Coldplay amps up live streaming mood for Indian singers

Mumbai — In a dramatic shift in India’s live music scene, fans of local music icons Arijit Singh and Sonu Nigam are leading the charge for greater access to their performances, particularly through live-streaming platforms. The demand comes after Coldplay’s recent India concert was live-streamed, drawing millions of viewers across the country and sparking a wider conversation about the potential of hybrid live events.

Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres World Tour” made waves in India, culminating in a historic performance in Ahmedabad on January 26. The concert, broadcast live on Disney+ Hotstar, amassed an astounding 83 lakh views and generated a staggering 165 million minutes of viewing time. The success of the live stream, with 85% of its audience tuning in from Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and other regions, has paved the way for an increasing demand for similar streaming options for Indian music events.

Fans Want Arijit Singh and Sonu Nigam on Screen
Indian fans, who have long revered Arijit Singh’s soulful melodies and Sonu Nigam’s timeless classics, are voicing their desires on social media for event planners and streaming services to follow suit with live-streamed performances of these local stars. Many fans have expressed frustration as tickets for Singh’s and Nigam’s concerts often sell out within minutes, leaving numerous devoted followers unable to attend in person.

“I’ve been a fan of Arijit for years, but his concerts are so popular that tickets are gone in a flash. A live stream would allow so many more people like me to experience the magic of his shows,” said Pooja Verma, a fan from Lucknow.

The Future of Live Music in India: A Hybrid Revolution
While live streaming itself is not a new concept globally, its widespread use in India could revolutionize the country’s live music scene. The integration of live-streaming with traditional live events could drastically widen the audience reach without compromising the intimacy of a live performance.

Industry experts agree that hybrid formats, where fans can attend both physically and virtually, represent the future of live entertainment in India. “Streaming opens up live events to a massive audience that would otherwise be left out,” said Rahul Verma, an event organizer in Mumbai. “By embracing this technology, we can bring world-class performances to the masses, while still preserving the essence of live events.”

Streaming as an Inclusive Experience
Proponents of live-streaming emphasize that this collaboration between event planners, performers, and streaming services can create a more inclusive experience. It ensures that fans, who might face geographic, financial, or other barriers, can still participate in live events and enjoy them from the comfort of their homes.

Streaming services, such as Disney+ Hotstar, which broadcast Coldplay’s concert to millions across India, have proven that there is a vast, untapped audience for live music events online. The success of Coldplay’s concert and the increasing call for similar experiences from Indian audiences highlight the massive potential of live-streaming in transforming the live music landscape in India.

The Way Forward
Given the overwhelming demand, streaming services and event planners are now faced with the challenge of balancing exclusivity with accessibility. Will we soon see live-streamed concerts from Arijit Singh, Sonu Nigam, and other big names in the Indian music industry? The trend set by Coldplay may very well pave the way for a new era of live music in India, where fans across the country can experience performances in real-time, without missing a beat.

As live-streaming continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how event organizers and streaming platforms will rise to the occasion. But one thing is clear: Indian fans are ready to embrace the future of live music.

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