Mumbai:

British rock band Coldplay’s upcoming tour of India has triggered a police investigation and dismayed fans after scalpers bought up cheap tickets to resell online for more than Rs 83000 a piece.

Thousands of music fans tried and failed to buy tickets for three concerts scheduled in the financial hub Mumbai next January, sold by the popular Indian online ticket portal BookMyShow. 

All three shows sold out in minutes, and those who missed out were infuriated when they saw tickets worth Rs. 6,000- appear on resale websites at vastly inflated prices.

“The tickets are being sold at 10 times, 20 times, 30 times the price that is being sold on the website itself,” student Anna Abraham, 19, told AFP. 

“I wouldn’t feel good about it myself if I knew that I paid for something 30 times more than what I could have paid for.”

Local media reports said BookMyShow’s chief operating officer was questioned by police Monday after a complaint brought by Mumbai lawyer Amit Vyas, who claimed the vendor was working with “black marketeers” to make an extra windfall on ticket sales. 

“I checked with nearly 100 people who I know are regulars at concerts, none of them had gotten a ticket,” Vyas said, according to the Indian Express newspaper. 

“This made me suspicious. I then decided to approach the police as I knew that something was amiss.”

BookMyShow issued a statement after the public backlash began last week, saying it had “no association” with unauthorised ticket selling. 

“Scalping and black marketing of tickets is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India and BookMyShow vehemently opposes this practice,” the company said. 

Controversies surrounding tickets for major international musical or sporting events are not new.

US megastar Taylor Swift lashed out at Ticketmaster in 2022 following fan anger over sales to concerts staged for her globe-spanning ‘The Eras Tour’.

The debacle sparked debate over the Ticketmaster’s privileged position in the industry amid fan complaints of hidden fees, rampant ticket scalping and limited tickets due to presales.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a press release)

New Delhi:

BookMyShow chief executive officer and co-founder Ashish Hemrajani and the company’s technical head have been issued fresh summons over the alleged black marketing of tickets for the concert by British rock band Coldplay. The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW), which had earlier called them for questioning on Saturday, has now asked them to appear before an investigating officer today.

According to sources, both of them are not in touch with the police.

The police have initiated a probe on the complaint of an advocate, Amit Vyas, who accused the ticketing platform of facilitating the black marketing of tickets for the Coldplay concert at Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium from January 19 to 21 next year.

Mr Vyas has alleged that Coldplay’s India tour tickets, which were originally priced at Rs 2,500, are being resold by third parties and influencers for as much as Rs 3 lakh.

He alleged that BookMyShow deceived the public and Coldplay fans, and is seeking a case to be registered against the company on fraud charges.

The police have already recorded Mr Vyas’ statement and have identified several brokers involved in the alleged ticket scalping.

BookMyShow had crashed when the sale of tickets for Coldplay’s India concert began on September 22.

The British rock band, which is returning to India after an eight-year hiatus, had then added a third show to the Mumbai leg of the “Music of the Spheres World Tour 2025”.

BookMyShow On Coldplay’s India Concert

As the issue of “fake” tickets for the Coldplay concert snowballed, the BookMyShow said it has no association with any unauthorised ticket-selling or reselling platforms and has also filed a police complaint.

The ticketing platform also claimed that it took a number of steps to ensure that all genuine fans had a fair chance to secure tickets for the British pop-rock band’s concerts and warned against buying passes from unauthorised sources, saying that they may be invalid or fake.

“With 13 million (1.3 crore) fans eager to get tickets and logged in, emotions ran high on September 22 on BookMyShow for Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India. At BookMyShow, we’ve worked hard to ensure every fan had a fair chance to secure tickets, capping it at 4 tickets per user across all shows, providing clear, step-by-step booking guides and maintaining transparent communication through all our official channels,” a BookMyShow spokesperson said.

The company said the queueing system was put in place to manage the high demand and while that may have caused a brief delay, it ensured “minimal disruption” for genuine fans. It also pointed out that a third show was added, which got a great response.

“It came to our notice however that unauthorised platforms listed – and are continuing to list – tickets…both before and after the official sale. BookMyShow has no association with any such unauthorised ticket selling/reselling platforms including but not limited to Viagogo and Gigsberg or third-party individuals for the purpose of reselling Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added that BookMyShow opposes the practice of scalping and black-marketing of tickets, which is punishable by law, and said that the company has filed a complaint with the police.

