'Who Can Spend So Much?', Chetan Bhagat, Ashneer Grover Engaged In Verbal Spat Over Coldplay Ticket Price

British Rock legends Coldplay were back in India after a gap of nine long years. Their 'Music of the Spheres' World Tour has excited many, but the majority of fans are disappointed after missing out on tickets due to the sky-rocketing demand. Tickets for three dates of the British rock legends' show went up in a flash, and fans are now left scanning the dark skies for a glimpse of the seemingly elusive event. At that time, prices were starting from ₹2,500 to ₹35,000, while currently resell websites are listing tickets for up to ₹3 lakh. This has caused a huge debate online, as author Chetan Bhagat and businessman Ashneer Grover raised their voice regarding the situation.

Fans waited in line for hours on the virtual ticketing line to grab tickets for Coldplay's three-day event in Mumbai on January 18, 19, and 21, 2024. Resell sites have started selling tickets at an outrageous price, with the minimum beginning at ₹38,000, which went all the way up to ₹7.7 lakh.

The Ticket Price Debate: Is It Worth It?
Huge prices of Coldplay tickets have, ironically, become a social media debating point, and many have almost debated if the tickets are worth it at all. Chetan Bhagat, whose books run in hordes, wasn't behind and took to social media to deliver his verdict. He termed the madness over the tickets as "YOLO logic" You Only Live Once - and commented that the prices of concert tickets are far from the average take-home pay in India.

Bhagat wrote on X (formerly Twitter), "On one hand, data on Indian salaries is available, and on the other hand, we have almost gone a little maniacal about concert tickets. Who is paying this much for these tickets? Does this constitute a sort of YOLO thinking? "

Ticket Craze By Ashneer Grover
Ashneer Grover, co-founder of BharatPe, who was responding to Bhagat's remark said he wasn't surprised by the demand for tickets. He said India is a big country comprising both the poor and the rich; therefore, it wouldn't surprise him that an 80,000-seat stadium sold out. Several students can shell out crores of rupees to pursue education abroad, so one must realize that people can shell out money on experiences such as concerts, he added.

It’s a large country - and lot is disparity on either end - why is filling of 80k stadium surprising anyone ? 800k students go overseas every year - spending $50K on an average. Also now that most people who can afford have phones - things will fill up instantly as well.

— Ashneer Grover (@Ashneer_Grover) September 22, 2024

Grover said, "India is a big country with huge income differences. Why would filling up an 80,000-seat stadium be a surprise? Each year, 800,000 students emigrate abroad, spending an average of $50,000. Now that so many have mobile phones, it sells out. It's because so many have mobile phones.

Public Reaction: Is it Worth the Money?
Grover and Bhagat's comments have sparked more debates online. Some agreed with Bhagat, saying that the big gap in India is in terms of income. "There are two types of people- those who can spend a lot, and those who are struggling to care for their families. The gap between these two is growing fast."

Others have argued that shelling out so much for a concert is only for temporary fun, not like investing in educational or useful things. "Attending a Coldplay concert is just a quick thrill with flashing lights and loud music. Is it really worth it?" a user replied.

Concert Mania In India
The tickets to Coldplay's concert were in hot demand, coming just a few weeks after those to Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh's Dil-Illuminati tour sold out fast. That speaks volumes to how Indian fans are eager to attend live concerts, even at a cost.

Another great criticism that came up from the ticket sale platform, BookMyShow, which sells tickets to attend the show Coldplay, has raised much criticism regarding the unresponsiveness of the site in handling the number of buyers. It also warned people against purchasing tickets from resell platforms due to the uncertainty of guaranteed entry.

The debates rage over ticket prices and income gaps in India even as the date for Coldplay concerts in Mumbai draws near. Many fans missed tickets, but the rest have a hard time deciding just how much they are willing to shell out to catch their favorite band live.