Key Takeaways
- India’s live entertainment industry is experiencing a boom, driven by the country’s growing working-age population and rising disposable incomes.
- The industry grew by 17% last year, with 34,086 live events taking place in 2025.
- Young Indians, particularly those under 35, are driving demand for live events, with 70% of attendees falling in this age group.
- International artists are increasingly adding multiple Indian cities to their tour schedules, aided by digital platforms that make their work more accessible to fan bases across the country.
- The growth of the live entertainment industry is having spillover effects on other sectors, including hospitality, retail, transport, and tourism.
Introduction to India’s Live Entertainment Industry
The live entertainment industry in India is experiencing a significant boom, driven by the country’s growing working-age population and rising disposable incomes. According to a report by Bain & Company, India will have the highest increase in working-age population globally between 2024 and 2030, with over 100 million people expected to be added. This demographic shift is supporting stronger demand for live entertainment, with companies such as Eternal and BookMyShow betting on the trend. The live entertainment sector grew by 17% last year, with 34,086 live events taking place in 2025, spanning concerts, theatre shows, and comedy shows.
Growing Demand for Live Events
A key driver of the surge in live events is the growing number of affluent households, which are giving consumers more disposable income to spend on experiences. Young Indians, particularly those under 35, are driving demand for live events, with 70% of attendees falling in this age group. Raghav Anand, partner and leader for digital, media, and convergence at EY Parthenon, notes that the Coldplay concerts marked a turning point for the sector in India, demonstrating the scale of demand and the country’s ability to host global productions. The amplification of the event won over a huge number of people in the experiences bracket, said Anand. International artists are increasingly adding multiple Indian cities to their tour schedules, aided by digital platforms that make their work more accessible to fan bases across the country.
Affluence Fuels Demand
The rise in live events is also driven by the growing affluence of Indian households. Once households reach a certain level of affluence, they begin to prioritize experiences over material goods. Naman Pugalia, Chief Business Officer at BookMyShow, describes the rise in live events as a "real renaissance," driven by audiences placing greater value on how they spend their leisure time. This shift is reflected in growing demand for premium offerings, with 2025 seeing a doubling of footfall for premium live-event experiences, including VIP pits, viewing decks, and enhanced hospitality zones. The shift is not confined to major metropolitan areas, with smaller cities seeing rapid growth in demand for live events.
Spillover Effects
The growth of the live entertainment industry is having spillover effects on other sectors, including hospitality, retail, transport, and tourism. Coldplay’s Ahmedabad concerts alone generated 6.41 billion rupees ($70.5 million) in economic value across these sectors, according to a report by EY. To keep pace with demand, organizers and ticketing platforms are investing in larger venues, improved safety measures, and more efficient crowd management. However, infrastructure remains a constraint, with India having fewer than 10 purpose-built concert venues capable of hosting audiences of more than 10,000 in major cities, and almost none in smaller urban centers.
Future Outlook
Looking ahead, the live entertainment industry in India is expected to continue to grow, with 2026 expected to be a breakout year. The industry is approaching an inflection point, with live entertainment taking a more central role in India’s consumer economy. The government has set a target for India to be among the world’s top five live entertainment destinations by 2030, and the sector is expected to play a significant role in achieving this goal. With the growing demand for live events and the increasing affluence of Indian households, the live entertainment industry in India is poised for continued growth and success.
