Can going to a music concert cost the same amount as taking a holiday? The answer could well be a yes, going by the mind-boggling sums of money music lovers have been shelling out for buying tickets for the much-awaited live concerts by Coldplay, Diljeet Dosanjh, Bryan Adams and Dua Lipa.
World over, ticket prices for live concerts have been increasing like there is no tomorrow. In fact, rough estimates suggest that prices have shot up by about 20 to 25% since the pandemic. After all, singers and organisers need to make their money too.
But how much is too much — is a question that is best left to people, who are clearly divided in their opinions, when it comes to music concerts. So, is it worth it or will you take a holiday instead?
“As a musician, as a performing artist, I feel it’s wonderful that there is an audience for everyone, an audience who’s willing to pay that kind of money for an experience, which will just stay in their hearts. If an audience is willing to pay that kind of money and willing to enjoy that experience, why should the music not make the best of it?” wonders playback singer Shaan.
He says earlier, music concerts were more about the live performance, and the music. “Now, it’s more about the Immersive audio-visual experience, and to deliver that, the Production Cost has increased significantly leading to a hike in ticket prices,” he reasons.
Shaan says a lot of people are just rushing in there. “It’s like a FOMO effect because friends are going, everyone’s going. So, you want to go there, be a part of that experience. We’re kind of giving in to that syndrome,” feels Shaan.
He says dynamic pricing makes a lot of sense. “People are paying for it and that’s why it’s happening. And, it’s a good thing,” says the singer, adding that spending the same amount on a holiday, cannot give the same experience.
Also, there is another big factor, reminds Shaan. “It is the bragging rights one gets on social media when you put up your videos from the concert,” he smiles.
The figures say it all
Over 1.3 crore people logged on to Book-MyShow’s website to secure one of the 1.5 lakh available tickets for the Coldplay concert to be held in Mumbai in January 2025. Within minutes, the tickets disappeared and the website even crashed.
Later, resale platforms began listing tickets in the range of `3.36 lakh to `10 lakh. Even standing tickets, originally priced at `6,450, were being resold for up to `50,000. People from across the length and breadth of India are in a mad rush to buy them.
Similarly, for Albanian singer and songwriter Dua Lipa’s concert to be held in Mumbai on November 30, tickets range anywhere from `13,000 to over `10 Lakh.
Money Matters
Even artists like Coldplay, Taylor Swift, Harry Styles and Olivia Rodrigo have embraced dynamic pricing, in a bid to earn more. For example, the Queen of Pop Madonna charged £1,306.75 for VIP passes for her celebration tour while Beyoncé offered fans to sit on stage for her Renaissance concert for a price of £2,400.
Anything is worth what people are willing to pay for it, feels singer and actor Anuj Gurwara. “It reveals both the value and vulnerability of human nature. In a world driven by perception and desire heavily amplified by social media, value is often the belief we attach to an object or experience,” says Anuj, wondering how many people are going to the concert just for music.
He feels there are those people who want to be seen at these events for social media. “This drives up the demand unrealistically. It’s not the artists’ or the audience’s or anyone’s fault. It’s just the way of the world we live in. I wish we were this angry about inflation and the rising cost of living,” says Anuj.
When compared to Coldplay and Diljeet Dosanjh, Canadian singer and songwriter Bryan Adams tickets (Gold Class) are selling for `3,700 per ticket. The demand, however, is surging.
Ticket To Ride
Diljeet Dosanjh’s Dil-Luminati Tour became the highest-grossing concert tour ever in India with the sale of 2.5 lakh tickets. It will begin on October 26 with Diljit's performance in New Delhi, followed by performances across Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Pune, Kolkata and other cities. It will conclude with a show in Guwahati on December 29.
COSTLY GIGS
• 20% to 25% rise in ticket prices of Live Concerts since the pandemic
• 1.5 lakh ‘Available’ tickets for Coldplay’s Mumbai Concert, Jan 2025 vanished in minutes
• Standing Tickets priced at Rs 6,450 are being resold for up to Rs 50,000
• Resale platforms started selling tickets from Rs 3.36 lakh to Rs 10 Lakh
• Dua Lipa’s Mumbai Concert (Nov 30) ticket prices are Rs 13,000 to Rs 10 Lakh
• Madonna’s Celebration Tour VIP passes cost £1,306.75
• Beyoncé offered fans to sit on stage for her Renaissance concert for £2,400
• Bryan Adams tickets (Gold Class) are selling for Rs 3,700 per ticket
