The much-anticipated ticket sale for British rock band Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres World Tour in Mumbai left a significant portion of the fanbase frustrated. Despite high demand, numerous long-time fans missed the opportunity to secure tickets, which sold out within hours of release on BookMyShow.
Fans had eagerly awaited Coldplay’s return to India, marking their first appearance in the country after a nine-year gap. The excitement, however, was dampened by the ticket prices, which ranged from Rs 2,500 to Rs 35,000. Post-sale, secondary marketplaces saw tickets being resold at exorbitant rates, with prices reaching as high as Rs 3 lakh.
The conversation extended beyond social media where author Chetan Bhagat and BharatPe co-founder Ashneer Grover, weighed in on the situation. Bhagat, known for his bestselling books such as "One Night at the Call Center" and "2 States", questioned the logic behind fans spending such large sums on concert tickets, considering the income disparity in India.
Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Bhagat wrote, "On one hand we get figures of Indian salary percentiles, and on the other, there’s near mania for concert tickets. Who’s paying so much and buying all these tickets? What percentage of your monthly salary are people spending on these tickets? Some YOLO logic here?"
Grover responded to Bhagat’s comments by highlighting the vast economic disparity in the country and the increasing tendency of Indians to invest in luxury experiences. He drew a parallel between concert-goers and the rising number of students opting for expensive international education.
"It’s a large country - and a lot of disparity on either end - why is filling of an 80k stadium surprising anyone? 800k students go overseas every year, spending $50K on average. Also, now that most people who can afford have phones, things will fill up instantly as well," Grover stated.
The discussion on the internet saw contrasting opinions, with some defending the high prices and others criticising the expenditure on entertainment. One user took issue with Grover’s comparison, arguing that spending on education or technology served a longer-term purpose, while attending a concert provided only short-lived gratification.
"Your argument is flawed here! Education and smartphones can be investments when used wisely. Attending a Coldplay concert? That’s just chasing a fleeting dopamine hit. Artificial beats, flashy lights, and no real substance—what are we really getting out of it? It’s all for show. Time to ask: are we investing in personal growth or just showing off for a quick thrill?" the user commented.
Another participant in the online debate supported Bhagat’s view on the financial divide, noting, "There are two worlds – one is flaunting their money and the other is struggling to meet their family expenses, and this disparity in income is increasing rapidly."
Meanwhile, a third user stated, "Attending Coldplay concerts are dream for many including me and I will happily shell out even 20-30k if it's in my city. It all depends on your spending capacity."
"People have the right to spend their money on experiences that bring them joy. Attending a concert is a personal choice, much like any other form of entertainment, whether it’s reading books or watching movies," a fourth added.
The ticket sale, which began exclusively on BookMyShow, saw lakhs of fans waiting in long virtual queues, with many unable to secure passes despite hours of waiting. The concert is scheduled for three shows in Mumbai in January 2024. As tickets vanished quickly, fans turned to resale platforms, where prices were reported to have skyrocketed.
BookMyShow later issued warnings that tickets purchased from unauthorised resale platforms would be invalid for entry.
The frenzy around Coldplay's tour came shortly after the sold-out success of Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh’s Dil-lluminati tour, which also prompted discussions about the growing unaffordability of live performances in India.
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