“We have not only filed a complaint with the police authorities but are also proactively working with them to provide complete support in the investigation of this matter in any manner that may be required. To our consumers, we would like to reiterate that any tickets bought from unauthorised sources will be at their own risk and may likely be invalid or fake tickets,” the spokesperson warned.

Mumbai:

The BookMyShow chief executive officer and co-founder Ashish Hemrajani and the company’s technical head have been summoned by Mumbai Police over the alleged black marketing of tickets for shows of British rock band Coldplay, an official said on Friday. The Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has initiated a probe on the complaint of an advocate, who accused the ticketing platform of facilitating the black marketing of tickets for the Coldplay concert at the Navi Mumbai’s DY Patil Stadium, scheduled to be held from January 19 to 21, 2025.

Mr Hemrajani and the BookMyShow’s technical head have been asked to record their statements on Saturday, the official said.

The advocate, Amit Vyas, filed a police complaint and alleged that Coldplay’s India tour tickets, which were originally priced at Rs 2,500, are being resold by third parties and influencers for as much as Rs 3 lakh.

He alleged that BookMyShow deceived the public and Coldplay fans, and is seeking a case to be registered against the company on fraud charges.

The EOW has already recorded Mr Vyas’ statement and has identified several brokers involved in the alleged ticket scalping.

Uddhav Camp On “Black-Marketing” Of Coldplay India Concert Tickets

The Opposition Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) said that there appears to be a “nexus engaged in the black-marketing” of tickets for the Coldplay India concert, and demanded a thorough investigation into the case.

“The tickets were reportedly sold out within minutes of being made available online, which left many genuine fans disappointed… It appears that there may be a nexus engaged in the black-marketing of tickets, exploiting the enthusiasm of young fans who are willing to spend large amounts of their parents’ hard-earned money to attend this concert,” Shiv Sena (UBT) spokesperson Anand Dubey said in a letter to Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde.

“I believe that with your intervention, appropriate measures can be taken to prevent such incidents,” he told Mr Shinde.

A member of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also alleged the organisers of the Coldplay India concert were “engaged” in the black marketing of the tickets.

“Whoever is involved in this matter should be in jail. We will not allow any black marketing in the state,” BJP spokesperson Ram Kadam said.

BookMyShow had crashed when the sale for Coldplay’s Mumbai concert began on September 22. The British rock band, which will return to India after an eight-year hiatus, had then added a third show to the Mumbai leg of the “Music of the Spheres World Tour 2025”.

Tens of thousands of Indian Coldplay fans were gutted when they failed to get the highly coveted concert passes for the band’s Mumbai show after queuing up for hours on online ticketing platform BookMyShow.

Coldplay’s India concert – part of the Music of The Spheres World Tour 2025 – kicked off a rush for tickets, which were gone within minutes of going on sale on September 22.

The stupendous fan frenzy in India highlights the enduring popularity of this Grammy-winning British rock band in a country where such big-ticket concerts are rare.

Coldplay, which was born in London in 1997, is arguably among the most iconic rock bands of the times. The music made by lead vocalist Chris Martin, guitarist Jonny Buckland, bassist Guy Berryman, and drummer Will Champion has been described as “melodic, emotional and uplifting”, playing on themes of love, loss, and hope.

Coldplay last visited India in 2016 for a concert remembered by Gen X and Y with much delight.

The 2025 Mumbai tour is scheduled on January 18, 19, and 21 (added later) at DY Patil Stadium. The official ticket prices ranged from Rs 2,500 to Rs 35,000 for lounge access. However, the reality was starkly different.

Mad rush

Around 1.3 crore Coldplay fans rushed to scoop up tickets, resulting in a sell-out of all 1.5 lakh tickets within 30 minutes. Fans flooded BookMyShow’s website and app when ticket sales began at noon on Sunday but were crushed to learn that the shows were fully booked. BookMyShow added a third show but has failed to silence fans outraging over unfair ticketing practices.

“Soldplay” memes and rants flooded social media, with disappointed fans flagging reseller sites and inflated prices. Many complained that resale platforms bought the tickets and, taking advantage of the huge demand, sold them at inflated prices climbing to as much as Rs 3 -10 lakh.

“It really hurts that I couldn’t get a ticket to your Mumbai concert. Most people bought them just to resell at a high price, and real fans like me missed out. Hopefully next time,” lamented a heartbroken fan.

BookMyShow eventually issued a warning, advising fans to avoid unauthorised platforms that were selling fake tickets at inflated prices.

“BookMyShow has no association with any ticket selling/reselling platforms such as Viagogo and Ginsberg or third party individuals for the purpose of reselling of Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India,” it said in a statement on X.

