India's concert scene grows, but accessibility still remains a concern

It is an interesting age for live music. "Concert economy" is a buzzword for governments and tourism boards across Asia, looking to attract domestic and overseas fans

One worries a bit whenever aging punk rock stars perform. Wouldn’t the passage of time have taken the edge off their teenage anthems, softened their kohl-lined scowls, and blunted their spiky hairstyles? It was easy to question whether Green Day, in their 50s now and playing at the recent Lollapalooza India 2025, would sell angst as convincingly as when they first belted out “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” and “American Idiot”.

 

As it turned out, the band’s pet themes of urban alienation and problems with authority are still relevant two decades later. Even with restrained pogo-stick jumping and a slightly predictable