Indonesians sure love Coldplay, but do they love the band as much as IDR11 million (US$747.22)?
Coldplay fans in Indonesia were ecstatic when the British band announced their Music of the Spheres World Tour, which includes a stop in Jakarta on Nov. 15, 2023. The concert will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium (GBK) and more than 50,000 tickets are expected to be up for grabs.
However, their excitement soon turned into dismay when the official ticket prices and categories were revealed by the promoters, PK Entertainment and TEM Presents. The tickets are divided into 11 categories, ranging from IDR800,000 (US$54.35) to a whopping IDR11 million.
The most expensive category, called Ultimate Experience (Cat 1), offers a VIP package that includes a seat with an optimal view of the stage, backstage access, custom merchandise, and a dedicated access to the venue.
Musician Fiersa Besari was among those who could not stomach the ticket price, even though he seems to be tempted considering that this would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
“Eleven million. That’s 22 million for a pair. I can buy bakso (meatballs) to treat an entire district [with that kind of money]. But bakso sellers are around everyday. Coldplay may never come back. Hmm,” he wrote.
Twitter personality Handoko Tjung posted the meme below, portraying a minimum wage worker caught between a choice of watching Coldplay or having money to buy food for a month. The worker eventually opted to get tangled up with online lenders, which are notoriously sus, to be able to get both.
Coldplay’s Ultimate Experience is more expensive than VIP packages offered at recent major international concerts in Jakarta. For comparison, the most expensive ticket to Blackpink’s March shows – arguably the most hyped concert in Indonesia along with Coldplay this year – at the same venue set fans back IDR3.5 million (US$237.90).
Going by the official seating layout, those who are considering the cheapest tickets are worried that their view of the stage will be too restricted.
“In Cat 7, do we watch the concert [via other people’s] Instagram stories?” @falla_adinda joked.
The ticket sales for the Coldplay concert in Indonesia will be divided into two periods. The first is intended as a presale for BCA customers, which will be held on May 17 and 18. The second period for the public will be held on May 19. The tickets can only be purchased through the official website at www.coldplayinjakarta.com.
