India is gearing up for a flurry of major music events, with Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Dil-Luminati’ concert set to rock Delhi on October 26th, followed by Dua Lipa’s ZomatoLive concert in Mumbai on November 30th, 2024. However, amidst the excitement, a critical question looms: Is India truly ready for these mega concerts?
A recent report in Hindustan Times paints a sobering picture, highlighting the challenges facing the Indian concert scene. According to the report, a sense of unease surrounds the industry, with performers, audiences, and organizers alike voicing concerns.
“The Indian concert scene is morbid,” a Delhi-based event organiser lamented to the publication. He pointed to a deeply ingrained culture of expecting everything for free, which he believes undermines the value of artists and the event itself. “People want jugaad in everything and access for free. That mindset means there is no respect for the artiste or the event. Everything is about showing off and being there,” said Sarthak, a DJ and promoter.
Other issues include the lack of planning and infrastructure. “The organisers and promoters often oversell. They conceptualise the tour and concert and then try to fit that vision into whatever available venue they get. That leads to issues like overcrowding or lack of proper fire exits etc. In the west, the venue and everything else is decided before the tour planning begins. That needs to change,” added the Delhi-based event organiser.
Zomato CEO Deepinder Goyal echoed these concerns, highlighting the issue of free ticket requests. “I’ve been getting a lot of messages for free passes to the concert. Interestingly, all these requests are from people who can very well pay for these tickets. At my end, I am leaving all such messages on seen,” Goyal wrote on X.
Despite these challenges, organizers are determined to make these events a success. Diljit Dosanjh’s concert is expected to draw 35,000 fans to the JLN stadium in Delhi, and organizers are working to address the concerns raised in the report. Avinash, the head of Diljit’s Delhi concert, acknowledged the need for basic facilities. “Music fans are willing to put up with the odd inconvenience. The organisers just need to give us the basic facilities. The experience is killed if you don’t even have proper washrooms, exit lines, or some support. That is all that we ask for,” he said.
The success of these events will depend on a collaborative effort, with organizers, performers, and audiences working together to create a positive and memorable experience. The upcoming concerts will be a litmus test, demonstrating whether India is ready to embrace the world of mega concerts and the unique challenges they present.