From Coldplay to Lollapalooza, can India’s concert boom become a lasting business? In this episode of The Media Room from The Core, Vanita Kohli-Khandekar speaks with Naman Pugalia, Chief Business Officer for Live Events at BookMyShow, about India’s concert economy, the growth of live entertainment and the investment needed to bring global artists to Indian audiences.

The conversation explores BookMyShow’s evolution from a ticketing platform into a concert promoter, spanning international tours, music festivals and stand-up comedy. Pugalia explains how digital payments, social media, music streaming and a growing willingness to pay for experiences are reshaping demand for live events in India.

What does it take to turn a cricket stadium into a concert venue? Can India build enough indoor arenas to host live entertainment throughout the year? And can ticket sales and brand sponsorships sustain the business beyond a handful of blockbuster shows?

Coldplay’s India concerts and Lollapalooza India offer a window into the economics behind the stage. Pugalia shares BookMyShow’s estimate that Coldplay’s two Ahmedabad shows generated ₹641 crore in economic impact. He explains how concerts and music festivals drive spending on hotels, airlines, restaurants, merchandise and local transport, creating opportunities beyond ticket revenue.

The discussion also covers concert infrastructure, crowd safety, international artists’ production requirements, Sunburn, the expansion of live music beyond major metros and the differences between cinema ticketing and live event economics. Pugalia examines the role of brand partnerships and why moving beyond expectations of free tickets matters for the industry’s growth.

For business leaders, investors, consultants, marketers, media professionals and anyone tracking India’s media and entertainment economy, this episode offers an inside look at the business behind the concert boom.

Watch the full conversation on The Media Room from The Core to understand India’s big concert bet and what BookMyShow’s experience with Coldplay, Lollapalooza and live entertainment reveals about its future.

Chapters

(00:00) – How BookMyShow Built Its Live Events Business

(01:02) – From Ticketing Platform to Event Promoter

(06:21) – What Is Driving India’s Live Events Boom?

(10:37) – How India Is Building Infrastructure for Global Concerts

(15:16) – Why India Still Needs More World-Class Venues

(21:36) – Live Events Are Growing Exponentially at BookMyShow

(23:35) – The Business and Economics of Lollapalooza and Live Events

(27:51) – Tickets vs Advertising: How Live Events Make Money

(30:01) – Why India’s Live Events Market Is Just Getting Started

(31:03) – Coldplay’s Record Ticket Sales in India