x

The latest industry news to your inbox.


I'd like to hear about marketing opportunities

    

I accept IQ Magazine's Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy

Indian cyber police demand stricter touting rules

Indian cyber police have issued a directive to BookMyShow (BMS), urging the ticketing platform to implement stricter rules on touting in the wake of recent controversies.

Police launched an investigation after tickets sold for Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh concerts sold out in minutes via official partners BMS and Zomato Live, only to quickly appear on resale platforms at prices well above face value.

Some tickets sold on the black market also turned out to be fake, prompting an onstage apology by Dosanjh at his Jaipur show last weekend.

“If anyone has fallen victim to a ticketing scam, I apologise to that person,” he said, as per India Today. “We have not done this. Authorities are currently investigating the matter.”

India’s Directorate of Enforcement said it seized “incriminating” material after carrying out a series of raids across five states last month in connection with the matter.

“We look forward to collaborating with the government to provide support and assistance in the reduction and prevention of illegal ticket sales”

The fallout has led Maharashtra Cyber Wing to deem the current ticketing safeguards inadequate and ask BMS to implement measures including names on tickets and verification against government-issued IDs on the day of a show, reports the Hindustan Times.

BMS, which has denied allegations that it colluded with resale sites to scalp tickets for the Coldplay shows, vows to work with the government to “proactively fight” against touting, having already lodged a formal First Information Report (FIR).

“In addition to the FIR filed by BookMyShow on the black marketing and scalping of tickets for recent high-demand live entertainment experiences, we have also provided all requisite information and details to law enforcement agencies in their investigations and will continue to proactively fight against scalping and black marketing of tickets – practices that are condemned and punishable by law in India,” says a spokesperson for the Mumbai-based company.

“We strongly believe that it is critical for all stakeholders to come together and engage proactively in this matter, to find best methods to minimise these ticketing malpractices. We look forward to collaborating with the government to provide support and assistance in the reduction and prevention of illegal ticket sales for such marquee, high-demand live entertainment experiences.

“BookMyShow has always worked towards offering the best experiences to India’s entertainment-loving audiences. With Coldplay’s India tour, Maroon 5’s upcoming India performance, Lollapalooza India and many such acts in the pipeline, we remain committed to bringing the biggest and most marquee global events to Indian consumers who we firmly believe deserve the best.”

 


Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Raids carried out over ‘illegal’ ticket touting

India’s Directorate of Enforcement (ED) says it seized “incriminating” material in a series of raids across five states in connection with the “illegal” touting of Coldplay and Diljit Dosanjh tickets.

Police are investigating after tickets sold for the artists’ upcoming concerts in the country via official ticketing partners BookMyShow (BMS) and Zomato Live sold out in minutes only to quickly appear on resale platforms at exorbitant prices. A number of fans also discovered the tickets they bought on the black market were counterfeit.

ED, New Delhi subsequently launched investigations in Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Chandigarh and Bangalore on Friday (25 October) under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002.

“Following the rapid sellout, numerous reports have emerged of individuals being deceived/cheated through fraudulent ticket sales,” says a spokesperson for the government agency. “Many fans have discovered that they were sold fake tickets or charged exorbitant prices for legitimate ones.”

It carried out search operations at more than 13 locations and seized “several incriminating materials such as mobile phones, laptops and sim cards allegedly used in the scam.

“This action was aimed to investigate the illegal sales of tickets and the financial networks supporting these scams and to trace the proceeds of crime generated”

“This action was aimed to investigate the illegal sales of tickets and the financial networks supporting these scams and to trace the proceeds of crime generated from such illegal activities,” adds the spokesperson. “Searches and investigation conducted by ED has revealed information regarding multiple individuals known for providing such tickets including fake tickets through social media using Instagram, WhatsApp and Telegram.”

Further investigations are ongoing.

Dosanjh, who recently became the highest-selling South Asian artist at The O2 in London, is bringing his Dilluminati Tour to several Indian cities in November and December, while Coldplay’s Music of the Spheres Tour touches down at Mumbai’s DY Patil Sports Stadium on 18, 19 & 21 January next year.

BMS has threatened to void tickets sold on the black market for the Coldplay shows and lodged a formal First Information Report (FIR) with Mumbai police urging authorities to investigate “the unauthorised resale of tickets by individuals and platforms”.

Public interest litigations (PIL) have also been filed across India calling for strict guidelines on the secondary sector in the wake of the controversies, with a wider hearing slated for 18 February 2025. A PIL lodged  by lawyer Amit Vyas at Bombay High Court alleges “several irregularities and illegalities” during the sale of tickets and accuses resellers of violating consumer protection rules.

 


Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.

Singer Diljit Dosanjh sets new record at The O2

Indian singer, actor and film producer Diljit Dosanjh has set a new record as The O2’s highest-selling South Asian artist.

The 40-year-old singer delivered three sold-out shows at the London venue as part of his Dil-Luminati Tour, promoted by Live Nation.

Dosanjh has now sold over 60,000 tickets at The O2 across two tours, reflecting the growing influence of South Asian music in the UK. To mark this record-breaking achievement, he was presented with a special award from the venue.

“Diljit Dosanjh continues to push the envelope on what it means to be a global artist, and this tour is truly history in the making,” says Nidhish Varughese, global tour promoter at Live Nation. “From breaking records at The O2, to captivating audiences around the world, his vision and talent are paving the way for South Asian artists globally. We’re honoured to be part of his journey.”

“Diljit Dosanjh continues to push the envelope on what it means to be a global artist”

Marc Saunders, senior programming manager at The O2, adds: “Diljit performed his first headline show at The O2 back in August 2022 and just two years later, we’re now witnessing him sell out three nights, cementing his status as one of the most prolific artists in the world. The Dil-Luminati Tour not only showcases Diljit’s mesmerising charisma and epic stage production, but also stands as a shining example of the deserved success of international and culturally diverse artists.”

The award, which is created with Jesmonite – a sustainable material which can be crushed and reused, features Dosanjh’s tour artwork, along with a piece of The O2’s own tent fabric.

 


Get more stories like this in your inbox by signing up for IQ Index, IQ’s free email digest of essential live music industry news.