From the size of venues to the number of attendees and the grandeur of the artistes, concerts in the past year have evolved – transforming from mere music events into a larger cultural phenomenon. It didn’t matter whether one was a die-hard music lover; the sheer demand for the live gig experience had fans scrambling to snag tickets.

Case in point: Coldplay’s Ahmedabad performance broke the record for the largest stadium show of the 21st century, with 1,11,989 fans in attendance – narrowly surpassing the record set by George Strait, who played to 1,10,905 fans in Texas last June.

At a time when concerts have become a melting pot for artistes, organizers and fans alike, the conversation around event logistics has never been more relevant. From seamless entry and exit to parking, washrooms, crowd management, and ensuring both fan safety and artiste satisfaction, stakeholders across the board weigh in on the infrastructure expectations at live events.

In December, Diljit Dosanjh spoke about infrastructure at his Chandigarh show and said in Punjabi, “Here we don’t have infrastructure for live shows. This is a source of big revenue, many people get work and are able to work here... I’ll try next time that the stage is at the centre so that you (the fans) can be around it. Till this happens, I won’t do shows in India, that’s for sure.”

A diabetic Mumbai-based fan had shared his harrowing experience at the Byran Adams concert. He claimed that the lack of washrooms left him with no choice but to pee his pants. “I am NOT ashamed to say that I am diabetic with continence issues. You guys should be ashamed for providing three loos/1000 people,” he wrote in a post, accusing the organizers.

In December, singer Monali Thakur left the stage midway during a live gig in Varanasi. Explaining to her fans about this decision, the singer wrote in a post, “I am disheartened because my team and I were so excited to perform here. Let’s not talk about the infrastructure and its condition, as that is the management’s responsibility. I can’t explain what they have done to the stage just so they can steal money.”

She added, “Time and again, I said that I could injure my ankle here. My dancers have been telling me to calm down, but everything was a mess. We were trying because I am answerable to you all, and you come for me, right? You will hold me accountable for all of this”

From an organizer's perspective, several key areas warrant attention. “Beyond venue development, improvements to transportation and robust security measures are crucial. A cohesive understanding between event organizers and local authorities will significantly enhance the experience for both artistes and attendees,” says Rishabh Talwar, Business Head, Team Innovation.

-Active stadiums like a cricket stadium cannot always be used for concerts due to scheduling conflicts and their primary function as sports venues

- Organizers need multipurpose, plug-and-play venues designed for concerts, similar to those in the west

- These venues should have built-in production facilities and acoustic treatment

- The ease of organising concerts must improve, with streamlined permissions and reduced bureaucratic hurdles

— Avadh Nagpal, co founder, Souldout

- Obtaining approvals and coordinating with authorities to conduct concerts is a task, often leading to last-minute cancellations without care for the financial and logistical investment of organizers

- There is no uniformity in production quality across different venues. The same concert in Mumbai, Delhi, or Bangalore can feel drastically different because of inconsistent infrastructure and acoustics

- Lack of industry regulations: Currently, anyone with some financial backing, can call themselves an event organizer. This results in inexperienced promoters inflating artiste fees to secure shows but failing to deliver quality production or marketing

- Established artistes don’t always scrutinize the credentials of event organizers, which sometimes leads to mismanaged tours, ultimately harming the industry

— Avadh Nagpal

Talking about the Bryan Adams show that he did in Goa, Deepak Choudhary, founder and MD of EVA Live, shares, “We did a Bryan Adams show in Bambolim Stadium in Goa with 15,000 people and the city was still operating well. 70% of the time the stadium is not being used. The country has the infrastructure. The greatness of a Coldplay show in Ahmedabad is an example of that. Finally, we are getting stadiums to do concerts. Like in Delhi, A R Rahman’s show happened at Garden of Five Senses a few years ago but nobody is doing a show there now. The issue is not the absence of the facilities, but the lack of a right plan.”

