Best International Musicians Who Have Played In India
Here is the list of international musicians who have played in India.
Many famous worldwide performers have graced India with their presence, wowing the crowd with their performances. The Indian stage has featured a wide range of talent, from renowned pop performers to legendary rock bands, promoting a strong bond of global artists in Indian music scene. These performances demonstrate how music is universal and cuts across boundaries. Famous foreign performers have visited India, performing at events like Lollapalooza and Magnetic Fields Music Festival. These performers, who included 50 Cent and other international superstars, lit the stage on fire and left a lasting impression. For those who were unable to attend, we have compiled a compilation of their songs that will instantly immerse you in the lively ambiance of a music festival. Prepare to be mesmerised by the allure of these international musicians performing in India.
Here is the list of popular overseas musicians in India:
• Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber, one of the biggest names in pop music, mesmerised desi crowds once before. During his 'Purpose' tour, he performed at Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium in December 2017. Fans came from all over the country to see the global artists in Indian music scene perform live. The stadium was buzzing with excitement as Justin Bieber performed, his voice and captivating stage presence. For those who were lucky enough to attend, the concert became a landmark occasion in the history of Indian music. The concert by Justin Bieber proved the lasting appeal of foreign performers in the Indian music industry.
• 50 Cent
You can’t forget 50 Cent’s tour from last year if you’re thinking about foreign musicians touring India. If you're not a member of Gen Z or have been living under a rock, then you've probably grown up loving Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson, better known as just 50 Cent. As part of his Final Lap Tour, the American rapper, who is widely regarded as an inspiration and force in hip-hop, made his long-awaited 15-year comeback to India. He performed at Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium. The occasion also commemorated the 20th anniversary of Get Rich or Die Tryin, 50 Cent's breakout record that launched his ascent to fame. In Da Club, the album's biggest song, is still played a lot and is a staple on practically every birthday playlist.
• Rihanna
Rihanna tops the list of top international acts in India. Pop sensation Rihanna lit up the stage with her incredible performance on March 1 during Anant Ambani and Radhika Merchant's pre-wedding celebrations in Jamnagar. The artist performed for the first time in India. Following the performance, the pop icon and her friend Melissa Forde went live on Instagram, where the pop icon talked about her quick departure and expressed her love for India.
• Wiz Khalifa
Up next in foreign musicians touring India, is Wiz Khalifa. In 2019, the Grammy-nominated rapper and vocalist headlined a gig in Mumbai's Jio Gardens, Sunburn Arena. Prior to the highly anticipated Mumbai gig, the rapper started his tour in the nation by performing in Noida, where he got the crowd to groove to his songs.
• Westlife
In May, the well-known boy band Backstreet Boys played to packed houses in Delhi and Mumbai, giving everyone a serious case of nostalgia. Another well-known boy band traveled to India and transported us back in time. Including some of its classic singles like World of Our Own (2001), My Love (2000), and You Raise Me Up (2005), Westlife brought their The Wild Dreams Tour to India. The tour's India leg began on November 24, 2023 at Mumbai's Mahalaxmi Racecourse, Bengaluru's Embassy International Riding School Ground on November 25, and concluded on November 26 at Delhi's Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.
• Dua Lipa
Just before the pandemic, Dua Lipa captivated Mumbai audiences with her unique stage presence with her thrilling performances as a highlight of the One Plus Music Festival. This was Dua Lipa's first performance in India, and it was a historic event held in the bustling city of dreams. Fans from all over the nation flocked to see the British pop sensation deliver hit after hit, bringing her contagious energy to the Indian music industry. Dua Lipa's outstanding performance elevated the status of foreign singers visiting India by adding her to the list of elite international entertainers.
• Ed Sheeran
Indian music fans were treated to yet another incredible performance by a global phenomenon. The crooner behind ‘Perfect,’ Ed Sheeran, wowed crowds in November that year. He captivated the audience with his chart-topping melodies while wearing a classic blue kurta, inspiring sentiments of passion and nostalgia. But it was the star-studded Bollywood party hosted in his honor that grabbed the attention. The event, which was attended by the elite in the industry, was lively with excitement as stars interacted with the well-liked singer. In addition to making fans happy, Ed Sheeran's visit strengthened the relationship between international musicians and the Indian music industry.
• Marshmello
At the Sunburn Holi Tour, electronic DJ Marshmello enthralled his fans. The Grammy-nominated producer's India Tour began in Bengaluru on March 22 and concluded in Pune on March 25. Other stops on the tour included New Delhi on March 23, Mumbai on March 24, and Bengaluru on March 25. The well-known musician played his most recent songs, Movement, Ceremony, and No Man's Land, in his set. He has a devoted fan base of EDM music in the nation.
• Cold Play
Coldplay did a concert for Global Citizen, who arranged the Global Citizen Festival in India through their Global Poverty Project, for their first performance in India in 2016. Additionally, entrance to the concert featuring renowned international artists was free of charge; attendees had to "earn" their passes by performing good deeds!
• U2
On December 15, 2019, U2 gave a performance in Mumbai's DY Patil Stadium. The concert was notable since it marked the band's last chance to play their hit album nonstop for the foreseeable future. It was also the band's last performance of the ‘Joshua Tree 2019” tour.
• Deep Purple
One of the last examples of the classic rock and roll era still standing, at least for the younger generation of rock fans, is Deep Purple. After an absence of 17 years, the British group that popularised contemporary hard rock made a comeback to the nation. And, incidentally, on December 17 in Bengaluru, was the main act at the first-ever Bandland Festival in India.
• Metallica
When Metallica performed live in India for the first time fans celebrated. The legendary group arrived in Bengaluru and thrilled the enthusiastic audiences with their powerful heavy metal hits. Thrashing and headbanging to every riff and percussion, spectators were enthralled with Metallica's explosive intensity during their performance in the heart of IT metropolis. For those who were fortunate enough to witness Metallica's raw, unadulterated power live, the concert was a watershed point in the history of Indian music and left an enduring impression.
• Cigarettes After Sex
The American dream pop, shoegaze, and ambient pop group Cigarettes After Sex has played to sold-out audiences in India on several occasions. They made their debut as the main act at the Bacardi NH7 Weekender in Pune in 2017. Later that July, 2019, they gave two performances at the Royal Opera House in Mumbai.
• Katy Perry
One of the most well-known pop artists around the world, Katy Perry has made several trips to India. Among the foreign performers who have graced this stage is hers; during her 2019 visit for the One Plus Music Festival, she enthralled audiences with her classics, including Firework and Roar.
• Enrique Iglesias
You most likely grew up listening to Enrique, and songs like ‘Hero’ are what you think of when you think of romance. It makes sense that Iglesias has performed in India on several occasions, most notably in 2004 and 2012, when he enthralled the audiences with his songs, given his enormous fan base there!
Bottom Line
The arrival of most streamed artists in India has improved ties across cultures while also enhancing the country's music landscape. Every performance of popular overseas musicians in India, from pop sensations like Justin Bieber and Katy Perry to iconic rock bands like Metallica, has left an enduring impression on Indian audiences. These global artists in Indian music scene highlight how popular music is everywhere and how cross-border it can be. More amazing concerts by well-known international musicians are something we eagerly anticipate as the Indian music industry continues to flourish. For the most recent information and unvarnished coverage of the best International Indian festivals, keep an eye on B4U Entertainment.
Stay tuned to B4U Entertainment for exclusive coverage of top international acts in India and the latest updates on the global artists in the Indian music scene.
