After ColdplayGate Chaos, New CEO Pleads For 'Trust' In Viral Statement
/ Jul 22, 2025, 05:02PM IST
After a steamy kiss-cam moment at a Coldplay concert exposed CEO Andy Byron and HR head Kristin Cabot getting cozy, the fallout was swift and explosive. Byron quietly stepped down from Astronomer amid the viral chaos, making way for co-founder Pete DeJoy to take over. On his first day, DeJoy called the media circus 'surreal' but admitted the scandal had made Astronomer a 'household name.' In a bold statement, he reminded everyone, 'The mission is bigger than any one moment,' vowing to shield the company's future. The ColdplayGate moment lit up the internet, as fans zeroed in on the unexpected public romance that launched a corporate storm.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
India's Concert Boom Could Create 12 Million Jobs by 2032, But Are We Ready?
India's live concert scene isn't just about big stages, big sound, and even bigger crowds anymore. It's now powering something far more significant: jobs. And lots of them. A report by NLB Services, a global digital talent solutions provider, states that India's fast-growing concert economy could generate nearly 12 million temporary jobs by 2032, transforming not only entertainment, but also employment and economic growth, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. With over 100 large-scale concerts expected every year from stadium-sized gigs to regional festivals there's a quiet revolution underway. One that's changing how young India works, moves, and makes money. The Real Action? Not Just in Metros Yes, cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru still get the headliners. But it's places such as Jaipur, Kochi, Shillong, Indore, and Lucknow that are stepping into the spotlight. The reasons? A young population, rising aspirations, better connectivity, and brands eager to engage smaller markets. It's no longer just about bringing big artists to big venues, it's about building experiences where the demand is. Every Concert = Thousands Of Jobs Each major concert can open up 15,000 to 20,000 temporary gigs. That includes roles in logistics, stage production, crowd management, hospitality, food and beverages, artist handling, content creation, and digital marketing. There's work for everyone from freelancers and emcees to sound engineers, drone operators, social media managers, and production leads. Many of these are short-term contracts, but a growing number are turning into full-time careers, especially in sound tech, digital strategy, and event production. Big Shows = Big Money When Coldplay played Ahmedabad in 2024, the ripple effect was massive. The concert added Rs 641 crore to the local economy, including Rs 72 crore in GST. Hotels were booked out. Flights saw a 300% jump. Even street food vendors saw record sales. Punjabi singing sensation Diljit Dosanjh's Dil-Luminati India Tour 2024 achieved massive success with his two-month nationwide trek. The Dil-Luminati Tour significantly boosted local economies, generating USD 112 million across 13 cities. Like Coldplay's global shows, his concerts sparked a rise in tourism, retail, and hospitality, drawing over 107,000 out-of-town visitors. Diljit Dosanjh's tour created around 5,300 jobs and brought in USD 13 million in tax revenue, making it a clear example of how large-scale music events can drive real economic impact. Every major concert weekend now drives a festive-season-level economic surge boosting tourism, transportation, retail, and local businesses. There's A Flip Side The talent crunch is deepening. From lighting design and live production to sound engineering and rigging, India simply doesn't have enough trained professionals. The same goes for digital event experts, content creators, social media strategists, and ticketing tech leads. The report by NLB Services flags the urgent need to invest in skilling, especially beyond the big cities. As the industry formalises, the demand for certified, event-savvy professionals will only rise. Backed by a Bigger Vision Prime Minister Narendra Modi had spoken about the potential of the concert economy at Odisha Conclave 2025, around Coldplay's India tour. "Today, the concert economy sector is also growing in India. A country which has such a huge legacy of music, dance, and storytelling, India is a huge consumer of concerts. There are many possibilities for the concert economy. The trend of live events and concerts has increased in the last 10 years," the prime minister had said. Now, with estimates pointing to Rs 15,000 crore in economic value over the next few years, state governments are finally catching up. Many are rolling out policies to attract events, improve infrastructure, and support local talent. More International Talent Coming To India This shift is clearly reflected in the kind of global talent now prioritizing India as a key tour stop. Besides Coldplay, there have been names such as Ed Sheeran, Maroon 5, Bryan Adams, and most recently Guns N' Roses who regaled fans in India. French hitmaker and Grammy-nominated DJ Snake, known for selling out stadiums worldwide, is set to return to India for a massive six-city Sunburn Arena Tour in 2025. Kicking off in Kolkata on September 26 and ending in Delhi-NCR on October 5, the tour marks his third time performing in India, and it's only getting bigger. October will see Spanish singer-songwriter Enrique Iglesias return to India after 13 years for a live show. What's Next India's concert economy is no longer a fringe act. It's moving to the mainstage. But to keep the momentum going, we need the talent to match the tempo. For this isn't just about watching a show. It's about creating millions of livelihoods and placing India at the heart of the global live entertainment map.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
