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Coldplay’s India concerts generated a staggering Rs 641 crore in business across multiple industries, said EY
The Music of the Spheres tour (Photo: X/Coldplay)
British band Coldplay’s India tour wasn’t just music to fans’ ears—it struck an economic chord that resonated nationwide. American pop icon Taylor Swift may be the global benchmark for blockbuster concert tours, but across the pond, Coldplay is giving her stiff competition—especially in India. Chris Martin and his band brought their Music Of The Spheres tour to Mumbai and Ahmedabad this January, and the numbers are as dazzling as the pyrotechnics on stage.
Viva La Vida: Coldplay’s Tour Delivers a Rs 641 Crore Economic High
According to a report released by Ernst & Young (EY) on April 30, Coldplay’s India concerts generated a staggering Rs 641 crore in business across multiple industries, ranging from hospitality and travel to retail and infrastructure.
The British rockers performed five sold-out shows in India—three at Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium (January 18, 19, and 21), followed by two massive concerts at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium (January 25 and 26). The Ahmedabad shows alone drew over 222,000 attendees, making them the largest in-stadium music concerts ever held in the country.
EY’s analysis revealed that these two shows pumped Rs 392 crore into Ahmedabad’s local economy. This included spending on hotels, restaurants, transport, shopping, and more. The concerts also contributed Rs 72 crore in Goods and Services Tax (GST), reflecting their widespread economic impact.
Travel & Spending: Sky Full of Stars… and Flights
The concerts set travel records as well. Ahmedabad Airport handled 980 flights and welcomed 138,000 travellers during the concert weekend. January 25 alone saw over 47,000 arrivals—the highest single-day footfall on record for the airport.
MakeMyTrip reported a 69% spike in bookings across all travel modes compared to two weeks prior. Cab bookings saw a 400% surge, while flights jumped 55%, with average airfares touching Rs 18,912. Local transport spend per attendee averaged Rs 1,260.
Employment Impact: Magic in the Job Market
Coldplay’s India concerts also created 15,000 jobs, including:
- 9,000 event staff from Ahmedabad alone
- 4,500 police and security personnel
- 400+ student volunteers supporting production, F&B, and merchandising
- 200+ government and GCA officials
Event production involved 700+ daily staff, with 200 working night shifts to prep between back-to-back shows.
Something Just Like This: The Concert Economy Is Booming
According to Raghav Anand, Partner at EY-Parthenon, India hosted 70–80 large-scale concerts in 2024, each attracting 10,000+ people. The organised live events industry crossed Rs 12,000 crore last year and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 19% over the next three years.
BookMyShow Live, which brought Coldplay to India, sees the tour as a milestone moment. “This wasn’t a one-off,” said Naman Pugalia, Chief Business Officer – Live Events. “It’s a natural evolution following U2’s 2019 tour, Lollapalooza India, Ed Sheeran, and more.”
Coldplay’s Crescendo In India
Coldplay didn’t just electrify stages—they amplified India’s standing in global entertainment. Their concerts showcased India’s ability to host world-class productions and reaffirmed the economic power of live music in a post-pandemic world. As Pugalia summed it up, “Coldplay brought India’s live entertainment crescendo into sharper public and economic focus.”