Fans were ecstatic when Diljit Dosanjh announced the dates for his Dil-luminati tour in India. The ticket sales went live at 1 PM on September 12 but within seconds, they were sold out. What’s worse is that the tickets were being sold at an exorbitant price, making it difficult for middle-class fans to swipe their cards.
In certain cities, the prices ranged from Rs 20,000 to Rs 25,000 and many fans were left questioning why a concert ticket was suddenly as expensive as a small luxury. This sparked a heated debate online, with some praising the star power of Diljit Dosanjh, while others, like content creator Saumya Sahni, openly criticized the pricing.
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Saumya Sahni took to Instagram to express her frustration, pointing out that many Indian fans are struggling financially due to unemployment and stagnant wages.
“No Indian artist should charge Rs 20-25 thousand for one concert in India when they are playing in so many cities. They can do more sets in each city because your audience has no money or employment and limited means of entertainment,” she argued.
She went on to add, “To see someone like him sing in our language means a lot but middle-class people have no access to him. Kids and families could have gone to his concert. He makes so much money with his overseas shows that he could have been more considerate towards his fans in India and charged a little less.”
Have a look at her video here:
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This raises a larger question – should artists make their concerts more affordable, especially in countries where the majority of their fan base may not have deep pockets?
While it’s easy to blame the artist for the high prices, the reality is that many factors contribute to ticket costs. Event management companies, ticket-selling platforms, venue fees, production costs, and middlemen all take a cut. This drives up the final ticket price that fans see. So, while Diljit might not have complete control over the final pricing, he is the face of the event and naturally gets the blame.
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Platforms like BookMyShow or Paytm Insider charge service fees, event organizers have to cover the costs of the stage setup, sound systems, lighting, and even security. On top of that, the artist’s team, including managers, dancers, and musicians, all need to be paid. All of these costs add up.
In India, ticket-selling platforms have a major role in determining prices, often using dynamic pricing models, where tickets become more expensive as demand increases. This strategy might benefit organizers but leaves loyal fans in a bind.
Can artists make concert ticket prices affordable?
Internationally, artists like Ed Sheeran and Bruce Springsteen have actively pushed for lower ticket prices or fought against ticket scalping to ensure their fans don’t have to pay outrageous amounts. Sheeran, for example, capped his ticket prices during his Divide Tour to prevent resale and keep his concerts accessible.
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On the flip side, some artists have openly admitted that their concerts are expensive because they want to offer a high-quality experience. Beyoncé’s Renaissance Tour is known for its grand production, with high-end visuals, intricate choreography, and stunning stage setups. Artists like her argue that such an experience comes with a higher cost.
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In India, few artists have taken a firm stand on keeping ticket prices low. However, independent musicians and smaller-scale performers often offer more affordable shows. But when it comes to big names like Diljit Dosanjh, the costs involved in production are much higher.
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For now, the debate continues. Should artists focus on accessibility, or are the high prices just a part of the game in today’s concert industry?