“There is certainly a need to have more venues for bigger concerts. As an artiste, I also feel that fans usually struggle with logistics like parking spots or accessing the road to the venue. I feel everything else can be managed, these are the two things that we need, we lack proper planning,” shares Rahul Vaidya.

Kailash Kher, who performs with his band Kailasa, adds that it is encouraging that a discussion has now started on concerts and concert economy. “Music concerts pehle bhi hote thay par music ko lightly liya jaata tha. In the last decade – government, corporates and institutes have started taking these seriously. Infrastructure improve hone ki zaroorat hai... When international concerts happen, chahe samajh aaye na aaye, audience ka joh approach hai unke liye, ek jaisa har jagah hai. Aise hamare music ko bhi promote karna chahiye. Unke tickets black mein le rahe hain, par jab Kailasa ka show hota hai, wahi log free mein passes chahte hain toh yeh jo mentality hai, yeh change hona chahiye. Difference ko kam karne ki zaroorat hai,” Kher points out.

Subir Malik from Parikrama adds that in terms of music, light and sound, we don’t lack anything or in technical aspects, it just depends on the organizer and local event organizer. “From the musician’s point of view, I go and watch concerts all over the world. With the quality of sound, lights, and the engineers we have, the output of our vendors in India is world-class. From the music’s point of view, I am happy that India is getting all kinds of diverse artistes. The production of a show like Coldplay’s is not easy but that was managed and that is a huge thing for the country. The only thing where we need to work a little extra is crowd management, entry into the concerts, exit from the concerts and availability of toilets.”

Faridkot duo Inder Preet Singh and Rajarshi Sanyal agree that the infrastructure isn’t as big an issue as organising big concerts efficiently. “Hosting a concert takes a lot of intense technical and logistical requirements. From managing local transport for a large crowd to the food, beverages and the venue – all play an important factor in ensuring a smooth concert experience. Take for instance, the recent Coldplay concert. Many fans took a long time to just exit the venue after the concert. If we look at the one organized in Abu Dhabi, many fans were raving about how they were in their cabs and on their way home within 15 minutes after the concert was over. We have to figure out how to make the process efficient so that we can get closer to such numbers,” they tell us.

Shilpa Khanna, a resident of Sec 52, Gurgaon, who attended AP Dhillon and Karan Aujla concerts last year, shares, “I attend almost all concerts in NCR. I can manage the entry/exit points but what one cannot deal with are the washrooms at these venues. Firstly, it is impossible to find a washroom and when you do find one, there are long queues. And they are anything but hygienic. So, imagine being at a venue for 5-6 hours without any basic infrastructure in place.”

While complaints about the conditions of public restrooms at such venues remain a common grievance among concertgoers, attendees also contend with parking issues and occasional rowdy crowds. “Most of my friends choose not to go to concerts because of the crowd. Who wants to push people to enter and exit a venue. Sometimes you end up spending more time at exit and entry points than you do at the performance. It doesn’t matter if the concert is in Gurgaon or Delhi, finding a parking spot is impossible and if are lucky to find one, it takes hours to leave the venue after a concert,” says Rajat Chopra, a resident of Ramesh Nagar, who attended Bryan Adams’ show in Gurgaon last year.

Deepak Choudhary, founder and MD of an event company, shares that most promoters either already have arranged or are working to provide better washrooms at concerts. “Sometimes a promoter’s ROI does not allow them to give access to washrooms. In such cases, they are at fault. However, some of these promoters (like District by Zomato) are now asking customers to fill satisfaction forms while finalizing an event. The real issue is parking. The communication to fans abroad is ‘don’t bring your cars.’ We also tell our consumers here that there will be no parking but they still think they will find a way. They think they will bring their cars and find parking. And then we plan a 2 km walk and they get upset that they had to walk for 2 km. The infrastructure is not ready within the venue to park so many cars. And that has to be solved with the consumer behaviour, govt’s effort and pre-planning of enough parking areas near the venue. Organizers also need to make sure that there’s enough parking management.”

