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With 86% of fans travelling to the host city, Coldplay’s ‘Music Of The Spheres’ concerts in Ahmedabad trigger a new paradigm for cultural tourism and mega-event infrastructure
The Music of the Spheres tour (Photo: X/Coldplay)
EY-Parthenon (EY-P), the leading strategy consulting firm, and BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow—India’s leading entertainment destination—have released a comprehensive report titled ‘India’s Rising Concert Economy: Coldplay’s Ahmedabad Tour Sets the Blueprint for India’s Next Cultural Boomtowns’.
It captures the sweeping economic, cultural, workforce, sustainability, and tourism impact of live entertainment in India, following the country’s largest-ever live entertainment spectacle—Coldplay’s two-night ‘Music Of The Spheres’ concerts in Ahmedabad, produced and promoted by the app.
Together, EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow Live have developed a scalable framework to assess the broader value of live entertainment. The report goes beyond numbers, offering a data-driven, actionable blueprint that reimagines what live entertainment can mean for Indian cities beyond metros. It serves as a tangible model for Indian cities, state governments, and industry stakeholders to integrate culture, infrastructure, and commerce through globally benchmarked live experiences.
In a significant endorsement of India’s growing concert economy, Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, during his address at the Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave 2025, stated, “In a country with such a rich heritage in music, dance and storytelling, with such a large pool of youth and a massive consumer base for concerts, there are vast opportunities for the concert economy. In the past decade, both the trend and demand for live events have grown. You must have seen the incredible images from the Coldplay concerts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad in recent days. This is proof of how much scope live concerts have in India.”
Driving a New Economic Rhythm
Speaking on the report, Raghav Anand, Partner and Leader – Digital, Media and Convergence, EY-Parthenon, said, “As we witness the dynamic growth of India’s live entertainment sector—which has surpassed the ₹12,000 crore mark in 2024 and is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of around 19% over the next three years—consumer spending is fueling this transformative journey. This surge reflects not just rising disposable incomes, but an evolving cultural fabric that craves immersive experiences. The sector’s economic potential is immense, creating a ripple effect across allied industries and fostering opportunities for creators and local professionals alike.”
Anil Makhija, COO – Live Entertainment & Venues, BookMyShow, added, “Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres shows in Ahmedabad marked a watershed moment in India’s entertainment economy. Hosting one of the world’s biggest bands at the world’s largest cricket stadium—with over 111,000 fans each night—meant reimagining what’s possible in India. This report serves as a template for other states to unlock the immense potential of the concert economy and enable the live entertainment industry to become a wealth generator for the country. Together with EY, we’ve articulated how a single concert can ignite a chain reaction for India’s next cultural boomtowns—both economically and culturally. A collaborative approach between industry stakeholders and government authorities will be key to realising this untapped potential.”
One Historic Tour, a Giant Leap for India’s Live Entertainment Future
The concert delivered a significant economic windfall, generating an estimated economic impact of ₹641 crore, including a direct boost of ₹392 crore to Ahmedabad’s economy. Spending surged across accommodation, transport, dining, and retail, while the event contributed ₹72 crore in GST revenue to the Government of India—underlining its powerful fiscal impact.
Coldplay’s concerts catapulted Ahmedabad onto the global entertainment map, drawing visitors from over 500 cities across all 28 states and 5 union territories. When 222,000 music fans descended on Ahmedabad, they brought more than just their love for music—they unleashed an economic ripple still reverberating.
Tourism Transformed: Ahmedabad as a Cultural Destination
Transportation infrastructure was pushed to capacity. BookMyShow Live partnered with Western Railway to introduce special superfast trains between Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The city’s airport handled an extraordinary 138,000 travellers over the three-day window, including a record-breaking 47,000 arrivals on the first concert day. The local metro system shattered all previous passenger records—demonstrating how a single event can stress-test and validate a city’s entire transit ecosystem.
Room rates that typically hover around ₹15,000 even during peak season skyrocketed to ₹50,000–₹90,000 within 48 hours of the concert announcement. This surge demonstrated how strategic entertainment investments generate immediate adjacent returns while showcasing Ahmedabad’s infrastructure resilience and long-term growth potential.
Beyond numbers, the concert reshaped perceptions. Over 80% of attendees shared a positive outlook on the experience, with 39% expressing confidence in the city’s readiness to host large-scale events and 29% eager to see more such concerts. A striking 78% of surveyed attendees now view Ahmedabad as a major concert city, and two-thirds (66%) expressed strong willingness to return.
More than one-third (36%) explored local attractions, and 38% shopped locally, unlocking the city’s heritage and commerce. Nearly 8 in 10 attendees (79%) were under 35, underscoring the event’s appeal to younger, high-spending demographics.
The Economic Multiplier Effect
Insights from BookMyShow’s survey of over 2,800 attendees reveal a staggering economic multiplier: for every ₹100 spent on a concert ticket, attendees spent an additional ₹585 on services like hospitality, travel, local shopping, and dining. Half the attendees stayed more than one night, boosting local hospitality. Notably, 71% of shoppers were under 28, opening up new audiences to local artisans and culture.
The employment impact was equally significant. The event created thousands of temporary jobs, powered by a 15,000-strong workforce including BookMyShow Live, Coldplay’s crew, government bodies, and volunteers. About 9,000 of these were sourced locally from Ahmedabad.
Event Management Excellence and Sustainability Leadership
Accessibility was a priority. From entry to seating and facilities, fans with disabilities were fully accommodated. The concert also set a high bar for sustainability. Of the 36,000+ kilograms of waste generated, 95% was diverted from landfills. Over 100,000 biodegradable rice husk cups replaced single-use plastic, and around 70% of LED bands were returned and reused.
Transforming the Narendra Modi Stadium into a concert venue required strategic planning. Turf protectors preserved the cricket pitch, while state-of-the-art crowd management ensured smooth, safe operations throughout.
Encore: A Blueprint for India’s Cultural Future
The report underscores how India’s live entertainment ecosystem can flourish through strategic Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). These can drive infrastructure development, simplify event approvals, and streamline inter-departmental coordination. Establishing a PPP Facilitation Unit, launching a Single-Window Clearance Portal, and offering tax incentives can encourage large-scale global events in India.
States that prioritize ease of doing business, faster clearances, and supportive governance stand to reap long-term benefits—spanning employment, tourism, and state revenues.
The Coldplay tour is living proof: coordinated, world-class execution is achievable in India. It’s a new benchmark for future international productions and a call to action for stakeholders to treat live entertainment as a serious economic driver.
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