Coldplay brought its Music of the Spheres tour to Ahmedabad, with two sold-out performances at the Narendra Modi Stadium over the Republic Day weekend. The India leg of the tour covered two cities across five days, with Ahmedabad serving as the spectacular finale.
The two-day Ahmedabad concert created an estimated economic impact exceeding ₹641 crore, as per a report by EY-Parthenon and BookMyShow Live. Of this amount, ₹392 crore enhanced Ahmedabad’s local economy, fueled by spending on accommodation, transportation, dining, and retail sectors. The event also generated ₹72 crore in GST revenue for the Government of India. Attracting attendees from over 500 cities across all 28 states and five union territories, the concert saw a total of 2.22 lakh visitors over the two days, as reported by Forbes India.
“As we witness the dynamic growth of India’s live entertainment sector, which has surpassed the ₹12,000 crore mark in 2024 and is projected to grow at a robust CAGR of around 19% over the next three years, the increasing consumer spends are fuelling this transformative journey. This surge in consumer enthusiasm for world-class events reflects not just a rising disposable income but an evolving cultural fabric that craves immersive experiences,” said Raghav Anand, Partner and Leader – Digital, Media and Convergence, EY-Parthenon.
Coldplay concerts are renowned for sustainability practices and minimal waste. In India, these standards were skillfully adapted. “One of the primary ways we assess the impact of our green initiatives is by tracking the percentage of event waste successfully diverted from landfills. 34,000+ kg of waste was diverted away from landfills – that is 95% of the waste generated from Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres Tour in Ahmedabad,” said Naman Pugalia, Chief Business Officer – Live Events, BookMyShow to Fortune India.
A key highlight was the elimination of single-use plastic bottles, replaced by 20-liter water jars, and over 1 lakh biodegradable rice husk cups to meet hydration needs. Approximately 70% of the LED wristbands used during the concert were returned and repurposed for future events. The event was powered by innovative clean energy solutions, including electricity generated through cycling stations, kinetic dance floors, and solar panels. Energy produced on Day 1 fueled Day 2, while Day 2’s energy supported the dismantling process. Large rechargeable batteries, transported from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and Ahmedabad, were utilized for energy storage, and later shipped back to the UK for reuse. To further reduce the carbon footprint, nearly 100 eco-friendly shuttle vehicles were deployed across designated zones. Sustainability efforts also extended to food and beverage planning.
“The Coldplay concert in Ahmedabad stands as a landmark moment – not just for Gujarat, but for India’s growing stature in the global live entertainment industry. The seamless execution, the scale and the cultural celebration reaffirm India’s readiness to host iconic international acts, while also delivering tangible economic value and putting Indian cities on the global map,” remarked Jay Shah, Chairman – International Cricket Council (ICC), in a statement.
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