Deepak Choudhary highlights the gap between concertgoers’ expectations and reality. “Someone told me that they fainted because they didn’t get water at the concert but the organizers have planned enough water booths. It is a delivery expectation. We, as promoters, are not the people who will give something in your hand. We are giving you the access, doing everything we can and sometimes some promoters don’t communicate. That is the issue.”

Singer Monali Thakur’s recent concert in Varanasi came to an abrupt end due to glaring mismanagement on Sunday, leaving the singer disheartened and apologetic towards her audience.

The event, marked by alleged infrastructure issues, including apparently a poorly set-up stage, posed safety risks and forced her to call off the show midway. The singer did not mince words while criticizing the organizers, labelling them “irresponsible and unethical”.

She added, “We were trying so hard because I am answerable to you all, and you come for me, right? So, you will hold me accountable for all of this. I hope I grow so much that I can take all the responsibility myself and never have to rely on any Tom, Dick and Harry who are such a waste, unethical, and irresponsible.”

Settled in Switzerland, Thakur frequently travels to India for her work commitments. She promised her fans a better event in the future, saying, “I sincerely apologize that we have to shut down this show, but I am going to come back for sure. And I hope I can give you a much better event than this. So, forgive us.”

The incident echoes similar grievances voiced by singer Diljit Dosanjh, who recently criticized the poor infrastructure of Indian concert venues.

Monali Thakur’s song Haan Ke Haan from the film Maharaj is currently trending online, and the singer feels “gratified” about its success, especially since “its growth has been organic.”

“People are exploring songs mostly through social media. They are also able to find songs which are otherwise not even being promoted on other platforms. Haan Ke Haan had a similar story as it wasn’t promoted in any big way, and managed to gain a fan-following by itself,” the 38-year-old singer shares, adding, “I received many messages on social media, appreciating the song. I keep seeing it being used in Reels.”

For Thakur, songs no longer need backing from big labels like they used to since social media has changed the game. “People don’t care about who is backing the song anymore. Unhe gaane aur content se matlab hai, aur kisi cheez se koi farak nahin padta. Social media has brought this change in many fields, including small businesses, and the music industry too.”

Reflecting on the song’s journey, the singer also reveals, “We recorded the song almost a couple of years back. At that time, we were quite optimistic about this release. But after the whole controversy around Maharaj, we weren’t really sure if it would be able to reach people. But I am glad that the song worked out and people showed it love.”

With her versatile voice, singer Monali Thakur has definitely made a mark in Bollywood. She has received a lot of appreciation for her song Moh moh ke dhaage from Dum Laga Ke Haisha. The singer, who is nominated in the Best Playback Singer (Female) category at the Times of India Film Awards (TOIFA), talks about it. Excerpts:

How do you feel about being nominated?
I didn't even know that I was nominated; it definitely comes as a pleasant surprise to be chosen for such a prestigious award. I am delighted and I really hope I win, since we all worked very hard on the song.

How was your experience singing this song, considering it was about two protagonists trying to find love...
I was extremely excited when I heard the melody for the first time; I felt lucky, as we seldom get such rich melodies these days. In an age, where we mostly have digitally-produced sounds, purely organic music is a treat to the ears. Also, I was slightly scared if I would be able to do justice to it. I focussed on the soul of the song that involved showering love through melody and voice. Anuji (Malik) gave me absolute freedom and I recorded it when he wasn't around. To my surprise, he simply loved the way I rendered it.

Do you think your classical background helped?
I am trained in Thumri from the Patiala Gharana and my teachings definitely helped me strike a balance between the semi-classical and filmi notes, giving it a natural flow.

How did you like the lyrics of the song?
Varun (Grover) has definitely become one of my favourite lyricists. He's extremely talented and knows the art of weaving simplicity and exuberance in lyrics. I think that's what beautiful writing is all about.

