Latest news with #BryanAdams
The Hindu
7 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Why popular international bands are heading to India?
In the years following the COVID-19 lockdown, new records are being set in India's live music space. The demand for live concerts has increased so much that it led Coldplay to perform the biggest show of their storied career in Ahmedabad in late January this year, packing the Narendra Modi Stadium with over 2,22,000 attendees across two days. More recently, the producer and promoter of the shows, BookMyShow Live, brought down Guns N' Roses to play for a reported 35,000 audience at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Racecourse on May 17. Sure, Axl Rose was off-key and no longer at his best, but what has been driving audiences to catch the likes of Guns N' Roses, Maroon 5, Coldplay, Bryan Adams and soon, Enrique Iglesias is the nostalgia factor. The rush for tickets is also driven by social media and the FoMO it can quickly induce in anyone scrolling through their feeds. Never mind that you may not know more than a handful of songs out of the average 90-120 minute setlist. What further adds to the hysteria is the fact one never knows when these artistes will be in the country again. In December last, Canadian rock favourite Bryan Adams took on his most extensive India tour yet, performing in seven cities including Shillong, Goa and Kolkata. He told me in an interview ahead of the tour kickoff, 'I've been banging on to everybody to get back to India for a couple of years now. And so we finally organised it and I really, honestly didn't know what to expect because I haven't been here for a few years and, times change… but my goodness, the tickets have virtually sold out.' The tour – Bryan's sixth visit to the country – was put together by EVA Live and SG Live. A representative for EVA Live confirms that the nine-day, seven-city tour brought in over 1.5 lakh fans. The company's marketing manager Pallavi Maloo says, 'The primary advantage of multi-city tours lies in shared marketing costs and increased sponsor interest. While artistes are generally inclined towards more shows, the financial benefit of a multi-city arrangement typically ranges from 10 per cent to 15 per cent.' Larger bands such as Guns N' Roses may have only performed one show – as did the likes of Deep Purple (although they were originally slated for two) – which points to how touring with a leaner live setup can obviously help reach more cities. Case in point, Ed Sheeran returned to India within a year of his 2024 show, performing in cities such as Chennai, Shillong, Hyderabad, Pune and Bengaluru for the first time between January and February 2025. It was just Sheeran, his guitar and his trusty Loopstation to devise catchy, groovy loops of rhythms and layers to keep the crowd engaged. While BookMyShow clearly has processes in place to be the go-to promoter or organiser for artistes represented globally by companies such as AEG and Live Nation, the likes of EVA Live, District By Zomato and Skillbox are scaling up to keep the competition healthy. Just one rung below are more promoters who see the strong attachment and nostalgia evoked by the likes of Enrique, Backstreet Boys and others. In fact, Backstreet Boys' member Nick Carter was in town for a solo tour for the first time early this year. He said in a media interaction in Bengaluru, 'I've been dying to get over to India for so long. We've come a couple of times with the Backstreet Boys, but I just felt like it was never enough. And so it was the perfect opportunity for me, because I have a little more control over where I go as an individual. It's a little harder with the Backstreet Boys, because it was a bigger show. Mine's a bit smaller, and I can take it to certain places that we necessarily could not go.' EVA Live breaks down how cities are gauged as viable markets for international acts. Tier 1 includes Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata. Tier 2 cities such as Hyderabad, Chennai, Goa, Shillong, and Pune definitely possess what they term 'a viable market.' Tier 3 cities, including Jaipur and Indore, along with other large capital cities, 'have a somewhat smaller market.' Below that, it doesn't get significant, but what promoters do count on while planning international shows, is that tier 3 and 4 city fans will travel to attend shows. Coldplay's shows in Ahmedabad drew visitors from over 500 cities spanning all 28 states and five union territories, according to a report made by EY-Parthenon. Out in Kolkata, Aveek Chatterjee, who runs a local label, Free School Street Records, is an avid fan of classic rock and blues. Catching the likes of Guns N' Roses in Mumbai, Aveek is the kind of fan who invests in travelling abroad to catch his favourite bands, in case they don't come to India. Over the years, this is the shift taking place — that Indians may not need to travel overseas to catch artistes. 'I was absolutely thrilled to watch Deep Purple, Extreme, Sting, Greta Van Fleet and Mr Big live in India,' says Aveek. It means that he has been zipping across Bengaluru, Shillong and Mumbai, among other cities for concerts. Considering himself a 'rock n roll pilgrim,' Aveek has been happy to travel outside his home city, but also notes that more needs to be done to put a city like Kolkata on the map for international artistes. 