How Ahmedabad's Coldplay tour bounty signals India's prospering concert economy

India Today

05-05-2025

The Coldplay 'Music of the Spheres' concert, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on January 25-26, has delivered a staggering economic windfall for the city. According to a comprehensive report by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow, the event, which drew over 222,000 fans, generated an estimated Rs 641 crore bounty for the local economy.The event catalysed a multi-sector economic surge, with direct contributions of Rs 392 crore to Ahmedabad's economy and Rs 72 crore in Goods and Services Tax (GST). The report details a ripple effect across tourism, hospitality, transportation and retail, positioning the city for more such large-scale concerts.advertisementAhmedabad airport handled 138,000 travellers over three days, including 112 chartered flights. Hotels operated at full capacity, with rates soaring to historic highs, while restaurants and local transport services reported record revenues. The report notes that 86 per cent of attendees travelled from outside Ahmedabad, representing over 500 cities. Social media posts relating to the two concerts in Ahmedabad reached 350 million and the combined media coverage 1.2 billion.'The economic impact estimation is based on actual revenues from ticketing, in-concert food and beverage, merchandise and parking,' said Raghav Anand, partner and leader-digital, media and convergence, EY-Parthenon.
'Additionally, the broader economic contribution, including attendees spending on travel, accommodation, local transport, shopping related to the concert, etc., was estimated through a survey of 2,821 concert attendees conducted by BookMyShow,' he said.The report claims the concert's economic impact extended beyond immediate financial metrics. It created an estimated 15,000 jobs, spanning event management, security, logistics and volunteer roles, demonstrating the labour-intensive nature of such events. Local businesses, from street vendors to high-end retailers, benefited from increased footfall, while the event's operational scale—featuring 130 food and beverage stalls, 54 hydration stations and 68 food trailers—underscored the logistical management.advertisementAnalytically, the event's success reflects broader trends in India's concert economy, which surpassed Rs 12,000 crore in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 19 per cent over the next three years. Rising disposable incomes, rapid digital adoption, and a young, experience-hungry audience are driving demand for world-class entertainment. The report cites the growing interest in international artistes/bands such as Ed Sheeran, Dua Lipa and Green Day as evidence of India's ascent as a destination for live music.American hard-rock band Guns N' Roses will return to India after a 13-year hiatus, for a performance at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai on May 17. Speculation abounds about artistes such as Eminem, Taylor Swift, BTS and Adele performing in India this year, but no confirmed dates or venues are available. A post on microblogging site X speculated about Adele performing at a major event in Mumbai (July 12-14), but this lacks corroboration from reliable sources.While the future looks promising, the EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow report highlights challenges that must be addressed to maintain this momentum. Complex regulatory frameworks and permission delays pose barriers for event organisers. The recommendation for a single-window-clearance portal and public-private partnerships to streamline approvals and finance infrastructure upgrades is critical.advertisementStrategic investments in large-capacity venues and accessibility enhancements, such as improved transport and facilities for persons with disabilities, are equally vital. Ahmedabad's success, facilitated by collaboration with local authorities and infrastructure enhancements such as extended metro services, sets a precedent for other cities.'This was the first live music concert at the Narendra Modi Stadium—a landmark moment for live entertainment in India. Globally, stadia are commonly used as concert venues; yet in India, this practice has been limited. Despite the country boasting of numerous state-of-the-art cricket and football stadia, their potential beyond sporting events has remained underutilised,' says Anil Makhija, COO-live entertainment and venues, BookMyShow.For the Coldplay concert, the challenge of preserving cricket pitches was addressed by deploying specialised pitch and turf protectors, added Makhija.Ahmedabad's breakthrough serves as a compelling case study, inviting other Indian cities to harness the economic potential of the live entertainment boom, the report underscores.Subscribe to India Today Magazine