India’s music industry is buzzing with momentum across classical, film, and live big time gaming games performance genres, and several key developments are shaping what’s coming next.
First, legendary playback singer Sonu Nigam was awarded the Lata Mangeshkar Samman Alankarn Award 2025 in Indore on September 28. The honor was conferred by the state culture department on the occasion of Lata Mangeshkar’s birth anniversary. CM Mohan Yadav praised Nigam’s decades‐long contribution to Indian music and highlighted how deeply Mangeshkar’s legacy continues to influence contemporary artists.
Another rising event is the Sunburn Festival—India’s premier EDM event—preparing to expand globally. It will debut its first overseas edition in Abu Dhabi in December 2026, marking a strategic move from a purely domestic festival brand to an international cultural exporter.
Also, the live music scene is being invigorated with big show announcements. Armaan Malik is planning a stadium spectacle in Mumbai on November 1, 2025, to celebrate his 18 years in the industry. This concert promises to blend Bollywood and pop styles, and is meant to be one of his most ambitious live performances yet.
Meanwhile, international superstar John Mayer is scheduled to perform in India for the first time on January 22, 2026, at Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Mumbai. Tickets go on sale starting October 14.
On the classical side, there is growth too: the Saadhna Festival, an all-women classical music and dance festival, is holding its 12th edition in Mumbai, offering a dedicated platform to female artists in traditional arts.
Together, these developments signal a few trends: recognition of past legends, increasing international engagement, large-scale live events, and greater inclusion in classical music. The Indian music ecosystem seems to be accelerating its global ambitions, while also deepening its domestic roots.
If you like, I can send you a rundown focused only on independent/underground music in India — more grassroots stuff.
