Ziddi Blog
Times Music Acquires Catrack Entertainment to Expand Punjabi IP
Times Music recently completed its acquisition of Chandigarh-based Catrack Entertainment. The deal brings a massive archive of 1990s Punjabi hits under the control of the Times Group and its partner, Primary Wave Music. This purchase marks the label's third major catalog buyout, confirming a clear corporate strategy to secure regional music assets. Catrack Entertainment launched…
Spotify Introduces ‘Human Artist’ Verification to Combat AI Content
Spotify recently launched a new verification system to distinguish human musicians from artificial intelligence accounts. The audio streaming platform rolled out the "Verified by Spotify" badge on April 30, 2026. This update places a light green checkmark next to an artist’s name to confirm their authenticity. The company introduced this feature in response to the…
Green Gigs: How Sustainable Concerts Are Changing India’s Live Music Sector
Environmental sustainability is altering how promoters and musicians plan live shows in India. The industry now refers to these ecologically conscious events as "green gigs." These concerts operate on clean energy, eliminate single-use plastics, and use upcycled materials for stage construction. Transitioning to green gigs reduces the massive carbon footprint typically associated with live entertainment.…
Lukkhe Integrates Rap Culture With Episodic Storytelling
The upcoming Amazon Prime Video series Lukkhe premieres on May 8. Directed by Himank Gaur, the musical action drama uses the Chandigarh rap scene as its primary setting. The narrative follows two rival rappers, MC Badnaam and OG, played by musician King and actor Shivankit Parihar. The production marks King's acting debut and positions original…
Scorpions Cancel 2026 India Tour Due to Medical Issues
The German rock band Scorpions canceled their four-city India tour. BookMyShow Live announced the cancellation this weekend, citing unforeseen medical circumstances affecting the band members. The "Coming Home" tour was scheduled to begin on April 21 at the JN Stadium in Shillong. The routing included stops at HUDA Grounds in Delhi-NCR on April 24, NICE…
WHAM 2026 Documents the Legacy of Women in Indian Music
The Indian Music Experience Museum in Bengaluru recently concluded its third edition of the Women’s History, Art, and Music (WHAM) festival. Running from March 20 to April 5, the 2026 programming centered the histories and creative practices of women across India's musical traditions. The festival presented live performances, archival exhibitions, and community discussions. For listeners…
Flipkart To Enter India’s Live Event Ticketing Sector
Flipkart is preparing to launch its own live event and entertainment ticketing platform in May 2026. The Walmart-backed e-commerce company enters a sector currently controlled by BookMyShow and Zomato's recently launched District app. Flipkart plans to sell tickets for concerts, movies, and theatre shows. This expansion occurs as the company prepares for an expected initial…
Ye (Kanye West) Confirms First India Concert for May 2026
Kanye West will perform his first concert in India on May 23, 2026. The event, billed as "Ye Live In India," takes place at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi. This performance marks a significant addition to the current live music calendar in South Asia. The production setup diverges from standard stadium tours. Reports…
World Jazz Festival 2026 Kicks Off 5-City India Tour
The World Jazz Festival returns to India for its sixth edition this April. Organized by Banyan Tree Events in collaboration with the World Jazz Network and the Netherlands-based Amersfoort Jazz Festival, the event runs from April 17 to April 25. The tour covers five cities, starting in New Delhi and moving through Pune, Mumbai, Bengaluru,…
Tip of the Day: Don’t Skip YouTube Content ID
Turn every use into revenue If your music is on YouTube, it’s likely being used in more places than you realise. From vlogs to reels and background edits, your track could be generating views without you earning from it. That’s where Content ID comes in. By registering your music, you can claim those uses and…
Tip of the Day: Own Your Audience, Don’t Rely Only on Algorithms
Why direct fan connection matters for artists Social media is great for discovery, but it’s unpredictable. Algorithms change, reach drops, and your content doesn’t always reach the people who actually care about your music. That’s why building a direct line to your audience through email lists or even WhatsApp can be a game changer. When…
Northeast Guitarist Imnainla Jamir Signs Global Deal With Ibanez
Guitarist Imnainla Jamir from Nagaland has signed a global endorsement deal with leading guitar brand Ibanez, marking a significant milestone not just for her career but for India’s independent music ecosystem. Jamir has become the first-ever female Indian artist to be officially endorsed by Ibanez, placing her alongside a global roster of internationally recognized guitarists.…