India is on the cusp of a live music revolution with the country’s touring scene tipped to “explode” in the near future by leading executives.

Coming on the heels of high-profile tours by Coldplay and Ed Sheeran, its emergence as a key touring market was further illustrated over the weekend with the third edition of Lollapalooza India.

Held from 8-9 March at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse, the festival featured performances from acts such as Green Day, Shawn Mendes, Glass Animals, Louis Tomlinson and Nothing But Thieves.

Tickets started at 5,999 rupees (€63) for the event, which was produced by India’s leading online entertainment platform BookMyShow, alongside Lollapalooza co-founder Perry Farrell and Live Nation’s C3 Presents.

Speaking at last month’s International Live Music Conference (ILMC) in London, Ashish Hemrajani, founder and CEO of Big Tree Entertainment Private Limited, which operates BookMyShow, outlined the potential of the market – predicting it will balloon “10x in the next five years”.

“I come from a country of 1.4 billion people,” he said. “It is the youngest demographic in the world under the age of 35. There are also 300 million Indians that speak English as the first language. Unlike in China, Spotify, Netflix and YouTube, all exist in India, and therefore kids growing up are exposed to same music universe.”

“India is on the cusp of becoming an essential destination for global musicians”

Hemrajani suggested festival slots can offer a useful precursor to full-scale tours of the country for international acts.

“It’s a great segue to come into a festival where you have 60,000 people and garner interest, so you know where you stand, and then come back for a tour a year or two later,” he said.

Kirk Sommer, global co-head of music at WME, which has brought acts including Coldplay, Dua Lipa and The Strokes to the region, also highlights the opportunity at play.

“Major venue investment is booming, and India will soon have world-class event spaces and financial opportunities to support international artists,” he tells local media. “It may take a few years, but India’s touring scene will soon explode.

“India’s music revolution is just beginning. With improvements in infrastructure and an expanding audience base, India is on the cusp of becoming an essential destination for global musicians, while simultaneously nurturing its own superstars.”

Indeed, Sommer stresses that spotting and developing domestic talent is an important part of WME’s strategy.

“This is a top priority for us,” says Sommer. “Many Indian artists already have global audiences without realising it. We want to help them achieve international success. In the near future, Indian artists will sell out arenas worldwide.”

“It’s a country which is steeped in music but it’s never been professionalised”

On a similar note, Hemrajani explained how festivals are helping to provide a platform for breaking local artists.

“We’ve never had grassroots venues in India, and therefore the music scene never built,” he said. “It’s a country which is steeped in music but it’s never been professionalised.

“Because we don’t have these smaller venues, the only way that we could help certain budding musicians is to put them on at festivals. So at Lollapalooza… you’ll see a Green Day, Shawn Mendes, Glass Animals, Louis Tomlinson but you’ll also see a whole bunch of Indian acts – [playing to] 60,000 people per day, and then they collaborate with some of the global artists.”

The policy extended to Ed Sheeran’s groundbreaking – +–=÷× (Mathematics) Tour, which visited six cities in India – Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai, Bengaluru, Shillong and Delhi – in January/February, organised by BookMyShow Live and AEG Presents Asia.

“With Ed, we did the same,” said Hemrajani. “In every market, there was a new opening act, and it was a young artist who has never played before more than 4,000 or 5,000 people, but now had the chance to play to 30,000 people.”

“Infrastructure continues to be a challenge, and we’re trying to solve that”

As well as major hubs like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore, cities such as Gurgaon, Chandigarh, Jaipur, Kolkata, Shillong, Guwahati, Hyderabad, Chennai, Kochi, Pune and Indore are also projected to become established touring stops.

Hemrajani previously addressed the current shortcomings with India’s venue infrastructure – saying its first fully-fledged arena was in the works for Mumbai.

“Arenas is very loose word in India because we have… mostly festival grounds,” he said. “‘We don’t have arenas in India. And we have a six-month window where we can do outdoor events, because our weather permits us to do events between October to April, or at best May.

“The need of the hour is actually to have indoor venues with real air conditioning and 18-20,000 capacities.

“Infrastructure continues to be a challenge, and we’re trying to solve that as you build more routing around Middle East and Southeast Asia, because the timing works. It’s the same time of the year, from October to March, April, when you can tour in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. I think anchoring around those markets is a good segue to actually building volume into that market.”

Meanwhile, CassMae, a blind singer-songwriter from Germany, recently performed at one of the world’s largest music and meditation festivals. The 22-year-old graced the Mahashivratri celebrations in front of 600,000 people at the Isha Yoga Centre in South India.

The performance also attracted more than 140 million viewers worldwide, spanning approximately 72 countries, via a global livestream.

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Lollapalooza India has unveiled its 2025 lineup, including a host of top international names set to perform in the country for the first time.

