Competition rising

However, since various performances and live shows resumed at the start of the year, big stars have headed back on the road again and competition for tickets has become fierce.

Shenzhen witnessed the largest concert boom in recent years.

"Venues are already fully booked till early next year," said Zhou Baomin, director of the Culture, Radio, Television, Tourism and Sports Bureau of Nanshan district, where the Shenzhen Bay Sports Center is located. "The concert market has been much better this year."

In fact, approximately 38 pop music concerts will have been held in the city from March to the end of the year, ranking Shenzhen third among mainland cities, behind Shanghai and Guangzhou, also in Guangdong, which are number one and two respectively.

Considering its proximity to Hong Kong and Guangzhou, which is only a 60-minute drive away, the concert boom in Shenzhen had already solidified the city's reputation as a thriving music and entertainment hub.

"Everyone's enthusiasm for attending concerts has been unleashed after three years of COVID-19. Many people who had not planned to watch live concerts are now affected by social media publicity and friends, and have joined the rush to grab tickets," said Chen Yu, CEO of a booking agency in Hong Kong.

Chen added that as in-person concerts appear to be in strong recovery mode, the "concert economy" has become a buzzword for the culture and tourism industry.