When outstanding English musician Steven Wilson’s India tour was announced, fans in Hyderabad eagerly waited to see if their city would make the cut — only to be disappointed. This has become an all-too-familiar scenario — Hyderabad is being increasingly sidelined in the live music circuit.
Wilson, best known as the founder, lead vocalist, and guitarist of the progressive rock band Porcupine Tree, has a strong international following and is also a key figure in other projects like Blackfield and Storm Corrosion. And Hyderabad obviously didn’t measure up as a possible venue for his shows.
No longer a vivacious hub for international acts, the city finds itself eclipsed by Mumbai and Bangalore, which continue to draw big tours with their well-established venues and solid fan bases. Despite a flourishing indie scene and a devoted audience, its lack of large-scale venues, sky-high ticket prices and logistical shortcomings make Hyderabad a less viable stop for global artists.
“Back in the day, you could catch Bryan Adams on a weekend,” reflects Siddharth Bhargav, founder of the Independent Music Platform (IMP). “Now, we’re lucky if we even hear about an international tour passing through.”
The rising cost of concert tickets is a major hurdle. Where once fans could catch a good show for `3,000, prices have now escalated. Rs 10,000 or more, pushing live music into exclusivity. For many, it’s no longer about enjoying music; it’s about who can afford the experience.
“Now, when tickets are Rs 15,000, I start questioning whether it’s worth it. Sometimes, the hype makes me skip it altogether,” shares Abhik Ray, a dedicated concert-goer.
The challenge goes beyond pricing. Hyderabad’s infrastructure is simply not equipped to host major international acts. “It’s not about demand; it’s about the lack of an ecosystem to support it,” Siddharth explains. “We just don’t have the venues that can accommodate international tours.”
“We have great spots for smaller shows, but we don’t have places that can comfortably accommodate 5,000-10,000 people for major acts,” BENDI, an artist involved in Hyderabad’s indie scene, explains. “Without these venues, it’s hard for the city to attract top-tier events.”
While international tours seem out of reach, venues like EXT continue to showcase local and indie talent, ensuring that live music remains accessible. However, this doesn’t erase the lingering sense that Hyderabad is lagging in terms of attracting the big acts. It has led to a situation where fans are forced to travel elsewhere for their favourite shows. “I once flew to Meghalaya for a gig despite two broken legs,” reveals Abhik.
BENDI tells us that audiences in the city have always leaned more toward electronic and regional acts. “We see a lot more excitement for artists like Ben Bohmer or Diljit Dosanjh. When it comes to rock or pop, we’re just not as diverse in our preferences,” he says. For many international acts, this narrow focus can be a deterrent. “It didn’t surprise me to see Steven Wilson skip Hyderabad. It’s usually the other way around — it’s surprising when a non-electronic international act decides to stop here.”
The preference for electronic and regional music could explain why event organisers might skip Hyderabad. “When you’re on a world tour, you pick cities with proven audiences,” says Sai Shekar, creative content specialist and freelance concert photographer.
However, this does not signal a permanent block. “Give it a few years, and we’ll catch up,” says Sharath Narayan, musician behind ‘Thathalithen’ and several other tracks. “We’re in the process of building something bigger, and people are moving here. The audience is growing, and as the scene matures, so will the infrastructure.”
BENDI is optimistic. “We’re seeing more international acts coming to the city now, and as the live music scene matures, prices should come down,” he says. “The infrastructure is improving, and the audience is here. We just need the right setup.” For local talent too, the situation is tricky. While indie shows at venues like Quake and Warehouse81 offer affordable tickets, many local events still struggle to sell out. “The scene here is strong, but it’s tough when audiences aren’t showing up for local acts,” says BENDI.
