Coldplay’s highly anticipated return to India after nine years has ignited a frenzy among fans, leading to a mad scramble for concert tickets and hotel rooms in Mumbai. The band’s Mumbai concert sold out within minutes, leaving fans frustrated after hours of waiting in virtual queues. This unexpected turn of events has sparked a surge in the ‘gig-tripping’ trend, where fans plan trips, often internationally, to attend concerts by their favorite artists.
Skyscanner, a leading online travel company, predicts that cultural exploration will be a top travel priority in 2024, with gig-tripping taking center stage. The company’s Travel Trends 2024 report reveals that 37% of Indian travelers are willing to fly short-haul to see their favorite performers live, while 20% are ready to embark on long-haul journeys. Overall, 44% of Indian travelers expressed their desire to attend a music concert in 2024, with a significant portion of interest coming from 25 to 34-year-olds.
With Mumbai concert tickets quickly selling out and being resold at exorbitant prices—reportedly ₹ 50,000 and above—many Coldplay fans in India have turned their attention to international destinations. Among them, Abu Dhabi has emerged as a popular choice, with the band scheduled to perform there on January 11-12. Several fans from Bengaluru and Mumbai have already shared screenshots of their tickets on X, showcasing their eagerness to witness the performance.
The report suggests that a significant 79% of Indian Coldplay fans would prefer to attend a concert overseas if it means saving money. Ticket prices for the Abu Dhabi concert start at AED 195, which translates to ₹ 4438.85 for standard seating, and can go up as high as AED 1,495, i.e. ₹ 34031.17 for Deluxe seating. Interestingly, attending the concert in Abu Dhabi might be a better financial decision than trying to catch the band live in Mumbai.
A round-trip flight from New Delhi to Abu Dhabi on January 10 is priced around ₹ 20,720, while a similar round-trip from Mumbai costs about ₹ 16,520. Taking into account the cost of concert tickets, the total expenses for the Abu Dhabi shows might still be lower than attending the Mumbai concert. This cost-effective alternative has attracted a significant number of Indian Coldplay fans, demonstrating the growing popularity of gig-tripping and its potential to shape travel trends in the future.