For thousands, scoring a ticket meant fastest finger first. Or luck. Or if all else failed, the black market.

“We tried buying the tickets for Coldplay but it hardly took us ten minutes to realise that there were no tickets available. Coldplay, being one of the biggest music groups right now, you do expect such demand. But the sad thing is that the tickets are available in the black market and it was costing rupees one to three lakh,” says Bengaluru-based DJ Clitus, who has been in the music industry for the last 30 years.

“Who are these people selling the tickets and who are the people buying them? I don’t think true fans would pay so much money for the concert,” he remarks.

Furious Fans

In today’s connected world, musicians and singers have devoted fans across continents. They have a huge fan base in India as well. Yet not many of these popular singers have chosen to come to India on their tours, leaving fans disappointed. But that hasn’t stopped those who are ready to fly to concert venues abroad to catch their favourite stars on stage.

In March, Taylor Swift held six concerts in Singapore as part of her global Eras Tour but none in India despite her massive fan base here. Many Swifties from India flew to Singapore for her concert. Even K-Pop groups, though Asian and with a huge fan base in India, are yet to travel here.

The sheer logistics and costs involved in touring a country as vast and complex as India likely deters many music stars from including it in their itinerary.

“It can be challenging to organise schedules, arrange travel, and ensure a smooth experience for both the artists and the audience. Moreover, there may be concerns about the size of the target audience and the demand for specific genres or artists in India,” says a concert organiser who didn’t want to be named.

The world of music now draws not just aficionados but a wider audience of those who simply enjoy music and those who like to be seen at such events, be it celebrities or influencers.

“I think the organising of these events is not up to standard. People are trying to make fast money. It’s more of a social media trend. How many people would actually know Coldplay beyond a song or two? Organisers need to come up with some ideas similar to how they do in the West – like having fans get the tickets first,” says DJ Clitus.

Those who refuse to give up are now joining virtual queues for tickets to see Coldplay perform in Abu Dhabi next year.

New Delhi:

British rock band Coldplay on Sunday added a third show to the Mumbai leg of its “Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025” citing “phenomenal demand”, hours after fans expressed disappointment over long virtual queues on the online ticket platform BookMyShow.

According to the platform’s website, all three shows are sold out.

The tickets for the new show, set to be held on January 21 at Mumbai’s DY Patil Sports Stadium, went live at 2 pm on BookMyShow.

“Due to phenomenal demand, a third Mumbai date has been added at DY Patil Stadium for 21 January, 2025. Tickets on sale at 2PM IST today,” Coldplay said in an X post, alongside the booking link.

Due to phenomenal demand, a third Mumbai date has been added at DY Patil Stadium for 21 January, 2025. Tickets on sale at 2PM IST today, at https://t.co/4CTfg2kbGUpic.twitter.com/ScYDrRkDIc

— Coldplay (@coldplay) September 22, 2024

According to reports, the server of BookMyShow website and app on Sunday crashed as it opened the sale for the British band’s concerts scheduled for next year.

Soon, hashtags ‘Coldplay’, ‘BookMyShow’, and ‘Crashed’ started trending on X.

Coldplay had already announced two shows on January 18 and 19, 2025, at the DY Patil Sports Stadium.

Several fans shared screenshots of their frozen computer screens and smartphones with the app experiencing a lot of traffic.

According to BookMyShow, the sale for the tickets of the two shows on January 18 and 19, 2025, at Mumbai’s DY Patil Sports Stadium, was supposed to open at 12 noon. Many said the tickets remained unavailable for booking well over 12.15 pm.

The ticket prices range from Rs 2,500 to Rs 12,500, with Rs 35000 for lounge area, according to the platform’s website.

In less than an hour, the server got back up and BookMyShow shared a message of facing “heavy traffic” on every account trying to book a ticket, with the wait list going as high as 842,745 (data on BookMyShow website as per 1.39 pm).

“Because of heavy traffic, queue is moving slower than expected. Thank you for your patience!” read a message on the platform.

A fan claimed other platforms are selling Coldplay tickets at inflated prices.

“Dear @coldplay, fans in India are struggling to get tickets on @Bookmyshow_live with waitlists over 300k, but platforms like Viagogo (search coldplay india tickets on google, first sponsored link will be VIAGOGO)are selling them at inflated prices. #coldplayindia #BookMyShow (sic)” said a user.

Soon, BookMyShow warned fans about unauthorised platforms selling fake tickets for the Coldplay India tour.