'The reason is Kolkata lacks the right infrastructure and sponsors, coupled with low ticket sales due to affordability and economic issues. However, it's great to see that things are improving now as at least tier B and C international artistes such as Aristocrats, Steve Vai, Karnivool have played in Kolkata in recent years and Steven Wilson is slated to play this November .' A recent surge of events in Meghalaya also points to the involvement of government authorities, with Bryan Adams and Ed Sheeran's gig getting support from Meghalaya Tourism. EVA Live hails them as 'fantastic.' Since Coldplay's ₹392 crore impact on Ahmedabad was highlighted by Prime Minister Narenda Modi himself, Assam Government has made a move to crack concert economy in December, bringing in hip-hop and pop star Post Malone. It's not so much about nostalgia as it is about artistes mounting much more expansive tours. That way, everyone's a winner. Aveek rightly sums up, 'The live music industry is emerging as a new economy booster and India is poised to have exponential growth in this sector.' Showtime Enrique Iglesias: October (dates to be announced), Mumbai Travis Scott: October 18 and 19, Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi Steven WIlson: November 2 - 9, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Delhi-N Post Malone: December 8, Assam
BBC News
2 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Radio 2 in the Park 'worth £5m to Chelmsford' says councillor
The upcoming BBC Radio 2 in the Park event in Chelmsford could be worth £5m to the local economy, according to a city Leppard and Bryan Adams will headline the event in Hylands Park, which runs from Friday to Sunday, 5-7 September for the three-day event go on sale on Wednesday, 4 June at 08:30 Natacha Dudley, cabinet member for Active Chelmsford, said Hylands Park was "the home of festivals" and the event could bring in millions for the city. BBC Radio 2 in the Park will come to Chelmsford after being held in Preston and Leicester in 2024 and 2023 event kicks off with a DJ party on the Friday night before a weekend of live artists in this year's lineup include Jessie J, Anastacia, Stereophonics and headline acts have included Kylie Minogue, Sir Elton John and Sting."It creates a buzz, a really good atmosphere in the city", Dudley told the BBC."We'll get lots of people coming to the city, there'll be people visiting our restaurants.""It could really bring in up to £5m to the city, so we're very pleased to have Radio 2 here," she added. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
2 days ago
- Entertainment
Jelly Roll, Mariah Carey, Ed Sheeran and more to perform at iHeartRadio Music Festival
The iHeartRadio Music Festival will take place in September in Las Vegas. 3:09 The lineup for the iHeartRadio Music Festival is here. On Tuesday, iHeartMedia announced the star-studded lineup for the upcoming event, which will be held in Las Vegas later this year. Artists who are slated to perform include Bryan Adams, Ed Sheeran, Feid, GloRilla, Jelly Roll, John Fogerty, Justice, Lil Wayne and LL Cool J. Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, Sammy Hagar, Tate McRae, The Offspring and Tim McGraw will also perform. More artists will be announced this summer, according to iHeartMedia. This year, the festival will stream live each night on Hulu for fans who can't make it to the event to watch at home. The upcoming music festival will take place on Friday, Sept. 19, and Saturday, Sept. 20, at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Presale tickets for Capital One cardholders will begin on Wednesday, June 11, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET through Friday, June 13, at 10 a.m. PT/1 p.m. ET. General ticket sales on will begin on Friday, June 13, at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT. Sponsored Content by Taboola
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Bryan Adams and Def Leppard to headline Radio 2 in the Park 2025
Bryan Adams and Def Leppard have been announced as the headline acts of the BBC Radio 2 in the Park music event will take place at Hylands Park in Chelmsford from 5 to 7 will be the first time both headliners have performed in Chelmsford."I'm genuinely looking forward to bringing the show there," said Adams. Saturday line-up The Canadian singer-songwriter, Bryan Adams, has topped charts in more than 40 countries during his glittering hits throughout the 1980s and 90s are iconic, including the anthems Everything I Do (I Do It For you) and Summer Of '69."There's something exciting about playing in a new place, especially somewhere that's filled with a Radio 2 crowd ready to rock. I'm thrilled to be part of this event... brace yourselves, we're gonna roll with the punches!" Belinda Carlisle The American singer-songwriter gained fame as the lead vocalist of the Go-Go's. Her voice can be heard on songs like Our Lips Are Sealed, Heaven Is a Place on Earth, I Get Weak, Circle in the Sand, Leave a Light On, Summer Rain and most recently Big Big Love. Belinda said: "After having such a