Headliners Green Day, Shawn Mendes, Louis Tomlinson and Glass Animals are all scheduled to make their Indian debuts at the event’s third edition, alongside the likes of John Summit, Aurora, Wave to Earth and Big Boi.

Acts such as Zedd, Nothing But Thieves, Cory Wong and Alok have also been confirmed for the 8-9 March festival in Mumbai.

With many categories already sold out, remaining tickets are priced 9,999 rupees (€108), with VIP packages costing up to 47,999 (€519).

More than 60,000 fans gathered over two days at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse back in January for this year’s edition, headlined by Sting, Jonas Brothers, Halsey and OneRepublic, which was produced by Lollapalooza co-founder Perry Farrell, Live Nation’s C3 Presents and Indian ticketing giant BookMyShow.

The inaugural Lolla India took place in 2023, featuring performances from artists including Imagine Dragons, The Strokes, AP Dhillon and Cigarettes After Sex

BookMyShow’s chief of business, live entertainment, Owen Roncon said the festival was projected to break even by its upcoming third year – in line with expectations.

The inaugural Lolla India took place in 2023, featuring performances from local and international artists including Imagine Dragons, The Strokes, AP Dhillon, Cigarettes After Sex, Divine, the F16s, Jackson Wang, Imanbek, Greta Van Fleet, The Wombats and Diplo.

Meanwhile, in the US, Zach Bryan, Jelly Roll and Luke Combs will top the bill at Goldenvoice’s country music extravaganza Stagecoach in 2025. The festival will run from 25-27 April next year at Indio’s Empire Polo Club – the home of Coachella – in California. Passes go on sale this Friday (13 September), priced $579 (€526).

Also confirmed are the likes of Lana Del Rey, Brothers Osborne, Sturgill Simpson, Nelly, Midland, Sammy Hagar, Goo Goo Dolls and Ashley McBryde.

And in Europe, Finland’s Provinssi has also showed its hand early, announcing Electric Callboy, Flogging Molly, Haloo Helsinki! and Lorna Shore for its 2025 festival, which will be held in Seinäjoki, Törnävänsaari, from 26-28 June. Regular one-day tickets are available for €139, while three-day super early bird tickets cost €199 (or €299 VIP).

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The organisers of Lollapalooza India say the festival is on course to break even next year as it celebrates a successful second edition.

More than 60,000 fans over two days gathered at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Racecourse from 27-28 January to see headliners Sting, Jonas Brothers, Halsey and OneRepublic.

Held across four stages, the lineup also included acts such as Keane, Lauv, Jungle, Royal Blood, JPEGMAFIA, Meduza, Malaa, Caribou, The Rose and Eric Nam.

The festival was produced by co-founder Perry Farrell, Live Nation’s C3 Presents and Indian ticketing giant BookMyShow, which has expanded into staging live events.

Speaking to Mint, BookMyShow’s chief of business, live entertainment, Owen Roncon says the event is projected to become financially stable by year three – in line with expectations. Tickets started at 5,999 Indian rupee (€66.50).

“Lolla will break even by next year for sure. We are in the ballpark and it’s going per the plan with no massive deviation”

“Lolla will break even by next year for sure,” says Roncon. “We are in the ballpark and it’s going per the plan with no massive deviation.

“The kind of brand pickup that we’ve seen in Lolla is unprecedented. I don’t think there’s any other IP that has picked up this kind of inventory from the market. And it’s only increasing. I think by next year, we’ll be able to do far more for brands, and our plans are bigger and better for the brands themselves. So therefore I think that that those scales are gonna get better.”

Last year’s inaugural Lolla India featured performances from local and international artists including Imagine Dragons, The Strokes, AP Dhillon, Cigarettes After Sex, Divine, the F16s, Jackson Wang, Imanbek, Greta Van Fleet, The Wombats and Diplo. Its debut in Asia meant the brand has now grown to eight countries on four continents, including editions in the US, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France and Sweden.

Mumbai-based BookMyShow also launched rock festival Badland in Bengaluru last month, headlined by Deep Purple and Goo Goo Dolls, and is planning a hip-hop festival in Delhi. Roncon reveals the firm is focusing its attention on Mumbai, Bengaluru and New Delhi for large-scale events, and is exploring venue development in various cities as it seeks to improve the country’s live entertainment infrastructure.

“Those can be shared with others too and everyone’s production cost can come down, it brings down the ticket prices and gives talent a platform,” he explains. “We’re looking at that very, very aggressively and I think in the next year or two, you should see a few results.”

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The debut edition of Lollapalooza India drew 60,000 fans over two days, with 40 artists performing across four stages on a 50-acre site.

Held at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse Lawns in Mumbai between 28–29 January, the event saw performances from local and international artists including Imagine Dragons, The Strokes, AP Dhillon, Cigarettes After Sex, Divine, the F16s, Jackson Wang, Imanbek, Greta Van Fleet, The Wombats, and Diplo – many of whom performed in India for the first time.

