Goenka on Coldplay frenzy & India’s shift from ‘Roti, Kapda, Makaan’

A recent post by industrialist Harsh Goenka about the iconic British band Coldplay’s India tour has gone viral on social media. Goenka tweeted that with the recent frenzy surrounding the band’s January concerts, two Indias can be seen emerging - one is enjoying luxuries, while the other is struggling to meet basic needs. 

"Urban Indians are clearly shifting from Roti, Kapda, Makaan to a Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara," he wrote on X.

Coldplay returns to India

After a nine-year hiatus the well-loved musical band, Coldplay has signed up for the India tour as part of their Music of the Spheres World Tour set to take place in DY Patil Stadium, Mumbai on January 18 and 19, 2025. They have even launched a teaser on BookMyShow Live for their fans. 

Not just Coldplay, but Indian audiences have shown huge responses to international singers like Dua Lipa, Bryan Adams, and Diljit with massive ticket sales.

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Two Indias are visible

"Coldplay’s January 2025 shows sold out swiftly, with resale prices hitting 5x the original. Diljit’s tickets, priced at Rs 7,000 saw massive sales, as did Dua Lipa and Bryan Adams’ concerts. Two Indias are emerging—one enjoying these luxuries, while the other struggles to meet basic needs," Goenka has remarked. 

In his post, Goenka pointed out the cultural shift where urban Indians are indulging in extravagant concerts while another population is still struggling to fulfill basic requirements like food and shelter. 

Netizens react to Goenka’s post

Netizens agreed with Goenka's thought. 

"Be it IPhone 16 rush or cold play tickets, it is more of FOMO.. A small %age will actually use the iPhone16 added features. Large %age will flaunt it and put it on SM Same with Coldplay. Small %age will be there for enjoying the music. For many, it is to flaunt it on SM. Classic example of both FOMO and "living on virtual world" syndrome," a user commented.

Another one wrote, "I don’t want to miss out mindset. Be it like New Apple Phone or concert tickets, I need to get it and show off in X, Facebook, to friends etc. mindset. And Hope these tickets are not purchased by some groups to sell them in black market."

Goenka’s post can be an eye-opener to the current status of Indian economy. One group, the affluent class is splurging on luxuries and experiences without having to bother about basic amenities while another group, the economically backward class is struggling to earn everyday bread and butter. 

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