Bhubaneswar, January 28, 2025 – After showering praises for Diljit Dosanjh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has now showered praises for the overwhelming success of Coldplay’s recent concerts in India, calling attention to the country’s vast potential for live music events.
The British rock band’s sold-out performances in Mumbai and Ahmedabad have showcased India as a prime destination for international artists, Modi noted during his speech at the Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025 in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday.
Modi specifically highlighted the “fabulous pictures” of Coldplay’s concerts, which he said demonstrate India’s increasing appeal to global music acts. “The trend of live shows and concerts has been growing in India over the last decade,” the Prime Minister remarked. “India has a rich legacy of music, dance, and storytelling, and it is a massive consumer of concerts. There is enormous potential in the ‘concert economy’ sector, and it is expanding rapidly.”
A Global Stage for India’s Concert Economy
PM Modi’s comments came after Coldplay wrapped up its five-show run across Mumbai and Ahmedabad as part of the Music of The Spheres World Tour. The band’s performances were met with rave reviews for their excellent organization and enthusiastic crowds, with each show selling out within hours of being announced. The band made a remarkable impression on Indian fans, especially with frontman Chris Martin’s fluent interactions in Hindi, Marathi, and Gujarati. His shoutouts to Bollywood actor Shah Rukh Khan and cricketer Jasprit Bumrah further fueled the excitement.
The concerts were a mix of infectious energy and heartfelt moments, with Martin and the band tapping into patriotic sentiment during India’s Republic Day celebrations by performing renditions of “Vande Mataram” and “Maa Tujhe Salaam” on January 25.
In addition to the stellar performances, Bollywood stars such as Kartik Aaryan, Suhana Khan, and Vijay Varma, alongside sporting legends like Sachin Tendulkar, graced the concerts, further cementing the cultural significance of the event.
A Thriving Industry: Opportunities in Concert Events
India’s live concert sector is expanding as more global artists take notice of the country’s massive audience and growing infrastructure. As PM Modi pointed out, the government is looking to enhance both infrastructure and skill development in this space, offering promising opportunities for the private sector and state governments to foster growth in the concert economy. With Coldplay’s successful concerts serving as a prime example, India’s music scene is poised for significant investment and development in the coming years.
This growth in the live concert industry not only provides a boost to the economy but also enhances India’s global cultural footprint. From international artists to Indian music festivals, the country’s entertainment sector is set to play a larger role on the world stage.
Coldplay’s India Legacy
Chris Martin Band’s India tour is notable as the band last performed in the country during the 2016 Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai. The recent success in Ahmedabad and Mumbai is a testament to India’s growing reputation as a hub for world-class live entertainment. The British band’s diverse, multi-genre appeal has found a warm home in India, and its performances have further fueled the momentum of the live music economy in the country.
As the British rock band continues its global tour, their experience in India serves as a benchmark for future international performances in the subcontinent.