The much-anticipated Coldplay concert in India, part of their “Music of the Spheres World Tour,” faced a major hurdle on September 22, 2024, when the online ticketing platform, BookMyShow, experienced a system crash. Fans eagerly trying to secure their tickets for the British band’s Mumbai shows were left stranded as both the app and website became unresponsive moments before the sale began. The concert, set for January 18-19, 2025, at the DY Patil Sports Stadium, marks Coldplay’s return to India after an eight-year hiatus, and expectations have been sky-high.
Ticketing Chaos on BookMyShow
At noon, when tickets were supposed to go live, fans across the country rushed to BookMyShow to grab their spot at one of the most awaited concerts in recent memory. However, within seconds, the platform crashed, leaving fans in digital queues and many facing error messages. Users reported that the site remained down for over 15 minutes, with some only seeing the tickets become available after 12:18 PM. By then, frustrations had already mounted, with social media flooded with complaints.
A fan took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their frustration, tweeting, “#coldplay Mumbai concert queue is much much longer than any IPO stat.” Another user sarcastically commented, “It’s 12:23 and still shows ‘Coming Soon’ @bookmyshow you weren’t prepared.”
Social Media Outcry
Fans were quick to voice their anger on social media, with many criticizing the platform for its poor handling of the ticket sale. One user humorously noted, “#BookMyShow is down.. hey, I don’t want Coldplay, I just need a movie ticket. Do it ASAP.” Others pointed out that BookMyShow has faced similar issues before, particularly during high-demand events like the cricket World Cup. “Never understood why on earth #BookMyShow is chosen as the ticketing partner. They did mess up with World Cup tickets, and now Coldplay,” one frustrated fan wrote.
BookMyShow’s Tweet
Prior to the ticket sale, BookMyShow had tried to assure fans that the process would be smooth. They posted on X, “We heard you and want every fan to have a fair chance of getting tickets to experience the show! One user can book a maximum of 4 TICKETS across all shows!” Despite this, the platform was overwhelmed by the demand, and users were left disappointed.
Coldplay’s Return to India
Coldplay’s return to India has been highly anticipated since their 2016 performance at the Global Citizen Festival in Mumbai. The Grammy-winning band, consisting of Chris Martin, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, and Will Champion, will perform their biggest hits from their latest album Music of the Spheres, including “We Pray” and “feelslikeimfallinginlove,” alongside fan favorites such as “Yellow,” “Fix You,” and “Viva La Vida.”
Fans who missed out on tickets on September 22 will have another opportunity when a second round of tickets goes on sale on November 22, 2024. The band is also offering a limited number of “Infinity Tickets,” priced at approximately Rs 2000 per pair, allowing more fans to enjoy the concert experience together.
Spectacular Stage Show
The “Music of the Spheres World Tour” promises to be a visual spectacle. Fans can expect stunning LED displays, fireworks, and lasers that will light up the night as Coldplay performs their iconic hits. The tour, which has already sold over 10 million tickets globally, has been lauded for its impressive stage production and sustainability efforts, including recycled plastic vinyls for their upcoming album Moon Music, set to release on October 4, 2024.
Coldplay lead vocalist Chris Martin, reflecting on the album’s theme, said, “Maybe love is the best response to global conflicts.” This message of hope and unity resonates with the tour, which has taken the band across the world, including future shows in cities like Abu Dhabi, Seoul, and Hong Kong.
Despite the initial chaos surrounding ticket sales, Coldplay’s India concert remains one of the most talked-about events of 2025. While many fans were left frustrated by BookMyShow’s technical issues, there’s no doubt that Coldplay’s return will deliver an extraordinary experience filled with music, magic, and unforgettable memories. Fans who missed out on tickets this time still have a second chance in November.
