India’s live music scene is experiencing a significant transformation as international artists increasingly include the country in their tour schedules. This shift is evident with recent and upcoming performances by major artists such as Dua Lipa, Coldplay, and Ed Sheeran, marking a departure from the historical trend of global musicians bypassing India despite their popularity on platforms such as Spotify.
The growing attraction to India as a tour destination is driven by several factors:
- The country’s massive population of 1.4 billion, particularly its large youth demographic, makes it an appealing market for artists.
- The Indian music industry’s value is expected to grow substantially, from 19 billion rupees n 2021 to a projected 37 billion rupees by 2026.
- Additionally, the success of K-pop in India has demonstrated the market’s potential to Western artists, while the country’s increasing wealth and global connections make it an important territory for establishing a presence.
This trend presents both opportunities and challenges for local Indian artists. Many see the influx of international acts as a chance for greater visibility and learning opportunities. Anoushka Maskey, who opened for Ben Howard, and Anumita Nadesan view these events as valuable opportunities for collaboration and professional growth. Frizzell D’Souza, a Bangalore-based artist, finds inspiration in Ed Sheeran’s journey from busking to superstardom, seeing it as proof that local talents can achieve global success.
However, there are concerns about potential drawbacks. Some worry that audiences might prioritize their budgets for international acts over supporting emerging local artists. Despite these concerns, music journalist Peony Hirwani notes that event organizers often ensure local artists are included as main support acts, as demonstrated in G-Eazy‘s 2024 tour.
The main challenge facing India’s growing live music scene is infrastructure. The country lacks world-class concert venues, often relying on cricket stadiums that aren’t always available. This limitation has prevented some of the biggest global acts, such as Taylor Swift and Beyoncé, from bringing their tours to India. Currently, major events such as Lollapalooza Festival must use a horse racing track in Mumbai. Industry experts emphasize the need for more and better-equipped venues to sustain and grow India’s position as a major destination for international tours.
Despite these challenges, the live music industry in India shows promising growth, with ticketing platform BookMyShow reporting an 18% increase in 2024, suggesting a continuing upward trend in the country’s music scene.
Last updated: December 26th, 2025
