Ariana Longson
Updated on: October 16, 2024 7:24 am GMT
Fans of Coldplay are finding themselves in a frustrating battle just to catch a glimpse of their favorite band. As the British rock group gears up for three shows in Mumbai next January, ticket prices have soared to shocking heights, with some resold tickets listed at $11,000.
Coldplay’s Return to India
Coldplay is set to perform in India for the first time since 2016, as part of their Music Of The Spheres tour. The band has a massive following, and anticipation is high among fans eager to see live performances. Tickets were released by the official vendor, BookMyShow (BMS), on September 22 at noon. Yet, the process was far from smooth.
A Frustrating Experience
Many fans encountered significant hurdles when trying to purchase tickets. Reports of the website and app crashing flooded social media as fans rushed to secure their passes. When some finally got through, they faced long virtual queues with hundreds of thousands ahead of them.
- Original ticket prices ranged from 2,500 to 35,000 rupees ($30 to $417).
- Less than 10 minutes after sales started, all tickets were sold out.
- Resold tickets then appeared on various platforms costing as much as 960,000 rupees ($11,458).
This rapid resale has raised questions about fairness and transparency in the ticketing process.
Concerns Over Scalping
Many fans believe that scalpers used automated bots to snatch up tickets quickly. Amit Vyas, a lawyer from Mumbai, filed a police complaint stating that BMS facilitated access for these scalpers. “Not a single person that I know in Mumbai and outside Mumbai… no one got a ticket,” Vyas told CNN, expressing his displeasure with the system.
Police Involvement
Following public outrage, Ashish Hemjarani, the CEO of BookMyShow, has been summoned by Mumbai police’s Economic Offences Wing. According to a police official, he will be questioned about the allegations of ticket scalping. BMS has stated it has “no association” with any resellers or third-party ticket platforms.
They also mentioned filing a complaint regarding the sale of replica tickets. “Scalping is strictly condemned and punishable by law in India,” the company said in a statement.
Alternatives for Fans
Due to the high prices and frustrations with purchasing tickets, some fans have opted for alternatives.
Ishaan Jhamb, a 22-year-old engineering student from Delhi, expressed exasperation at the ticket prices. He and his friends decided to travel to Abu Dhabi for a Coldplay concert instead, as it proved to be a more budget-friendly option.
- Arkatapa Basu, a 26-year-old journalist from Bengaluru, shared her ordeal of trying to obtain tickets. After waiting behind 130,000 people, she discovered that a third show was added. But the waitlist ballooned to 700,000 people, prompting her to give up entirely.
The Bigger Picture
The challenges faced by Coldplay fans in India highlight a larger, ongoing issue with ticketing systems around the world. Similar frustrations arose recently when the band Oasis announced a reunion tour, which sparked criticism over suspected unfair pricing practices.
Major ticketing platforms, like Ticketmaster, have come under fire for their dynamic pricing model—where ticket costs adjust based on demand. While these companies argue they do not set prices, the backlash continues.
Conclusion
The uproar surrounding Coldplay’s ticket sales in India demonstrates a growing unease among concertgoers. With prices skyrocketing and frustrations mounting, fans are calling for more transparency and protection in the ticket-buying process. As concert season approaches, they hope that their voices will lead to changes that benefit true fans rather than scalpers.
To get the latest news about Coldplay’s concerts, check out CNN for helpful updates and information.