#MAGICMAN in Lollapalooza India 2023

Always wanted to visit. Finally..
Amazing experience with all of u since the airport to seeing u all to the show to new friends to the experience of the culture.
Such an honor.
I hope I get to come back more often.#LollaIndia#jacksonwang pic.twitter.com/Zf1TYAoOSU

— Jackson Wang (@JacksonWang852) January 31, 2023

The organisers arranged for a range of facilities such as sign language interpreters, disability services and support organisations, plus on-site response teams providing assistance for psychological safety and inclusivity for the LGBT+ community. There was also a distress helpline, free unlimited drinking water supply, and buses dedicated to the festival connecting all of Mumbai.

At the #LollapaloozaIndia concert in Mumbai – I saw something truly special: On the corner of the stage stood a sign language expert, interpreting lyrics for deaf & hard of hearing audience. Heartwarming to see the #inclusivity; small powerful gesture. Full marks to @bookmyshow pic.twitter.com/3W1CPnKwNu

— Rishi Darda (@rishidarda) January 29, 2023

The festival also unveiled a campaign titled #LollaForChange, which aims for minimal waste, managing food wastage, and increased sustainable measures.

Lollapalooza India was produced by founder Perry Farrell, WME, C3 Presents and India’s BookMyShow, and means the brand has now grown to eight countries on four continents, including editions in the US, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France and Sweden. The festival will return to India in 2024.

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Imagine Dragons and The Strokes will headline the inaugural edition of Lollapalooza India.

Other acts slated to perform at the Mumbai event include Greta Van Fleet, electronic dance music’s Diplo and Zhu, Indo-Canadian Punjabi music and rap-star AP Dhillon, and dream-pop artists Cigarettes After Sex.

The lineup also features a mix of Indian and international acts including Prateek Kuhad, Divine, Japanese Breakfast, Madeon, Alec Benjamin, Jackson Wang, Chelsea Cutler, The Wombats, Imanbek, Kasablanca, Apashe, Raveena, The Yellow Diary.

Bloodywood, Sandunes, Aswekeepsearching, The F16s, Kayan, Tejas, House of Hashbass, Madboy/Mink, T.ill APES, Kumail, Kavya, Mali, Tanmaya Bhatnagar, Easy Wanderlings, Abhi Meer, Bombay Brass, Parimal Shais, Siri, Tracy De Sa and Aadya are also on the bill.

“The event will feature more than 40 artists across four stages and over 20 hours of live music”

In total, the event will feature more than 40 artists across four stages and over 20 hours of live music. Some 60,000 fans are expected. The two-day festival will take place at Mumbai’s Mahalaxmi Race Course, between 28 and 29, January 2023.

Lollapalooza India is being produced by Farrell, WME, C3 Presents and India’s BookMyShow, and means the brand has now grown to eight countries on four continents, including editions in the US, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France and Sweden.

“Lollapalooza India aims to bring together music aficionados across genres, entertainment enthusiasts, global and Indian audiences that are seeking marquee, unique experiences at par with international standards,” the organisers said in a statement.

“Amongst the boldest, brightest, most colourful and diverse festivals around the world, Lollapalooza is a festival that offers everyone something to take back home through its music, ethos, vibe and unparalleled experience.”

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Lollapalooza has announced it is expanding to India, with the inaugural edition set for Mumbai from 28-29 January 2023.

Lollapalooza India will showcase both global stars and local talent and will mark the first time the event has been held in Asia.

Offering two days of music across four stages as well as culinary selections, art and fashion, line-up and ticket information will be released soon.

“The music of India is transcendental, it draws our spirits East,” says Lollapalooza founder Perry Farrell. “Lollapalooza is an instrument for unity, peace, and education utilising the universal languages of music and art to find common ground.”

Lollapalooza India is being produced by Farrell, WME, C3 Presents and India’s BookMyShow, and means the brand has now grown to eight countries on four continents, including editions in the US, Chile, Brazil, Argentina, Germany, France and Sweden.

“We are excited to introduce fans to an entirely new festival experience”

“Lollapalooza has always been about exploring boundaries, musically and geographically,” says C3 Presents partner Charlie Walker. “We are excited to introduce fans to an entirely new festival experience that has been a significant rite of passage for millions of music fans around the world for more than three decades.”

BookMyShow is owned and operated by Big Tree Entertainment and is described as “India’s leading entertainment destination”. The company has brought international stars such as U2, Ed Sheeran, Coldplay and Justin Bieber to the market over the past few years.

“BookMyShow is proud to bring Lollapalooza to India – making it the eighth country and the fourth continent to do so,” says the firm’s founder and CEO Ashish Hemrajani. “With a mix of some stellar Indian talent and global artists coming together on the same stage, we expect nothing short of magic.”

Launched in 2007, BookMyShow has evolved from an online ticketing platform for movies to end-to-end management of live entertainment events including concerts, theatrical productions and sport.

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