Dentist-turned singer and actor Meiyang Chang, who is currently seen on the reality show FFear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi — Darr Ka Blockbuster Returns, says that it is one of the most difficult shows. “The stunts are tough, scary and stressful. The dangerous acts may give rude jhatkas to the mind and body, but they make you disciplined,“ he adds.

Chang, who won Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa four years ago, started his career with Indian Idol in 2007, in which he was among the top five. Says he, “That Chang was an entirely different person. I had just completed my studies and briefly practised dentistry, after which I decided to try my hand at, singing. I have come a long way since then, and have evolved both as a person as well as an artiste.“

Ask Chang about his current relationship status, and what went wrong between him and singer Monali Thakur, and he replies, “I am single and have no plans of marrying in the near future. Sometimes, it happens that both are not compatible, and hence, they drift apart. We continue to be friends and even party together, which proves that there are no hard feelings. Both of us are busy with our own lives. “

Are reality shows as wonderful as they seem? Sure, they could catapult any talented person — no matter the economic strata or region they come from — to a world of fame and opportunities. But look closely and there is an ugly underbelly to the whole ride.

Take for instance, Monali Thakur who, despite tasting success in the show, Indian Idol, had to struggle before finding her space in Bollywood. Some reality show winners share their personal experiences with hitlist....

The pros of taking part in a reality show:
>> The most ordinary person, who can never imagine getting in touch with the people who matter, can now dream of making it big through these reality shows.
>> Regardless of the person getting opportunities, winning these shows or getting through some crucial rounds boosts their confidence and validates their talent.
>> If they win, these reality show contestants might enjoy popularity at least for a year or so. If they are lucky, their popularity could last longer and it might fetch them more opportunities.

The cons:
>> Reality show contestants, especially the winners, might get disillusioned when soon after their win, the attention shifts to the winner of the next season. The limelight being taken away from them doesn’t agree with many young people.
>> Some contestants might get disappointed as they harbour false hopes that once they win the contest, their future is set for good.


VJ Andy
Reality show: He participated in Bigg Boss.
Quote unquote: “I would say that doing reality shows opens up new avenues for your career. Besides, I am now learning new things about myself — like the way I am and the way I want to represent myself. Also, it pays you well financially. Reality shows have helped my career in many ways. One of the cons is that people think they know you well which is not always true. Some people know you and some don’t. Also, many people don’t know how much hard work one has to do, how many hours one has to put in. I would like to finally say that reality shows have always reaped benefits for me and I hope Jhalak also work in my favour.”

Meiyang Chang
Reality show: He participated in Indian Idol and won Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa.
Quote unquote: “The pros of being a reality show contestant are many! If you’re a newcomer, it gives you an unmatched platform to display and hone your skills, as well as pick up new ones (in my case, hosting and dancing). The global reach of television is unparalleled and that explains how a dentist like me got the opportunity to show off my singing skills and pursue my passion as a career rather than let it stagnate as a hobby. Reality shows are a great stepping-stone to the entertainment world and they get you noticed for the right job - I landed a role in the film, Badmaash Company, when the director saw me on a reality show. The cons of being a reality show contestant are few; then again, reality shows are well capable of creating their own monsters.”


Rajiv Laxman
Reality show: He participated in Indian Idol and was one of the presenters of MTV Roadies.
Quote unquote: “Despite what other reality show contestants might want to believe, I don't look at reality shows as launchpads for an acting career. Not everyone has the charisma, talent, or drive to make it big in the glamour world. At best, reality shows give you some degree of familiarity with the audience. Everyone comes with big hopes, but only someone who has the discipline, determination and the acting talent has a good chance of succeeding.”


Rahul Vaidya
Reality show: Second runner-up in Indian Idol.
Quote unquote: “I don’t see any cons of reality shows. With more singers cropping up these days, their career tenure in the current scenario will be shorter than that of singers from the earlier days. Nowadays, a person hailing from a small town can get this exposure just because of reality shows. I’m really happy to see new talent get its due.”