Following Coldplay’s record-breaking concert at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on January 26, with over one lakh attendees, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted India’s potential as a global hub for live concerts. Speaking at the Utkarsh Odisha Conclave in Bhubaneswar, PM Modi emphasized the economic and cultural opportunities presented by India’s concert economy and urged states and the private sector to invest in developing the necessary infrastructure.
A Growing Concert Economy
PM Modi described India as uniquely positioned for a thriving concert economy, citing the nation’s rich musical heritage, large youth population, and growing appetite for live events. “A country which has such a rich heritage in music, dance, and storytelling, and which boasts a massive consumer base for concerts, has vast opportunities in the concert economy,” he said.
India’s concert economy is getting even more vibrant and this is great news for the youth in particular. pic.twitter.com/3XKSgNWJgC
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 28, 2025
Reflecting on the recent Coldplay tour, Modi called it a testament to India’s rising stature as a venue for global artists. “The magnificent images from the Coldplay concerts in Mumbai and Ahmedabad showcase the immense scope of live concerts in India,” he noted.
Tourism and Employment Boost
PM Modi highlighted the multifaceted benefits of a robust concert economy, including its ability to boost tourism, create jobs, and foster skills development. “Concert economy gives a boost to the tourism sector and creates jobs. Event management, artist grooming, security, and other arrangements all have immense potential for growth,” he said.
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He also urged private players and states to focus on enhancing infrastructure, building expertise in event management, and equipping local talent to meet global standards.
India’s increasing appeal to international artists like Coldplay was a key point of Modi’s address. He stated that the country’s vibrant cultural scene and rapidly expanding event infrastructure make it an attractive destination for global performers.
The Coldplay tour, part of their Music of the Spheres series, included three sold-out concerts at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Sports Stadium and two massive shows in Ahmedabad. The grand finale on January 26 marked the band’s biggest concert ever, setting a new benchmark for live events in India.
Upcoming World Audio-Visual Summit
PM Modi teased the upcoming World Audio-Visual Summit, set to be hosted in India next month, as another step toward positioning the country as a global player in the live event industry.
With his call to action for stakeholders to build on this momentum, PM Modi underscored the transformative potential of the concert economy in shaping India’s cultural and economic landscape.
