In brief
Diljit Dosanjh's recent concert in Chandigarh has sparked outrage as fans complain of inadequate facilities including dirty toilets and poor crowd management. Many are now opting for international concerts for a better experience, as the Indian concert scene faces growing criticism.
At a time when live music is booming in India, frustrations are rising. Amrita Kaur's anticipation turned to disappointment when she faced long queues for unhygienic restrooms at Diljit Dosanjh's concert. With minimal crowd control and overloaded mobile networks exacerbating safety fears, the concert left fans feeling like paying exorbitantly meant enduring countless inconveniences.India's concert industry has seen significant growth, generating around 8 billion rupees ($94.1 million) in revenue last year, with expectations to raise that figure by 25% by 2025. However, despite rising ticket prices and a booming young audience, the actual experience at these events often falls significantly short.Fans like Ishika Goon and Sreoshi Mukherjee are turning to concerts abroad, sharing tales of how different venues prioritize cleanliness and crowd management. Rising complaints on social media echo a sentiment of discontent, with one diabetic fan’s unfortunate incident at a Bryan Adams concert drawing particular outrage.Event organizers acknowledge the challenges posed by inadequate infrastructure, citing a lack of dedicated concert venues in India. Many concerts are held in temporary, unsuitable locations leading to poor facilities that discourage not just ticket sales but overall live music growth in the country.While ticket prices continue to soar, concerns about accessibility for people with disabilities reveal an even bigger oversight in planning. Industry professionals advocate for a collaborative effort to improve conditions, stressing the need for both organizers and venues to meet basic standards.With major acts like Ed Sheeran and Green Day set to perform soon, concertgoers hope for improvements that match the excitement of their favorite stars. For now, though, many fans remain torn between the thrill of live music and the distinctly messy reality of Indian concert culture.
