable growth with increasing attendance and high-profile performances from artists like Diljit Dosanjh, AP Dhillon, Bryan Adams, Dua Lipa, Maroon 5, and Coldplay. Yet, alongside this surge, audiences have been met with serious concerns over the infrastructure supporting such events.
The year 2024 has seen a notable boom, with live music events significantly on the rise. According to online ticketing platform BookMyShow, the country hosted approximately 30,687 live events across 319 cities last year alone, reflecting an 18 percent growth from the previous year. Concerts have generated up to Rs 800 crore, and predictions indicate this could rise by 25 percent by year-end 2025. Tickets for events hosted by artists like Maroon 5 and Diljit Dosanjh have been sold at prices reaching Rs 16,000 and beyond, drawing enthusiastic fans willing to spend on the experience.
Despite these promising statistics, many concertgoers have voiced their dissatisfaction with the overall experience. Reports detail long queues, chaotic crowd management, and inadequate facilities at venues, which have turned highly anticipated events sour. For example, Sheldon Aranjo shared on LinkedIn his distress after attending Bryan Adams’s concert, where he faced extreme difficulty due to only three toilets available for over 1,000 attendees. His lament, “I paid to pee (in my pants) at the Bryan Adams concert,” went viral, reflecting the struggles faced by numerous others.
Akassh Ashok Gupta, another concertgoer at the Bryan Adams event, discussed the absurdity of the situation. He tweeted about the lack of organization—families were unable to access food and drinks amid chaos due to problematic systems meant for transactions, leaving patrons stressed and frustrated.
Even renowned singers aren't stepping back from voicing their displeasure, including Diljit Dosanjh himself. During his concert on December 14, he expressed intentions not to perform again until improvements in concert infrastructure were realized. Following backlash, he later backtracked but reiterated the serious need for reforms.
Concert organizers, meanwhile, acknowledge these logistical challenges. They argue for the necessity of dedicated venues, as many events occur on makeshift grounds or cultural centers lacking proper facilities. Deepak Choudhary from EVA Live highlighted the trouble obtaining permissions to use existing stadiums, since many cannot afford to disrupt cricket pitches. He noted, “Permissions for booking stadiums for concerts is an issue... some cities just don’t offer their stadiums for events.”
VG Jairam from Hyperlink Brand Solutions mentioned the sporadic nature of available venues—many are under-equipped, lacking technical capabilities, which thereby limits the potential for larger concerts. "Sponsorships and ticket pricing do not generate enough revenue to justify large-scale investments," he stated, elaborately discussing the difficulties faced by artists trying to reach fan bases across various regions.
Concerns also stretch beyond cleanliness and logistics to include safety. Recent events have reported altercations among attendees, with issues like stolen phones and wallets being commonplace. Jashoda Madhavji of Dream N Hustle Media reiterated the need for improved security measures, asking for more collaborative efforts between event organizers and state authorities to manage serious disruptions effectively.
Nonetheless, some industry insiders maintain optimism. They believe improvements are on the way with increased investments in modern venues and technology, paving the path for world-class concert experiences. Mohit Bijlani from the event company Team Innovation remarked, “Significant progress is being made. Investments in modern venues, improved logistics, and enhanced crowd management systems are paving the way for seamless live music experiences.”
Aman Kumar, involved with AP Dhillon’s tour, pointed to the growth and recognition of India's potential as a concert destination, boasting of improvements already being made. Similarly, DJ producer Sartek assessed the concert scene’s evolution, emphasizing India’s readiness to host international talent.
Security and management expert Nitin Arora mentioned the need for upgraded facilities to match the needs of premium ticket holders and highlighted the stark contrasts with venues abroad, which could serve as benchmarks for India’s improvements. “Toilets, traffic management, parking facilities… All these need urgent attention,” he insisted.
Some artists have begun calling for government support to stabilize this booming sector by investing money and resources to develop capable venues. “Investment is key to position India as a prime destination for international artists,” expressed Varun Rajput, emphasizing the need for efficient bureaucratic processes and proper facilities as the music scene continues to thrive.
With every concert, though marred by some logistical nightmares, India moves closer to realizing its full potential as a concert destination. The exciting rise of music concerts here suggests numerous opportunities lie on the horizon—if only the infrastructure can keep up with the pace of demand.
