The Evolution of Live Music in India: Growing Global Acts but Struggling Venues

Rap sensation Travis Scott is set to take the stage in Delhi this coming weekend, thrilling hip-hop enthusiasts across the capital. While rap may not be my preference, I'm personally looking forward to the concert by Jon Batiste, the Oscar and seven-time Grammy winner, scheduled a month later. With recent performances by Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, Guns N' Roses, Maroon 5, and Deep Purple, India seems to be emerging as the new global music destination that Dubai was two decades ago. And music lovers aren't complaining at all.

The upcoming concert calendar is impressive: Enrique Iglesias will perform his hit 'Bailamos', Post Malone will deliver his double-diamond certified 'Sunflower', John Mayer will present his touching 'Daughters', and Linkin Park will energize crowds with 'Numb'. Additionally, fans can look forward to live performances by Akon, Passenger, Calvin Harris, Playboi Carti, and The Lumineers.

I've always appreciated international live music. However, such exposure was rare during my younger years. 1981 stands out as an exception. At twenty, I attended an Osibisa concert at Brigade Parade Ground in Calcutta. The band was known for hits like 'Sunshine Day' and 'Dance The Body Music'. In those days, we consumed music via LPs and cassettes, making live performances truly special. Tickets cost what seemed an extravagant Rs 200, and there were no online bookings or QR codes—just youthful excitement for music from distant lands. For many of us, this was our first experience of an international group performing in our city. That memory continues to play in my mind like a vintage gramophone record—scratchy but soulful. My brothers, Andy and Barry, and friends even painted our faces to embrace the Caribbean atmosphere—something perhaps not culturally appropriate in 2025, but reflecting our youthful enthusiasm.

Over the years, I've been fortunate to witness performances by many favorite artists, primarily in New York. I've enjoyed Neil Diamond's 'Sweet Caroline', Billy Joel's 'Piano Man', and performances by legends like Elton John, Don McLean, Gordon Lightfoot, and Tony Orlando. I've seen country icons Garth Brooks and Kris Kristofferson, Motown queen Diana Ross, and popular artists including Tom Jones, Barry Manilow, Ricky Martin, Usher, Ed Sheeran, and James Blunt.

I've also seen beloved groups like The Eagles, America (featuring Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley), Air Supply, Foreigner, and Coldplay perform live.

My bucket list still includes George Strait, the country music legend now in his seventies. Until recently, he held the record for the largest ticketed concert in US history, drawing 110,000 attendees in Texas. Experiencing his performance would truly be a highlight in my journey as a music enthusiast.

Despite India's growing relevance in the global music circuit, significant challenges remain. The country lacks world-class music-focused venues. There's a notable shortage of purpose-built infrastructure, with stadiums being repurposed and grounds retrofitted beyond capacity for concerts. While facilities worldwide are being renovated to accommodate both sporting events and live entertainment, India has yet to develop multipurpose venues nationwide. The country that constructed impressive cricket stadiums surely needs equivalent music venues—not just for international performers but also for Indian stars like AR Rahman, Arijit Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, and Diljit Dosanjh, among others.

A senior executive from one of India's leading event management companies highlighted the problematic 'free passes' culture. Historically influenced by cricket, where television rights covered costs, this practice undermines the live event industry that depends on ticket revenue. Everyone from bureaucrats to politicians, law enforcement officials to distant relatives, expects complimentary entry. Until the terminology shifts from 'passes' to 'tickets,' the industry will struggle to flourish. Concerts represent months of planning, investment, and risk-taking. The 'pass' culture devalues both artists and organizers while distorting event economics.

BookMyShow, the dominant event manager in this sector, faced controversy last year over alleged black-market sales of Coldplay concert tickets. While ticket reselling is legal in many countries, it remains complicated. Ultimately, fans should have the final say in these matters.

Despite these limitations, India has tremendous potential in the global music landscape. Next month, as Jon Batiste fills the Delhi stadium with jazz and blues, a sixty-something man will reminisce about his first concert experience in 1981. Let the music continue playing.

(Research credit: Ayashman Dey)

(Derek O'Brien, MP, leads the Trinamool Congress in the Rajya Sabha)

Disclaimer: These are the personal opinions of the author