fantastic time recording the Piano Room for Radio 2, I am super excited to be joining up with them again this year." Ronan Keating When Ronan Keating answered a newspaper advert to audition for Boyzone in 1993, he would have been hard pressed to believe more than 30 years later he would still be hitting the sold more than 45 million albums with Boyzone and as a solo artist, with 30 consecutive Top 10 hits to date. Ronan said he was "thrilled" to be on the set list. Jessie J Brit Award winner Jessie J has sold more than 20 million records and has massive global hits including Price Tag, Domino, and Bang Bang, and newer song Living My Best said: "It's in Essex and I get to sing some old classics and new music? Bring it ON!!" Kid Creole & The Coconuts Kid Creole and the Coconuts scored seven UK Top 40 hits in the 1980s, including three Top 10 singles – Annie, I'm Not Your Daddy, It's a Wonderful Thing Baby and Stool Pigeon. August Darnell - aka The Kid - has also been called the Sultan of Suave, the High Priest of Hip, the King of Pizazz and the Tropical Creole said he was "looking forward" to bringing "three stunning Coconuts and the baddest band in the land" to Hylands Park. Marti Pellow The former Wet Wet Wet frontman and platinum-selling solo artist has a career spanning four decades. Marti has sold millions of albums worldwide and enjoyed multiple UK No 1 singles — including Love is All said: "There's something really special about live music and that shared connection with the audience — especially when it's for Radio 2, who've supported me and my music over so many years." Ella Henderson The British singer-songwriter is known for her hits, such as Ghost and Crazy What Love Can Do, alongside new single Me & You, Ella said she was "truly ecstatic" and said the atmosphere would be "unforgettable". Stereophonics Stereophonics have three decades and a wealth of record-breaking achievements under their April 2025, the band marked their return with Make 'em Laugh, Make 'em Cry, Make 'em Wait - their ninth number one album. Stereophonics are expecting to perform to more than 500,000 fans this summer, headlining shows in stadiums, fields, and said: "We are looking forward to kicking off the weekend in Chelmsford." Sunday line-up The rock and roll band Def Leppard have sold more than 110 million albums worldwide. They have been heralded as the world's greatest live rock band and have produced numerous hit singles like Rock of Ages, Pour Some Sugar on Me and Foolin' and multi-platinum group said they were looking forward to playing with our "good friend Bryan Adams" and what would be a "fantastic weekend". Anastacia Off the back of a sold-out European tour celebrating 25 years, Anastacia is a well celebrated and best-selling female artist. Her multi-platinum I'm Outta Love, One Day In Your Life, Paid My Dues and Left Outside Alone, have sold more than 30 million records in the said: "I'm so looking forward to performing at Radio 2 in the Park in Chelmsford, singing the hits, having a party on stage, sharing nostalgic memories and making new memories all at once. It's going to be a lot of fun!" Soul II Soul Soul II Soul, created by school friends Jazzie B and Daddae, were born from the UK sound system culture of the 1980s, evolving into a 25-piece band. Their hits include Keep On Movin' and Back To Life from their debut album, Club Classics Volume 1, solidified their global fame and earned them two Grammy sold more than 10 million albums B from Soul II Soul said: "It's always a blessing to bring the Soul II Soul vibes to the people." Suede Suede formed in 1992 and quickly gained recognition with their debut album, Suede, which topped the UK Albums Chart and won the Mercury Music Prize. "We have have great memories of headlining in Hylands Park [at V Festival] way back in 1999 , so are really looking forward to returning." Louise With a career spanning more than 30 years and 15 million record sales, Louise returned to the music scene in 2025 with her new album, first found fame in girl band Eternal - which became the first girl group to sell one million copies of an album with their debut, Always and Forever - before going solo in said: "I am so excited to perform at Radio 2 in the Park." David Gray David Gray is a British singer-songwriter best known for his breakthrough album, White Ladder, which featured the hit single Babylon. His most recent album, Dear Life, was released in January 2025, and he is in the midst of his globe-spanning Past & Present said he was "thrilled" to be making Chelmsford his last UK appearance of the year."The only way is Essex!" he quipped. Sophie Ellis-Bextor With a musical career that spans more than 25 years, Sophie Ellis-Bextor has achieved five Top 10 albums and eight Top 10 on the Dancefloor saw renewed global success last year after featuring in the epic final scene of the film said: "Radio 2 has a special place in my heart – from my very own weekly Kitchen Disco show, to performing in the legendary Piano Room with the BBC Concert Orchestra. "It's always a joy, so it's wonderful to be returning to Radio 2 in the Park this year to sing for the lovely Radio 2 audience in Chelmsford. "As everyone knows, I love to dress up and have a good time, so I'll definitely be bringing the sparkles, sequins and disco with me!" Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
