In brief
Concert attendees in India are expressing dissatisfaction with their experiences at various music events, including Diljit Dosanjh's recent concert in Chandigarh, raising concerns over inadequate facilities, overwhelmed venues, and high ticket prices.
Amrita Kaur, a fan who attended Punjabi pop star Diljit Dosanjh's concert this month in Chandigarh, had prepared herself for some discomfort but was unprepared for the subpar conditions she faced. With little crowd control and no sanitation facilities in sight, she found herself navigating a precarious situation—finding a place to alleviate herself meant enduring long queues for unsanitary restrooms.The venue for the event, a vast piece of governmental land located in northern India, lacked proper transport links and parking options, squeezing concert-goers like Kaur into unwelcome traffic delays following the event. "You pay so much for a ticket and what do you get in return? A possible urinary infection and a bad headache with some bouts of music," she lamented.Despite being a year packed with high-profile concerts by international stars, the infrastructure supporting these events is often crumbling. Concerts in India collected approximately 8 billion rupees ($94.1 million; £75.3 million) last year—a figure anticipated to rise by 25% by 2025. The demand is substantial, as more than 400,000 attendees traveled across cities this year specifically to attend live music events.However, this enthusiasm has not translated to positive experiences. Disturbingly, a diabetic attendee at a Bryan Adams concert was reportedly unable to find adequate restroom access, resulting in an embarrassing situation, drawing further frustration from the public. Following this incident, Dosanjh declared he would refrain from performing again until venues improved their infrastructure, although he later specified his comments were directed at just one venue.Concertgoers across social media are echoing similar claims of distress—from exorbitantly high ticket prices to brutal traffic conditions—and many fans are now considering attending shows abroad where experienced venues are available. Ishika Goon, a lawyer based in Bengaluru, shared a positive experience at Adele's concert in Munich, citing clean facilities throughout the event.Industry experts recognize the struggle with inadequate infrastructure, attributing the problem to a lack of venues suitable for large concerts in India. This shortage forces organizers to utilize suboptimal locations that lack essential services for large crowds. Even government-owned sites often marred with red tape complicate the process of hosting events, which prevents the growth of the live music industry as a whole.In considering these challenges, organizers are compelled to spend substantial amounts to establish temporary facilities for events, an expensive endeavor that often leads to considerable losses. Smaller artists, especially, find it difficult to find opportunities in a climate that favors well-known headliners capable of drawing large audiences.Criticism is also brewing over inflated ticket prices, preventing many from attending. Additionally, accessibility remains a pressing concern at many venues, where facilities for disabled individuals often fall short. Kaur mentioned needing to carry a friend using a wheelchair into the concert as there weren’t any ramps available.As concert prices continue to rise, the potential for a volatile backlash from fans looms. Word-of-mouth plays a critical role in dictating attendance, and persistent dissatisfaction may lead to irrevocable damage to the reputation of event organizers. Ultimately, while no one proposed a single solution to the extensive issues voiced by concertgoers, the expectation for a better experience remains a hope among fans anticipating upcoming shows featuring big names like Ed Sheeran and Green Day. Some find solace in the chaotic energy of concerts, regardless of the obstacles: "It's like you're stuck on an island with hundreds of strangers, united by their determination to survive the night," shared student Mohammad Sami, summoning the essence of live music amidst imperfect conditions.
