In January 2025, Coldplay’s two-night performance at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad proved to be more than just a musical spectacle — it emerged as a major economic phenomenon. The event, held as part of Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres world tour, marked one of the largest live music events in Indian history, attracting over 222,000 attendees and leaving a massive ₹641 crore economic footprint.

This transformative impact was detailed in a report titled “India’s Rising Concert Economy”, jointly released by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow Live. The report analyzes the financial, employment, infrastructural, and tourism implications of Coldplay’s concert and proposes a future roadmap for large-scale live events in India, especially in non-metro cities.

A Concert That Moved the Economy

According to the report, the ₹641 crore total impact comprises:

• ₹392 crore in direct spending within Ahmedabad across hotels, transportation, food, and retail.

• ₹72 crore collected as GST revenue by government authorities.

• The remainder stemming from indirect and induced economic effects such as increased employment, logistics support, and ancillary services.

This multifaceted contribution highlights how live events are no longer just entertainment—they’re economic engines.

Employment Boost: Over 15,000 Jobs Created

The concert generated over 15,000 jobs, spanning roles in security, logistics, food & beverage, housekeeping, event operations, and volunteering. Notably, 9,000 of these jobs were filled by locals from Ahmedabad, giving the city a significant short-term employment boost.

The influx of temporary and contract-based job opportunities highlights the job-generating potential of the concert economy, especially for cities outside traditional metros like Mumbai and Delhi.

Tourism and Hospitality Surge in Ahmedabad

The concert resulted in record-breaking traffic at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which handled over 138,000 passengers over three days. The tourism impact extended far beyond the venue:

• Hotel room rates surged by over 400% due to overwhelming demand.

• Travel platforms like Cleartrip and Agoda reported a 1,000% spike in bookings.

• Train routes from Delhi and Mumbai were sold out well in advance, prompting extended public transport services.

• Ride-hailing fares skyrocketed as demand overwhelmed supply.

Such statistics illustrate how large-scale events can catalyse growth across aviation, hospitality, and intercity transport sectors.

Retail and Consumer Spending Boom

The economic ripple wasn’t limited to travel and hospitality. The concert stimulated consumption across fashion, lifestyle, and food sectors.

• 68% of attendees made concert-related purchases, including themed merchandise.

• Fashion e-commerce platforms like Myntra and AJIO reported 3X spikes in sales.

• Local food and beverage vendors recorded 40% more footfall and 30% growth in revenues.

Attendee expenditure breakdown:

• ₹12,400 on accommodation

• ₹10,800 on interstate travel

• ₹2,000 on food & beverages outside the venue

This underscores how event-goers are not just passive spectators — they are active consumers fueling the economy.

How Coldplay’s Concert Set a New Benchmark

This event has become a blueprint for mega-concerts in India, particularly in non-metro urban hubs. Until recently, Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru dominated India’s live entertainment scene. But Coldplay’s Ahmedabad gig has demonstrated the capacity and readiness of cities like Ahmedabad to host world-class events.

The Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium, proved to be a fitting venue for the event’s massive scale. With advanced infrastructure, crowd control, and security systems, it effectively managed the enormous crowd while ensuring a smooth experience.

PM Modi’s Endorsement and the Path Ahead

Recognising the concert’s scale and success, Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly acknowledged the event in an address. He urged policymakers and investors to channel resources into cultural infrastructure to support the aspirations of India’s youth-driven entertainment market.

His remarks underline a growing awareness among policymakers about the economic and cultural potential of live events and hint at possible policy frameworks to enable more such ventures.

India’s Concert Economy Is on the Rise

According to the EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow Live report, India’s organised live event market crossed ₹12,000 crore in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 19% over the next three years.

The Coldplay concert is being hailed as a landmark event that validated the viability and profitability of large-scale, international concerts in India. It has set new benchmarks in audience engagement, infrastructure planning, local employment, and economic contribution.

This evolution signals a new era for India’s entertainment industry, where music events, festivals, and live performances are no longer niche segments but mainstream revenue-generating ecosystems.

Final Thoughts: Music as a Catalyst for Development

The Coldplay concert didn’t just give fans a memorable experience — it galvanised an entire economy, uplifted local employment, strengthened hospitality and retail, and set an example of how cultural capital can translate into financial capital.

It is now being seen not only as a musical high point but also as a turning point in India’s entertainment and cultural policy discourse.

With strategic planning, better infrastructure, and sustained investment, India is poised to become a global hub for live entertainment — and events like Coldplay's are paving the way.

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