“It has come to our attention that unauthorised platforms are listing tickets for Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025 in India, both before and after the official sale.

“These tickets are invalid. Ticket scalping is illegal in India and punishable by law. Please don’t fall prey to this because you will be buying fake tickets. Avoid scams! BookMyShow is the only official platform for ticket sales,” the platform said in a post on X. A few helpful fans suggested others waiting to refresh the page.

“If you are in the queue for coldplay tickets and it’s going slow, refresh your page. It’s going to be quicker #Coldplay #BookMyShow (sic)” said an X user.

“Indians everytime when they try to book tickets of Coldplay and any other major event on bookmyshow! Crashed again! #bookmyshow #Coldplay (sic)” wrote another.

“Bookmyshow server be like: Sir mai kaam hi nahi karta kuch! #BookMyShow #Coldplay (sic)” a user joked on X.

The Mumbai concert will mark Coldplay’s first visit to India in eight years.

The Grammy-winning band previously performed in Mumbai as part of the Global Citizen Festival back in 2016.

“Music Of The Spheres World Tour 2025” will commence on October 30 at the Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Australia, and will conclude on August 31, 2025, with a show at the Wembley Stadium in London, the UK.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The highly anticipated sale of Coldplay’s India concert tickets turned into a comedic frenzy on social media, as BookMyShow’s website crashed seconds before going live.

After an eight-year-long wait, the iconic British rock band is returning to India, with three concerts scheduled for January 18, 19, and 21, 2025, at Mumbai’s D.Y. Patil Sports Stadium. The much-anticipated event is part of their global Music of the Spheres World Tour. 

Tickets for the first two concert dates went on sale today at 12 PM IST on BookMyShow. However, the excitement overwhelmed the platform, which crashed just seconds before sales for the Mumbai shows began. BookMyShow quickly recovered and resumed operations, with the tickets for the January 18 and 19 shows selling out rapidly. 

While tickets for the first two days are no longer available, the ticketing process for the January 21 concert is still ongoing. Fans are eagerly trying to secure their spots for the final show.

Meanwhile, eager fans took to X to express their frustration and disappointment through hilarious memes. The hashtag #BookMyShow trended within minutes.

Take a look at some memes below:

#Coldplay#BookMyShow

Me asking my friends right now: pic.twitter.com/oanEGIVdDb

— Chatur Ki Memes (@ChaturKiMemes) September 22, 2024

Nobody can Fix us Now!!!#Coldplay#mumbai#bookmyshow#memepic.twitter.com/5AbEx1SIPh

— Kirti Vardhan (@thebrokenhash) September 22, 2024

????????????????????????#coldplay#BookMyShowpic.twitter.com/SRt0QBbOC1

— Tushar (@TheTusharLuthra) September 22, 2024

People in queue #Coldplay#BookMyShowpic.twitter.com/8uDdKnRlUP

— PJ | Burnt Maska (@Prajjwal08) September 22, 2024

Bookmyshow server be like: Sir mai kaam hi nahi karta kuch! ????#BookMyShow#Coldplaypic.twitter.com/v4eydcxWeo

— Karan Gupta (@Kar_toooon) September 22, 2024

Leaving the BookMyShow coldplay Mumbai concert queue!#Coldplay#BookMyShowpic.twitter.com/WwxxmoHwh7

— SaaS Junction || AI & SaaS Updates (@SaasJunctionHQ) September 22, 2024

My sister has been like this for nearly 3 hours trying to get a ticket for the Coldplay concert, and mom just said, “Come for lunch now, otherwise, the food will become just like your favorite music band. Cold.” ???? pic.twitter.com/IJ0JuxiBPM

— Zucker Doctor (@DoctorLFC) September 22, 2024

#Coldplaypic.twitter.com/lSkHaWfRZO

— Savage2.0 (@Meme_Canteen) September 22, 2024

Coldplay meme #Coldplayindia#BookMyShowpic.twitter.com/jbVEfR9c1E

— S H i V A M ???? ???? (@eternal_shivam) September 22, 2024

Coldplay out here pitching family against eachother pic.twitter.com/bNCbIn6wM9

— Gorangi (@gorangii09) September 22, 2024

#Coldplay#BookMyShow#BMS

Indian Singers watching people book tickets for Coldplay’s concert: pic.twitter.com/DG5XgUP3o9

— Chatur Ki Memes (@ChaturKiMemes) September 22, 2024

Initially, the concert was scheduled for January 18 and 19, 2025. However, fans’ overwhelming response prompted the band to add another night. The British rock band announced the new date on X stating: “Due to phenomenal demand, a third Mumbai date has been added at DY Patil Stadium for 21 January, 2025. Tickets on sale at 2PM IST today.”

