Mastercard brings a fresh flavour to its concert series, expanding into stand-up comedy and music with iconic Indian voices

Vir Das, Zakir Khan and Papon headline the next phase as Mastercard continues to enable priceless experiences for youth from underserved communities

Rakesh Thapliyal

New Delhi: Mastercard has announced the next phase of its multi-city concert series in India, marking an evolution of the platform with a dynamic new format that brings together stand-up comedy and live music. Known for bringing audiences closer to iconic performers, this phase introduces some of India’s most celebrated names in entertainment, including Vir Das, Zakir Khan and Papon.

Building on the success of earlier music-led editions featuring global and Indian legends, such as Enrique Iglesias, A.R. Rahman and Sunidhi Chauhan, the concert series continues to expand into a broader cultural platform that reflects India’s evolving entertainment preferences. The addition of stand-up comedy alongside music signals a natural progression—bringing humour, storytelling and contemporary expression into the live experience ecosystem.

Curated in collaboration with Tribe Vibe and EVA Live, the concert series will now feature Vir Das, one of India’s most globally recognised comedians, take the stage in New Delhi with four shows across two days at Yashobhoomi, scheduled for 9 and 10 May.

Similarly, Zakir Khan, renowned for his deeply relatable and heartfelt humour, will perform in Mumbai, with nine shows planned at the Dome, SVP Stadium. Confirmed dates currently include 12, 13 and 14 June, followed by 19 and 20 June, with additional shows to be announced soon.

Adding a strong musical dimension, Papon will headline performances across six cities, bringing his signature blend of folk, classical and contemporary music to audiences nationwide. His tour begins in Chandigarh on 16 May, followed by Ahmedabad on 29 May and Lucknow on 30 May, before moving to Bengaluru on 6 June, Hyderabad on 7 June, and concluding in Indore on 14 June.

Together, the line-up underscores Mastercard’s focus on curating premium, in-demand live entertainment experiences that resonate across genres, regions and age groups. As always, Mastercard cardholders will enjoy special privileges, including priority ticket pre-sales and access to lounges at event venues—enhancing the overall concert experience with added comfort and exclusivity.

Beyond entertainment, the concert series continues to serve a deeper purpose by enabling access and opportunity. Through its ongoing collaboration with Learning Links Foundation, Mastercard has been extending access to these large-scale live events for youth from underserved, first-generation learner communities.

Across multiple cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Jaipur, and Chandigarh, nearly 90 students have been invited to experience the scale, energy and creative ecosystem of live entertainment—often for the first time. These experiences are designed to go beyond enjoyment, helping spark aspirations, build confidence and expose young people to potential career pathways within the experience economy, aligned with Mastercard’s belief in inclusive growth.

“Live entertainment is a powerful expression of culture and connection. As we continue to evolve this platform, our focus remains on creating experiences that are not only memorable for audiences, but also meaningful for the communities we serve. This is how we think about doing well by doing good—building engagement while widening access to opportunity,” said Gautam Aggarwal, President, India & South Asia, Mastercard.

Tickets for the announced shows are available on www.priceless.com/music.

About Mastercard

Mastercard powers economies and empowers people in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide. Together with our customers, we are building a resilient economy where everyone can prosper. We support a wide range of digital payment choices, making transactions secure, simple, smart and accessible. Our technology and innovation, partnerships and networks combine to deliver a unique set of products and services that help people, businesses and governments realise their greatest potential.

Testimonials by the participating youth

“This concert was my first time attending such a big live event. Seeing the lights, the crowd, and the performance made me feel confident and proud. It helped me believe that we can dream of careers beyond our surroundings.”

–Arnav Kondhare, Mumbai

“Seeing everything backstage and meeting Sunidhi Chauhan made me realise how much teamwork and planning goes into a concert. It motivated me to seriously think about a career in music and event management, which I earlier felt were not meant for youths like me.”

“The event was truly amazing—I explored and enjoyed it like never before. Thanks to Mastercard for giving me the opportunity to attend the A.R. Rahman concert.”

–Akshat Shaw, Kolkata