Coldplay’s long-awaited Mumbai concerts, held on January 18th, 19th and 21st, promised to be a monumental event for fans of the global band, who had eagerly awaited their chance to see them perform live in India. The concerts at the D. Y. Patil Stadium were expected to be a showcase of Coldplay’s iconic sound and energy, but instead, they became a series of frustrating missteps for attendees, all stemming from issues with ticket sales, access and concert amenities.
The event was powered by BookMyShow (BMS), India’s leading entertainment ticketing platform, which played a pivotal role in organizing and selling tickets for the concerts. Despite Coldplay’s stellar performance, which left fans in awe, the logistical and operational failures by BMS overshadowed the experience for many. From ticketing glitches to problems with wristbands, food, hydration, and overall miscommunication, the issues raised serious questions about the professionalism of BMS, leaving a trail of discontent in its wake.
The Ticketing Fiasco
The troubles began long before the concerts even started. On September 22, 2024, BMS opened the first round of ticket sales for the concerts scheduled on January 18th and 19th. Later that same day, a third show on January 21st was added. However, minutes before the sales were set to go live at 12 p.m., several users reported being logged out of their BookMyShow accounts, unable to log back in despite repeated attempts. For many, these 10-15 minutes of downtime meant missing out on tickets entirely. By the time they finally regained access, their position in the queue had skyrocketed to the lakhs, with some even finding themselves at the back of a 999999+ queue. This left many unable to secure tickets, and by the time they could even try, all the tickets for the shows had already been sold out.
Things took a further turn for the worse when resale platforms like Viagogo began listing Coldplay tickets at exorbitant prices, some going for five to ten times the original ticket price. How could these tickets be available for resale if they were already sold out? The public’s trust in BMS began to wane, with many questioning the platform’s credibility and fairness.
In another frustrating twist, on January 11th, BMS announced via social media that “limited tickets” would be released for all Mumbai shows at 4 p.m. that same day. However, these too sold out almost immediately. On January 17th, a further shocking development occurred: around 5 a.m., more tickets for previously “sold-out” sections became available for purchase. Fans who were vigilant and online at the right time managed to grab these elusive tickets, which were reportedly available for a couple of hours. But the key question remains: How were more tickets added for shows that were already sold out not once, but twice? The lack of transparency from BMS only added to the frustration.
Wristbands and Payment Woes
Once concertgoers arrived at the venue, they encountered even more issues. To gain entry and make purchases inside, attendees were issued NFC-enabled wristbands with QR codes. These wristbands were used not only for entry but also for in-venue purchases, including food, beverages and merchandise.
Fans could load funds onto their wristbands using UPI or card payments by scanning the QR code. Alternatively, inside the venue, attendees had the option to top up their wristbands using UPI, cards, or cash at designated top-up counters, with a minimum first top-up amount of Rs. 500. And any amount loaded on the wristbands was non-refundable and non-transferable. However, many attendees discovered that the funds they had loaded onto their wristbands were not reflected, causing chaos at entry points.
Despite instructions to visit “top-up counters” to activate their bands, many fans still found themselves unable to make any purchases inside the stadium. Some were promised that their issues would be resolved with refunds by the following day. Yet, those refunds never materialized. As if this wasn’t enough, many attendees reported that even when they topped up their bands with additional funds, the new balance didn’t reflect, and some bands worked at some counters but not others, causing further confusion.
Subpar F&B and Price Gouging
Inside the venue, the food and beverage experience was far from enjoyable. Vendors like Domino’s, Subway, Faasos, Burger King, and Hocco Ice Cream were offering food at exorbitant prices, with questionable quality. For example, a Domino’s Margherita pizza, which typically sells for Rs. 109, was being sold for Rs. 400, a basic Subway sandwich also retailed for Rs. 400, while fries and shakes at Burger King went for Rs. 250 each. But the real trouble started when concertgoers were left without food altogether.
Although BMS communicated that top-up and food counters would remain open until 10:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. respectively, concertgoers were blindsided when the police refused to allow vendors to continue selling food after the concert ended at 10 p.m. This was reportedly due to a miscommunication between BMS and local authorities. As a result, attendees who had loaded funds onto their wristbands expecting to use them after the show found their balances lapsed with no recourse.
The Final Blow: The Outside Vendors’ Bargain
After the chaos on January 18th, BMS attempted to correct the issues for the remaining shows on January 19th and 21st by posting revised closing timings for the top-up counters and F&B counters at 9 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., respectively. But it was clear that many fans had already lost trust in the system. Outside the venue, vendors selling food at much lower prices (compared to the inflated rates inside) began offering the same products that were available inside, sometimes at up to half the price. For example, a Subway sandwich that cost Rs. 400 inside the venue was available for Rs. 250 from street vendors outside. Attendees who still had funds on their wristbands, desperate to salvage their experience, often bargained for even better deals.
Was This the Experience Fans Deserved?
It’s clear that the event was meant to be a grand spectacle, but BMS’s mishandling of ticket sales, payment systems, food distribution, and communication left many fans with a sour experience. Fans had invested time, energy, and money into securing tickets for a once-in-a-lifetime event, only to find themselves facing numerous obstacles. The lack of communication and accountability from BookMyShow only added fuel to the fire.
One can’t help but ask: How could a company of BookMyShow’s stature allow such a major event to be marred by these blunders? Fans, who spent significant amounts on tickets, travel, and food, deserved better. And the lasting question remains: Who will be held accountable for the many disappointments that plagued Coldplay’s Mumbai concerts?
Social media has been flooded with discontented posts from fans who shared their struggles with ticketing issues, wristband failures, and overpriced food. The emotional toll on fans is evident. What should have been a joyous celebration turned into a battle with logistical hurdles. How does BMS plan to rebuild trust after this debacle?
But Despite Everything, Coldplay Was the Star
While BookMyShow’s numerous errors left fans feeling betrayed, there’s one thing that remained untouched: the music. Coldplay’s performances were nothing short of magical. As the band took the stage, the energy in the D. Y. Patil Stadium was palpable. The crowd sang along, danced, and truly basked in the unforgettable experience that only Coldplay can deliver. Fans, despite the frustration, were eager to welcome the band with open arms.
Countless concertgoers took to social media to express their overwhelming gratitude for the band’s performance. It was clear that while the organizational chaos left much to be desired, the love and admiration for Coldplay remained unwavering.
Indian fans have made it abundantly clear that they want Coldplay to keep coming back to India, with posts flooding social media platforms thanking the band for an unforgettable night. If anything, the experience has ignited a renewed desire for the band to perform in India more frequently. It’s a testament to Coldplay’s immense popularity in the country, and despite BookMyShow’s shortcomings, their love for the band remains unmatched.
As BookMyShow faces mounting criticism, the big question remains: Will the platform take accountability for its failures, or will these blunders become a recurring theme in India’s concert landscape?
