Jasleen Royal Sets the Tone for Coldplay’s India Tour and the Year Ahead

Singer-songwriter-composer Jasleen Royal is from small town Ludhiana and isn’t formally trained in music. None of that, however, kept her from dreaming big from a really young age. Growing up in the ‘90s, Royal would find herself in the neighbourhood music stores, poring over whatever new music had come in from all over the country, memorising names of artistes scribbled on the back covers of cassettes.

Now, at 33, and 12 years since she made her musical debut, Royal is set to forge a personal milestone like no other. The artiste opens for all five shows of British rock band Coldplay for their Music of the Spheres tour in India in Mumbai and Ahmedabad and hopes to follow it up with the release of a new album and her solo tour in 2025 to keep up the promising streak.

Read More | The Coldplay Effect: How the Band Became India’s Ultimate Live Concert Experience

Hours ahead of the first Coldplay show in Mumbai, Royal spoke to The Hollywood Reporter India about the evolving landscape of music in the country, and why concerts in India are only going to get bigger hereon.

Edited excerpts.

Your debut song Panchi Ho Jaava (2013) had won an MTV Video Music Award. That itself set the benchmark pretty high for you as an artiste. But did you always plan to explore multiple genres, languages and roles in music – like composing? 

Not at all — it just happened. I’ve always been drawn to music, but I’m a self-taught musician with no formal training. Everything I’ve learned has been on the job, driven by curiosity and hard work. Growing up, I was fascinated by composers and lyricists. I’d memorise names from cassette labels and visit shops just to read who worked on which album.

I grew up listening to (A. R.) Rahman Sir, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, and Amit Trivedi, and I was deeply inspired by their melodies. My focus was always on creating songs and melodies — I never thought about becoming a singer or featuring in videos. Even now, I’m very protective of my music. It takes a lot for me to give my songs to someone else because they feel like an extension of me.

How have opportunities and career prospects in your domain evolved over the years? 

Back in the ‘90s, artistes like Alisha Chinai, Lucky Ali, and Rahman defined music in India. I remember eagerly waiting for their albums—it was an artiste-first culture. That connection faded for a while when music became heavily film-centric, but now it’s coming back.

Platforms like Spotify and Apple Music have given artistes the freedom to experiment and release music directly, without being dictated by market forces or labels. This direct connection with fans is something I’ve always craved. It allows us to take risks and create more authentic music, which is what I enjoy the most about this shift.

With social media influencing music discovery, how do you feel about balancing artistry and virality?

I don’t create with virality in mind. For me, music is deeply emotional. I write melodies that move me, and I trust they’ll find their audience when the time is right.

Take Kho Gaye Hum Kahan (from the film Baar Baar Dekho). It was released in 2016 but didn’t gain traction immediately. A few years later, during a live performance, I realised how much it resonated with people — it became a moment where the entire crowd started singing along. Similarly, Sang Rahiyo (2020) and Din Shagna Da (from the film Phillauri, 2017) didn’t find instant success but eventually reached their audiences.

I’m a romantic at heart and truly believe that a good song will always find its moment. It may not happen immediately, but if a song comes from an honest place, it will travel and resonate with people in its own time.

For example, artistes like OAFF and Savera have also created a distinctive style of songwriting, blending global influences with fresh, rooted compositions. This reflects how the music landscape has evolved — we’re no longer limited to one way of creating or consuming music.

For my music, the process is often reversed. Songs like Din Shagna Da started out as indie creations. I pitch my songs to people after they’re made, not the other way around. It’s about creating something I believe in and then finding the right opportunity for it to reach its audience. This approach has been freeing because it allows me to stay true to my vision.

There are also far fewer middlemen now, and that’s a huge shift. Earlier, labels and gatekeepers controlled everything. They decided what music was released and how. Now, artistes have the tools to create, distribute, and connect directly with fans. With platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and even Instagram, there’s less reliance on labels to reach an audience. You can record at home, upload it, and let the music speak for itself. This freedom has opened up so many possibilities for artistes to experiment and find their own path.

Do you think perceptions of artistes are changing, with more emphasis on live performances? 

Absolutely. Earlier, singers were mainly seen as playback artistes. Their voices were heard, but their personalities weren’t visible. Now, audiences want to connect with artistes on a personal level — they want to know who we are, what drives us, and what inspires our music.

Live performances have become an essential part of this connection. Today, we’re not just singers; we’re all-round performers. Artistes like Diljit Dosanjh have redefined what’s possible in live shows. He produces his own concerts, invests heavily in production, and creates unforgettable experiences for his fans. That kind of innovation was rare in India earlier.

Tell us about opening for all of Coldplay’s shows in their India Tour.

It’s surreal! Warner Music called me and asked me to sit down before breaking the news. My first thought was, “Has one of my songs leaked?” That’s my worst fear. When they told me I’d be opening for Coldplay, I was completely numb. I’m not someone who shows a lot of emotions, but inside, I was overwhelmed.

Preparing for this performance has been intense — I’ve had 14-hour rehearsals, revamped my set, and reworked my songs to create fresh arrangements. This will be the largest audience I’ve ever performed for, and the pressure is real.

This moment is a milestone for me, and I’m proud of what my team and I have built together. No matter what happens, I know we’ve given it our all.

What are your hopes for 2025?

I’d love to release an album this year and announce my own tour. It’s been a dream of mine to connect with audiences on a larger scale, and a tour would be the perfect way to do that.