India's concert economy to create 1.2 cr temporary jobs by 2030-2032, says NLB Services
India's live event and concert economy is expected to generate nearly 12 million (1.2 crore) temporary jobs by 2030-2032, with over 100 large-format concerts expected annually across the country, says global technology and digital talent solutions provider NLB Services . "Live event and concert economy in India is witnessing a transformative phase, which is emerging not only as a thriving cultural phenomenon but also as an employment and economic driver, poised to generate nearly 12 million temporary jobs by 2030-2032," NLB Services CEO Sachin Alug said. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category healthcare Public Policy Operations Management Data Science Artificial Intelligence Cybersecurity others Digital Marketing Product Management Others Data Science Healthcare Design Thinking MBA Finance Project Management CXO MCA PGDM Leadership Degree Management Skills you'll gain: Duration: 11 Months IIM Lucknow CERT-IIML Healthcare Management India Starts on undefined Get Details This evolving landscape is fueling demand for skilled professionals in production, logistics, security, hospitality, and digital media, he stated. While metropolitan cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad continue to host major international and national acts, the next wave of growth is clearly shifting toward tier II and III cities, he said. "Cities like Shillong, Guwahati, Pune, Jaipur, Kochi, Lucknow, Indore, and Chandigarh are fast becoming hotspots for high-energy live events," Alug said. Live Events He said, each concert generates 15,000 to 20,000 short-term roles across venue operations, crowd management, Food and Beverage (F&B) services, stage rigging, digital marketing, content creation, artist management, and more. Further, he said, the concert economy is acting as a multiplier for allied sectors like travel, tourism, hospitality, and F&B as well. For instance, he said, Coldplay's 2024 concert in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) added Rs 641 crore to the local economy, including Rs 72 crore in GST revenue. The ripple effects included a 300-350 per cent surge in flight demand, an 8 per cent spike in train bookings, record-high hotel tariffs (some rooms hitting Rs 90,000 a night), and huge business for local eateries and delivery platforms, he added. This concert boom is not just about short-term engagement, he said, adding that around 10-15 per cent of temporary roles are transitioning into full-time employment, particularly in domains like audio engineering, digital strategy, event tech, and production management. Repeat gigs, portfolio development, and upskilling are helping gig or freelance workers secure long-term opportunities, he noted. With over 100 such concerts expected annually, the cumulative contribution is projected to cross Rs 15,000 crores over the next few years driven by direct revenues from ticketing, hospitality, and transport, as well as indirect gains through tourism, local employment, and MSME engagement, he said.
Hindustan Times
3 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Andy Byron eyes lawsuit against Coldplay over viral kiss cam scandal: Report
Coldplay's viral kiss cam moment might be heading into legal territory. The kiss cam moment, which quickly gained traction on social media, could soon spark courtroom drama, as insiders revealed to Rob Shuter's #ShuterScoop that former Astronomer CEO Andy Byron, who found himself at the center of the cheating scandal alongside his HR Chief Kristin Cabot, is now considering legal action against the band, as reported by Mandatory. Coldplay's viral kiss cam incident could lead to legal action from former CEO Andy Byron over privacy concerns.(@Sober_lifestyl, @BuzzingPop/ X) The sources claimed that Byron is not too thrilled about the video of him embracing Cabot at the concert, which is not only going viral but has also become a meme template for many. Also Read: Andy Byron OnlyFans row: Did Ex-Astronomer CEO send $40K to Sophie Rain? Massive twist in ColdplayGate Byron looking to sue Coldplay after Boston concert fiasco During Coldplay's Boston show, Byron and his HR Cabot were accidentally outed by Chris Martin after their embraced position flashed on the jumbotrone screen. Both of them were married to other people. According to Rob Shuter's report, Byron is exploring the option of a lawsuit against Coldplay, as reported by Reality Tea. He is reportedly citing 'emotional distress' and 'invasion of privacy' while planning to sue the band and the event organizers. A source close to him shared that he 'didn't consent to being filmed or publicly humiliated.' Byron reportedly believes that the British rock band 'made him a meme." However, legal experts revealed to the outlet that they don't see the former CEO's efforts to sue Coldplay coming to any fruition. One cannot expect privacy at a public concert with cameras all around and thousands of people gathered. Also Read: Can Andy Byron sue Coldplay over kiss cam scandal? Lawyers break it down Chris Martin reportedly laughs at Byron's lawsuit efforts While Coldplay's Martin made a cheeky comment during the first show after the kiss cam fiasco, the band has not responded to reports of them being slammed with a lawsuit by Byron. However, sources shared that the band's frontman reportedly 'laughed out loud' at the former CEO's attempt to sue them, as reported by Reality Tea.
