How Bhubaneswar and Cuttack fans battled online queues for Coldplay's 2025 Mumbai concert tickets

Bhubaneswar: In the digital age, nothing brings out the determination of music fans quite like the race for concert tickets. When British rock giants Coldplay announced their Mumbai show for January 2025 as part of their "Music of the Spheres" world tour, it sent shockwaves through India's music scene. But perhaps nowhere was the excitement more palpable than in the twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, where fans were in a virtual battle to secure their golden tickets.

News7 talked to some netizens from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack to shed light on their online battle for scoring tickets.

The Great Digital Queue

As the clock struck 12 PM on the eventful day of the ticket launch, thousands of Odisha netizens found themselves in a familiar yet frustrating situation: stuck in an endless online queue. Priya Mishra, a 28-year-old software engineer from Bhubaneswar, recounts her experience: "I had three devices open – my laptop, phone, and tablet. It felt like I was preparing for a war!"

The BookMyShow server, buckling under the pressure of countless refresh attempts, became the battlefield where dreams were made and shattered. Arun Pattnaik, a college student from Cuttack, lamented, "I waited for four hours, only to see the dreaded 'Sold Out' message. It was heartbreaking."

The Lucky Few

But amidst the digital chaos, some emerged victorious. Sneha Dash, a 32-year-old marketing executive, attributes her success to strategy and a bit of luck. "I joined a Coldplay fan group on WhatsApp where we shared tips. Someone suggested using a VPN to bypass the queue. It worked like magic!" Dash managed to snag two premium tickets within the first hour of sales.

For Rohan Mohanty, a 25-year-old graphic designer, it was old-school teamwork that did the trick. "My friends and I formed a 'ticket task force.' We divided responsibilities – some handled the queue, others kept track of ticket categories. When one of us got through, we bought tickets for the whole group."

The Aftermath

As news of the sold-out show spread, social media exploded with a mix of jubilant posts and desperate pleas. The hashtag #ColdplayBhubaneswar trended briefly, showcasing the city's unexpected passion for the British band.

Local music promoter Amit Sharma noted the phenomenon: "It's amazing to see such enthusiasm from Odisha. This could be a wake-up call for big artists to consider Eastern India for their tours."

The Journey Ahead

For the lucky ticket holders, the adventure is just beginning. Many, like Sneha Dash, are already planning their Mumbai trip. "I've never been to Mumbai, so this is going to be epic. Coldplay and a new city – talk about an adventure!"

Others are getting creative with their travel plans. Bhubaneswar-based travel blogger Rahul Sahu is organizing a "Coldplay Express" – a group trip by train from Bhubaneswar to Mumbai. "We're turning the journey into part of the experience. Imagine a train full of Coldplay fans singing 'Yellow' as we cross state borders!"

The Unlucky Ones

Not everyone's story has a happy ending. Disheartened fans like Arun are exploring alternatives. "I'm considering watching a live stream if they offer one. It's not the same, but it's better than missing out completely."

Some are turning to the resale market, despite warnings from organizers about inflated prices and potential scams. Priya Mishra cautions, "I've seen tickets being resold for five times the original price. It's tempting, but risky."

Looking Ahead

The Coldplay ticket frenzy has sparked conversations about the need for more equitable ticket distribution systems and the potential for bringing major international acts to Eastern India.

Local musician Debasish Panda sees a silver lining: "This shows that there's a massive untapped market here. Maybe next time, instead of us going to Mumbai, we can bring Coldplay to Bhubaneswar!"

As January 2025 approaches, the excitement in Bhubaneswar and Cuttack continues to build. For those making the journey to Mumbai, it promises to be the adventure of a lifetime. And for those left behind? Well, there's always the hope that Chris Martin and co. might just add an Odisha date to their next tour.

In the end, whether you're holding a golden ticket or not, one thing's for sure – the day Coldplay tickets went on sale will be remembered as the day Bhubaneswar and Cuttack proved they could rock with the best of them.