New Delhi:

Ticketing site BookMyShow crashed today just seconds before sale for Coldplay’s Mumbai concert began. Coldplay will be bringing their much-anticipated Music Of The Spheres World Tour to India, and tickets for the band’s Mumbai concert go on sale today.

The iconic British rock band will perform at D.Y. Patil Sports Stadium on January 18 and 19, 2025.

Coldplay is set to return to India after an eight-year hiatus, and fans are ecstatic. The band’s highly anticipated concert announcement has generated immense excitement, with promoters promising an “extraordinary experience” for attendees.

The concert will feature a mix of hits from their acclaimed album “Music of the Spheres,” including new singles “We Pray” and “feelslikeimfallinginlove,” alongside beloved classics like “Yellow,” “Fix You,” and “Viva La Vida.” The show will boast stunning visuals, with lasers, fireworks, and LED displays.

The “Music of the Spheres World Tour” has sold over 10 million tickets worldwide since its launch in March 2022, with upcoming shows in Abu Dhabi, Seoul, and Hong Kong.

Coldplay’s new album, “Moon Music,” releases on October 4, 2024, and aims to set new sustainability standards in the music industry, with vinyls made from 100% recycled plastic. Lead vocalist Chris Martin reflected on the album’s theme, saying, “Maybe love is the best response” to global conflicts.

This marks Coldplay’s second performance in India, following their 2016 appearance at the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai. The band, formed in 1997, comprises Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion. Some of their biggest hits include “A Sky Full of Stars,” “Don’t Panic,” “Viva La Vida,” and “In My Place.”

New Delhi:

Music fans, the wait is over! Coldplay is bringing their much-anticipated Music Of The Spheres World Tour to India, and tickets for the band’s Mumbai concert go on sale today, September 22, at 12 PM IST. The iconic British rock band will perform at D.Y. Patil Sports Stadium on January 18 and 19, 2025.

With Coldplay’s last Indian concert held nine years ago in 2016, excitement for their return is at an all-time high.

​Where to Get Your Tickets:

• Booking Platform: BookMyShow is the exclusive platform for purchasing Coldplay concert tickets. 
• Ticket Release Time: 12 PM IST September 22, 2024.
• Ticket Prices: Regular tickets are priced between Rs 2,500 and Rs 35,000.

Ticket Options:

• Standing Tickets (Rs 6,450): Get up close to the action, but consider a spot slightly away from the stage for a better view.
• Seated Tickets (Rs 2,500 to Rs 9,500): Rows 2 in sections A and P offer the best seated experience. For lower-cost seats, opt for rows in A or P, and avoid sections M, N, C and D for better visibility.
• Lounge Tickets (Rs 35,000): These premium tickets come with an array of luxury perks, including premium food and beverage service, access to an elevated viewing deck for the best stage views, and dedicated entry lanes, restrooms, and parking. Lounge ticket holders will also enjoy the convenience of an air-conditioned pre-function area.
• Infinity Tickets: A unique ticketing feature for this concert is Coldplay’s Infinity Tickets. These special tickets, priced at Rs 2,000 per pair, offer a mystery seating arrangement that will only be revealed on the day of the concert. You can purchase up to two pairs per buyer.

Booking Tips:

• Ensure you are logged into BookMyShow before 12 PM for a faster checkout.
• Have your payment details and ID information at hand to avoid delays.
• Keep an eye on BookMyShow’s social media platforms for any updates or technical issues during the booking process.

Coldplay’s performance is expected to feature songs from their Music Of The Spheres album, alongside new singles like We Pray and feelslikeimfallinginlove from their upcoming release Moon Music, set to drop on October 4. Fans can also anticipate classic hits like Yellow, The Scientist, and Fix You, all paired with stunning visual effects, including lasers, fireworks and the signature LED wristbands that Coldplay fans love.

Coldplay’s Music Of The Spheres tour is also breaking new ground in sustainability. The band has reduced CO2 emissions by 59 per cent compared to their previous tour and has already planted over 9 million trees worldwide. Their new album Moon Music will even be released on vinyl made from 100 per cent recycled plastic bottles.

Don’t miss out! Head to BookMyShow at noon today to secure your tickets for what promises to be an unforgettable concert.