On what seemed to be an uneventful Sunday morning towards the end of September, my phone buzzed awake with a text reading: ‘We’re counting you in for the Coldplay concert.’ Little did I know, this message would send me spiraling through a whirlwind of emotions — from the thrill of anticipation to a lingering disappointment, followed by a resigned indifference. This emotional rollercoaster is a familiar ride for thousands across the country who have embarked on similar journeys with their favorite music acts. Live concerts and music festivals have emerged as monumental cultural phenomena, pulling in fans from across the globe, eager to witness live performances by worldwide sensations such as BTS, Taylor Swift, Imagine Dragons, and more. These events have become celebrated for offering not just music, but rich, unforgettable experiences.
Attending live music events, even when your knowledge of the artists or songs is limited, serves as an excellent opportunity to unearth new sounds while crafting lasting memories. As the tickets to catch Coldplay or Diljit Dosanjh have slipped through the grasp of many, there remains hope. Maroon 5 is set to make their debut performance in India, offering fans another chance to experience musical greatness. In addition, several enticing music festivals are on the horizon, inviting you to seize the opportunity and maybe, try your luck in securing tickets.
The globally renowned Lollapalooza festival will be gracing Mumbai on March 8-9, 2025. Rooted in a storied 30-year history, Lollapalooza has been a trailblazer in congregating diverse musical styles into a single lineup. Notably, it pioneered the multi-day festival experience by introducing a second stage—intertwining music with elements of art and activism. Its first two visits to India were met with resounding success, and the anticipation is high for the third edition, which was announced in September. Headlining this year will be the American punk rock band, Green Day, alongside a stellar array of 35 other artists, including Shawn Mendes, Louis Tomlinson, Humankind, and Glass Animals, taking over four stages across two vibrant days.
“Our teams labor intensely, devoting nearly a whole year to assembling the festival,” says Owen Roncon, the chief of business at BookMyShow’s live events division. “We scrutinize global touring routes to identify new sounds and pair them with the Indian audience’s tastes,” he adds, emphasizing the strategic innovation required to elevate the festival’s offerings. Highlighted is last year’s introduction of the VerTech Stage System—a cutting-edge spectacle allowing larger-than-life performances, amplifying both artists’ and audiences’ experiences.
. Constructed from all-steel with integrated towers, the stage supports up to 50 tonnes, designed for large-scale live performances. Unsurprisingly, tickets for Lollapalooza’s promising edition sold out a brisk five months before the event itself.
Scheduled for December 7-8, 2024, in Bengaluru, Echoes of the Earth is lauded as India’s most environmentally attuned music festival, now gearing up for its seventh edition. It offers a harmonious blend of genres, instruments, and cultures. Festival director, Roshan Netalkar, notes the rising tide of environmental consciousness among younger generations, saying, “We cater to an expanding community of eco-conscious music lovers, and our numbers grow each year. This year’s theme, Symphony of Seasons, divides festival grounds into zones that reflect the emotive essence of each season. Art installations express this through a symphony of innovative, waste-to-art design, including a community-crafted bee sanctuary built from sustainable materials such as cork and reclaimed wood.
Rajasthan’s own Magnetic Fields festival, occurring from December 6-8, 2024, is a celebration of music discovery. This eclectic festival features groundbreaking electronic music and art, set amidst the gilded sands of Alsisar. Its tenth anniversary will transform palatial venues and desert vistas into stages where over 40 acts, including Ecuadorian producer Nicola Cruz and German-Italian composer David August, will mesmerize audiences. Co-founder Munbir Chawla shares, “While the lineup draws attendees, it’s the unique experience that makes our festival truly sell out.”
A rising name, Bandlands, will storm Bengaluru from November 23-24, unleashing metal and rock rhythms. The sophomore edition promises dynamic performances from top international and Indian artists, featuring Avenged Sevenfold and Extreme as headliners among 14 diverse acts. Chief planner Owen Roncon reflects on the community aspect of such festivals, noting how a majority of solo attendees leave with a network forged through mutual love for unadulterated, electrifying music.
Finally, Shillong’s Cherry Blossom festival on November 15-16 celebrates not only the blushing winter blooms but the regional passion for music. This year’s theme, centered on legends, oversees performances by international stars like Akon, timeless disco ensemble Boney M, and Dutch-Moroccan DJ R3HAB, promising a memorable mélange of cultures.
With such a robust lineup of music festivals across India, adventure awaits for those swift and lucky enough to snag tickets. Best of luck as you seek out your musical escapade!
