Why global stars like Coldplay and Ed Sheeran are hitting India

Fans from over 500 cities in India are eagerly preparing to attend Coldplay's upcoming concerts in Ahmedabad. Chris Martin, the charismatic lead singer of Coldplay, is known for his electrifying performances, often seen with his hands raised high while he passionately sings into a microphone. This scene is a familiar one for music lovers around the globe, who frequently express their desire for their favorite artists to perform in their hometowns. Unfortunately, for many fans in India, this wish has often gone unfulfilled, as numerous world-renowned musicians, including Sabrina Carpenter, Gracie Abrams, and Arctic Monkeys, have chosen to skip the country altogether. However, a shift seems to be occurring in the music landscape, as evidenced by Dua Lipa's recent viral performance in Mumbai and Coldplay's imminent tour, marking their first visit to India in nine years. The band is set to perform two shows in Ahmedabad, with expectations of over 100,000 attendees each night. Anoushka Maskey, a passionate music fan and aspiring artist, shared her excitement with BBC Newsbeat, stating, 'To have that experience in our own country, it's really cool to see that it's happening more and more. ' The demand for live music in India is on the rise, with ticketing platform BookMyShow reporting an impressive 18% growth in ticket sales for 2024. Ed Sheeran is also gearing up for his largest tour in India, while other popular artists like Shawn Mendes and Louis Tomlinson are scheduled to perform at the Lollapalooza festival in March. Dr. Sourindra Banerjee, a marketing professor at Leeds University Business School, highlighted that India's massive population of 1. 4 billion people, particularly its youthful demographic, is a significant draw for international artists. He remarked, 'You have a large portion of the world, of youth, living in India. So if I were in the music business, that would be the place I would target, to reap the benefits of the demographic. ' According to global market research company Statista, the Indian music market was valued at 19 billion rupees in 2021, and it is projected to grow to 37 billion rupees by 2026. Ed Sheeran has even shared the stage with Indian stars like Diljit Dosanjh and Arijit Singh, showcasing the growing connection between Western and Indian music. Dr. Banerjee believes that the success of Western artists in India has opened the eyes of major music labels to the potential of this vast market. He explained that these labels have research teams that recognize the opportunity for artists to tap into a large audience. Furthermore, he emphasized that India's significance extends beyond its local market, as it provides access to a substantial Indian diaspora living abroad. For local Indian artists, the arrival of global stars brings a wave of hope and new opportunities. Anoushka, who has been creating music since 2020, expressed her belief that collaborations with Western artists can help local acts gain greater visibility. She recounted her experience of opening for Brit Award winner Ben Howard, stating, 'That's an opportunity that I never thought I would have within the country. ' Independent singer-songwriter Anumita Nadesan echoed this sentiment, noting that the chance to work with bigger artists can significantly elevate a smaller artist's profile. She remarked, 'It's very inspiring as well, because before when a mega artist came to India, we had to travel to another country to see their concerts. ' Anumita emphasized the importance of learning from these concerts, as they provide valuable insights for aspiring musicians. Frizzell D'Souza, a pop artist from Bangalore, shared her perspective on the impact of international acts on Indian audiences. She believes that witnessing artists who started from humble beginnings can send a powerful message about the potential for homegrown talent to achieve global recognition. Frizzell described Ed Sheeran as her 'songwriting hero,' highlighting his relatable journey from busking to becoming a superstar. She stated, 'It's very reassuring to know that someone like him can actually do it. ' Additionally, Frizzell sees the potential for cultural exchange, where Western music figures can be exposed to Indian sounds. She pointed to rapper Hanumankind, who has gained international acclaim with his collaboration with A$AP Rocky, as evidence that the presence of global acts in India can help Indian artists break through on the world stage. However, some artists have raised concerns about the challenges posed by the influx of global stars. Frizzell expressed her worry that audiences might prioritize larger international acts over emerging or lesser-known artists. She stated, 'I hope I'm wrong about this, but maybe they would prefer the bigger international acts and not want to risk it on younger or upcoming acts. ' Anumita added that there is a possibility of bigger artists overshadowing the attention smaller artists receive, but she believes this can also motivate smaller artists to elevate their craft. Peony Hirwani, a music journalist at Rolling Stone India, believes that the risk of being overshadowed is minimal, as event organizers often ensure that local artists are featured as main support acts. She cited G-Eazy's 2024 tour, which exclusively showcased Indian support artists, as a successful example of boosting local talent. Instead, Peony emphasized the need for improvements in infrastructure to attract major stars like Taylor Swift and Beyonce, who have yet to perform in India. Fans have expressed concerns about the facilities available for concerts, as many events are held in sports stadiums that are not always accessible. Peony stated, 'So we need more, bigger venues, and a better system in place for music. ' The Lollapalooza Festival, for instance, takes place at a horse racing track in Mumbai, which is currently the only venue large enough to safely host such events. She concluded by stressing the importance of ongoing discussions about enhancing the infrastructure and venues for music events in India.