India promises to grow big on EDM, entertainment!

The land of multi culture, technology and neo-rich generation that is well below the age of 28–29 years on an average; is it a surprise that EDM is growing many times each year? For a country that is going through rapid urbanisation and comfortably lapping up monoculture, EDMs in India are a growing fad and how!

What’s EDM after all? The Electronic Music Dance (EDM) events are increasing on the Indian calendars and harmoniously blending into the traditional festivals that the country people celebrate. To think that India was never a great stop for international artists to perform or even accept a show in the metros of India till late, EDM scene has really grown manifold. Today, EDM is well a part of Indian psyche, and a DJ has become somewhat a necessity for every event that involves groups and entertainment.

Just about less than a decade ago, it was completely unimaginable for people to even think DJs could make a decent living and money. A country, which hinged on its traditional form of livelihood, had moved away from agriculture-based economy to urban professions that ensured economic safety such as engineering, medical or dentistry for better future. Choice of entertainment or something of performing arts turning into a career option or a way of earning livelihood was firmly ruled out. Living off entertainment was only for those who decided to take a different path.

Today, all those who took that path are minting money and reaping benefits. All thanks to the changed entertainment scene in the country. With globalisation and economic empowerment, EDMs turned into a gig that aided entertainment and socialisation. This is where the young and middle aged let their hair down and enjoyed their heart out. Though initially, they were a social outcaste, the segment gradually grew to be most potent in India.

How else do you explain the growth of EDMs in India that burst into the social scene less than a decade ago? Just about eight years ago, in 2007, the total capacity of EDM or any dance festivals in India was about a 10,000 people. Today, the number has shot up to more than 3,25,000 and it is simply growing with every passing day.

These numbers don’t even come closer to what India holds as a potential in EDM industry. In the last couple of years, some of the highest paid DJs have moved to harness the vibrant potential of this sector in India.

Home to biggest entertainment industry, India, for sure, is a land of contradictions. It isn’t easy to lay it thread bare and understand the growth. One thing is for sure, the power of new economy is something that fuels India. And it is the same economy that also keeps the fiscals in good health, despite concerns of global economic growth slowing down.

Indian markets are where the world’s entertainment industry can come to breathe. The country is a bunch of contradictions. But, it also enjoys its identity of having been a vibrant culture complete with entertainment across different regions and faiths.

Does this explain why Swedish House Mafia sold 18,000 tickets in Mumbai though they were priced at a premium of Rs 4000, which would have been enough to buy grocery for a small household?

India is shining indeed, and it isn’t too guilty about having the cake and eating it too!

Snoop Dogg’s concert in Delhi and Pune was a runaway hit, along with old loyalists clamouring all over to catch a glimpse of their favourite singer at Guns ‘N’ Roses. Carlos Santana had to make way for the newbie Tiesto.

Goa’s Sunburn festival is a mega festival that draws crowds in huge numbers. It is no more a mere shack-beach-beer-fenny place with waves splashing on its dunes that would make the tourists happy. Today, Sunburn festival gives them a place to let their hair down and dance to their heart’s content without having a care about the world. Did we say EDMs also had a therapeutic effect on people’s minds as well?

Thanks to Sunburn which started in 2007, India today feels at home with names like Avicii, Dash Berlin, Armin Van Buuren, etc., who have been the most powerful entertainers in the recent times. Soon, this event will be held in Dubai and Sri Lanka too.

The new economy and exploding night life, with Indian minds turning comfortable in their own skin, has helped the EDM scene go a long way in a culturally-strong country. This apart, no matter what the accusations of drug scenes prevailing at EDM events are; the entertainment has found a new path in the country. It is time to wake up, smell the coffee and realise its potential to harness it!

(Image: www.edmmagazine.com)