A representative from a top entertainment portal pointed to exponential, "hockey stick" growth across the sector. He cited Coldplay's two concerts in Ahmedabad earlier in 2025 as a landmark example

India's live entertainment sector, particularly the concert economy, is experiencing a transformative boom, evolving from niche passion projects into a robust cultural and commercial powerhouse. Industry experts describe this moment as a generational inflection point, with concerts and large-format events driving youth culture, brand engagement, and experiential marketing while positioning India as an emerging global hub for live entertainment.

The growth extends far beyond metropolitan cities, with significant expansion in tier-2 and tier-3 markets. A representative from a firm which focuses on producing events featuring Indian artists for college and youth audiences, highlighted that around 80% of their business now occurs in smaller cities. Since starting in 2019, the company has shifted from a 70-30 split favoring metros to prioritizing ticketed shows in places like Kanpur, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Vadodara, and Visakhapatnam. Recent successes, including a major 8,000-ticket event in a small town like Vangal, underscore how the concert economy is penetrating deeper into India.

A representative from a top entertainment portal pointed to exponential, "hockey stick" growth across the sector. He cited Coldplay's two concerts in Ahmedabad earlier in 2025 as a landmark example: the shows drew over 220,000 attendees from nearly 500 cities across 28 states and five union territories, generating an estimated economic impact ofRs 641 crore for Gujarat (with Rs 392 crore directly boosting the local economy through spending on hospitality, transport, dining and retail) and contributing Rs 72 crore in GST revenue. 

BookMyShow reported hosting 35,000 events nationwide in recent periods, with overall live entertainment consumption rising 17% year-on-year, reflecting a secular trend across genres, cities, and allied sectors like stand-up comedy, sports experiences, and exhibitions. Observers as well as performers attributed this surge to rising disposable incomes, shifting attitudes toward leisure beyond traditional outings like movies or religious tourism and greater global exposure via platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, and Instagram. 

With nearly a billion mobile data connections and the world's largest English-speaking population, Indians now enjoy secularized tastes and easier access to international artists. A section of entertainment media emphasized the blurring of silos: gamers attend comedy shows, music fans watch e-sports, and multi-genre festivals offer something for everyone, ensuring broader appeal and longevity. 

However, the discussion also highlighted persistent challenges. Infrastructure remains limited, with a shortage of plug-and-play venues and arenas (Mumbai, for instance, lacks a major modern arena beyond repurposed sports stadiums like Narendra Modi Stadium). Regulatory hurdles, including permissions from multiple agencies (reduced from 42 to 15-16 in some cases), continue to complicate planning, especially in smaller cities. 

Events often require booking venues 2 years in advance, and authorities are becoming more cooperative, but more support is needed. Safety and crowd management issues were a key point of debate, referencing incidents like the interrupted Messi event in West Bengal and challenges at other large gatherings. 

Media and entertainment experts stressed the industry's under-recognition until recently, the need for a national playbook on health, safety, and security protocols (drawing from international best practices) and the urgent abolition of "VIP culture" where free passes undermine the economics of ticketing. Education across stakeholders—agencies, brands, and consumers—is essential to respect the sanctity of paid events and ensure sustainable growth.

Looking ahead to the next 4-5 years, optimism prevails despite challenges. Experts foresee tremendous expansion across music genres, comedy, regional and cultural events, and community-led experiences like Comic-Con (expanding to more cities). India is becoming a strategic stop for international artists (previously skipped for Middle East or Southeast Asia routes), with top global talent now prioritizing the country. 

The pipeline for 2026 includes major acts, and there is ambition to export Indian IPs globally. While artists remain central, success will depend on balanced supply, right pricing, collaboration to avoid oversaturation, state participation, and synergy with ministries like tourism and culture. The panel concluded that, with continued entrepreneurial effort and supportive policies, India's concert economy is poised to lead the global experience economy, delivering vibrant, inclusive, and economically powerful moments for millions.