Here’s the thing when Siddharth Todi bumped into Jaddan Comerford at a sold-out Vance Joy concert in Barcelona, no one saw it coming. What started as a casual exchange sparked what’s now a career-shaping, cross-continental music venture. India’s STARtist Management (and its touring arm, 7Entertainment) and Australia’s UNIFIED Music Group are joining forces and it could change how artists connect globally.
The Spark: When East Meets West
Todi, head of STARtist Management, met Comerford, founder-CEO of UNIFIED, outside that Barcelona show in 2023 thanks to a chance favor from Vance Joy’s manager and Comerford’s partner, Rachael Tulloch. They reconnected in Mumbai during the 2024 All About Music conference and by August 2025, had officially announced their joint venture across live touring, artist management and recorded music.
What’s Behind the Move
India’s music market is one of the fastest-growing and most diverse in the world. With a billion-plus listeners, young audiences and streaming poised to overtake other global markets, India is fertile ground for international expansion. For UNIFIED, this isn’t just growth it’s opportunity.
Todi says the venture isn’t about export alone. “We’re as committed to amplifying Indian voices globally as we are to helping international artists navigate India in a culturally relevant and sustainable way”. Comerford adds it’s one of those rare partnerships where “one plus one might equal three, or even more”.
Already in Motion
This isn’t future-speak. STARtist, 7Entertainment and UNIFIED have already co-produced international tours for devotional artists like Radhika Das and Jahnavi Harrison, as well as singer-songwriter Ishan who’s based in Melbourne but of Indian origin.
Krishna Das also has a tour lined up in India from October through November 2025, stopping in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru.
Bigger Picture: Cultural Exchange, Not Just Commerce
This alliance taps into more than business. By combining UNIFIED’s global infrastructure and STARtist’s India-specific know-how, they’re aiming to build “trust, context and career moments that matter”. That means carefully curated tours, meaningful collaborations and long-term relationship building not just one-off gigs.
Why It Matters
- For Indian artists: access to global infrastructure, audience exposure, and touring opportunities.
- For international artists: guidance, access to India’s complex and culturally rich market.
- For the global industry: a model for how regional players can collaborate rather than compete to expand reach.
Let’s break it down. This isn’t just another business deal it’s a cultural bridge. The music industry thrives on stories, melodies and connection. And this joint venture is an invitation for artists and audiences alike to cross borders, language, genre. If nothing else, it reminds us that good music doesn’t need passports but smart infrastructure does. Ready to listen?
