34,000 Shows Power India’s Concert Economy Boom in 2025

• Over 5.6 lakh Indians traveled across cities for concerts in 2025, bolstering local businesses.
• India’s live events sector grew in 2025, with 34,000 shows attracting more solo attendees and fueling higher demand for premium experiences.
• Non-metro cities saw higher participation, as many states push to expand India’s music tourism.

India's live entertainment landscape shifted dramatically, with music tourism emerging as a defining trend this year. As per BookMyShow's Throwback 2025 report, more than 5.6 lakh people traveled across cities to attend concerts. 

Such travels in turn benefit the local businesses, boosting everything from hotels and flights to cabs and restaurants. As a result, concerts are identified to be significant microeconomic drivers in a number of cities.

According to the report, the popularity of premium concert experiences has nearly doubled, with fans choosing VIP pits, upper decks, and customized hospitality zones. The shift signaled a growing, experience-driven market. 

Live events also saw significant growth, with around 34,000 shows conducted countrywide. The report added that overall consumption has also increased by 17% as well, when compared to the previous year.

Concert Economy Fuels Local Economies and Global Touring

High-profile global tours highlighted India's growing presence on the wider concert scene. As per an EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow Live report, Coldplay's Music of the Spheres Tour in Ahmedabad generated an amount that is estimated to be ₹641 crore, showcasing the economic impact of the concert economy.

The report estimated over 220,000 people attending the Coldplay tour, with the majority coming from outside the city. This increase in attendance significantly improved the concerts' overall economic ripple effect. 

Of the entire economic impact of ₹641 crore, around ₹392 crore went directly into Ahmedabad's local economy through on-ground expenditure on amenities like hotels, food, transportation, shopping, and other services. The report also projected that the event earned approximately ₹72 crore in GST income for the government.

Live Events Grow Across India Amid Broader Music Tourism Industry

The metro cities weren't the only places where live entertainment grew. Cities like Visakhapatnam, Vadodara, Indore, Shillong, and Rajkot showed significant increases in live event participation, indicating a genuine pan-India desire for better music and cultural experiences. 

Solo attendance also increased significantly, with over 1.8 million fans attending events alone. The development reflects a growing confidence in independent entertainment engagement.

State governments played an important part in this momentum as well. BookMyShow has inked memoranda of understanding with the tourism boards of Assam, Telangana, Gujarat, and Delhi. The agreements seek to attract more regional and global acts while also improving live event infrastructure. They will also concentrate on creating skilled jobs in the area and establish it as a revenue generator rather than identifying it as a mere cultural feat.

By taking everything together, the facts and numbers indicate an industry entering a new era of stability and ambition. What was once a small, metro city-focused segment has evolved into a national market with significant economic weight and long-term promise.

With fans spending more, performers visiting more frequently, and states beginning to invest strategically, India's live entertainment sector (including concerts) is not only growing but also maturing into a structured cultural economy with a distinct trajectory and identity.