CBC
3 days ago
- Business
- CBC
Government accountability watchdog calls for end to free concert tickets for city councillors
A democracy watchdog is questioning the practice of municipal governments receiving free tickets to events hosted at public venues, following a CBC News investigation. Access to free tickets has been under scrutiny after a former federal cabinet minister accepted tickets from a Crown corporation to see Taylor Swift during the Eras Tour. Documents obtained by CBC News through freedom of information requests show municipalities with taxpayer-funded arenas and theatres in British Columbia have received hundreds of complimentary tickets worth thousands of dollars to events hosted at their facilities. Facility-use agreements between the City of Kelowna and Live Nation Canada show seven complimentary tickets were allotted to the city for Tenille Townes, Darcy and Jer and Paul Brandt and Terri Clarke. The events were held at the Kelowna Community Theatre, owned by the city. Forty tickets were routinely given to the City of Prince George for shows at CN Centre — the city's arena — dating back almost twenty years, including for: Elton John, Sarah McLachlan and The Tragically Hip. And the City of Kamloops was granted 40 free tickets from Live Nation Canada to a Bryan Adams concert in 2023, as part of an agreement to use its public arena, Sandman Centre. It received another 40 tickets to Blue Rodeo. CBC has learned the tickets are generally given to mayor and council, city staff, media (including CBC), non-profits and volunteers. Tickets may be gifted to community groups or used as promotional material, but in some instances, they have been given to elected officials. Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, says these contracts aren't usually made public, and cities shouldn't be using them to get free tickets in secret. He said city politicians and staff who accept free tickets are profiting personally from a public facility or could be using them to buy relationships, if they're giving them away. "This is really deeply unethical to be doing this," Conacher said. Kelowna, Prince George and Victoria track who receives the tickets. The City of Kamloops, however, does not. Kamloops also stood out for charging fees, requiring third-party approval and redacting its free tickets from the contracts during the freedom of information request (FOI) process. The redacted documents were released on Oct. 15, 2024, three months after the initial request, and following approval of millions in borrowing to build a new performing arts centre in downtown Kamloops for concerts and other events. CBC later appealed the redactions, leading to the release of the information. CBC's investigation found a noteworthy case of free tickets in Kamloops. City emails show staff offered two tickets to each game, show and event with drinks to the mayor and council for the Memorial Cup, the national championship of the Canadian Hockey League, which came to Kamloops in 2023. The email said tickets were being provided to each of them by the host organizing committee due to "significant support." Kamloops council approved nearly a million dollars in upgrades to Sandman Centre before the event. "Recognizing, approving and fast tracking the improvements Sandman Centre needed to keep our facility up to date was the first step and had those improvements not been done, the Memorial Cup would not be coming to Kamloops …" the email states. "Christmas has come early this year," added the council's executive assistant. Kamloops councillor Bill Sarai accepted the tickets. He said it is common for elected officials in communities that host the Memorial Cup to receive VIP packages to represent their city and welcome tourists. "We upgraded Sandman Centre to be able to host the Memorial Cup," Sarai said. "So, in order for us to do that, yes, we have to spend some money. Is the end goal, 'Oh, we want to spend a million dollars, so I can get a hundred-dollar ticket to go to Memorial Cup?' I think that's far-fetched." City of Kamloops corporate officer Maria Mazzotta said B.C.'s Community Charter prohibits councillors from accepting quid pro quo situations, with some exceptions, and requires councillors to report gifts or benefits that exceed $250. Full-event tickets to the Memorial Cup were about $600 each. Asked if he reported the tickets, Sarai told CBC: "I was not made aware of the value of the package." Conacher said a lack of knowledge doesn't exempt someone from penalties associated with breaching the Community Charter and criticized a "loophole," in which gifts are reported to municipal corporate officers, not the public. He said if an event is important enough for city staff or council to attend, the city should pay for tickets. "Because otherwise this is a secretive system of possibly trading favours and you have to know who is benefiting from city council or city staff, in order to know what favours they may be doing in return for someone," Conacher said. "It's a dangerously unethical practice, and the only real solution is to not have free tickets provided."
