iWorld
Marriott Bonvoy becomes official loyalty partner for Ed Sheeran +-= ÷ x Tour
Mumbai: Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s award-winning travel program with more than 30 extraordinary brands and endless experiences, has announced it is the loyalty partner to the four -time Grammy award winner Ed Sheeran’s +-= ÷ x Tour – India 2024, brought to India by BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment experiential division of BookMyShow. The last and final stop of the global tour will be in Mumbai, India at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse on 16 March, 2024. This strategic partnership grants Marriott Bonvoy members access to exclusive ticket with guided site tours and an exciting sweepstakes – an opportunity for fans to win tickets to the iconic Ed Sheeran + – = ÷ x Tour – India 2024.
Marriott Bonvoy members can gain access to this once-in-a-lifetime music experience from Marriott Bonvoy Moments, the platform where members can use points earned from travel and everyday activities to redeem exclusive experiences. Members can redeem their points for never-done-before guided site tours one day before the concert, they will also be awarded Marriott Bonvoy Lounge passes that grant exclusive access to the concert. In addition to this, Marriott Bonvoy will also grant GA passes to members which they can redeem through the Marriott Bonvoy Moments platform using their points. The moments have gone live on 7 February 2024.
This strategic partnership also gives fans and music lovers the opportunity to participate in the sweepstakes with simple registration to the Marriott Bonvoy program, which is free and easy at marriottbonvoy.com. Ten lucky winners will be selected randomly from eligible entries received throughout the sweepstakes period. The sweepstakes go live from 15 February – 1 March, 2024.
“As the official loyalty partner for Ed Sheeran’ + – = ÷ x Tour – India 2024 through our strategic partnership with BookMyShow Live, we are excited to tap into the positive power of music and entertainment, to deliver once-in-a-lifetime experiences for Marriott Bonvoy members. This strategic partnership underscores Marriott Bonvoy’s commitment to constantly innovate the way we engage the next generation of travelers with some of the most iconic performers of this era, while showcasing the value proposition of our loyalty program and enrolling prospective new customers,” said Marriott International – VP Marketing – South Asia Khushnooma Kapadia.
BookMyShow Live, the live entertainment division of BookMyShow will bring Ed Sheeran’s
+ – = ÷ x Tour to India as promoters for the tour along with AEG Presents.
iWorld
Samay Raina returns with Still Alive, confronts 2025 controversy in bold comeback special
Comeback set tackles controversy, blending humour with raw storytelling
MUMBAI: Samay Raina is set to release his new stand-up comedy special, Still Alive, on YouTube on April 7, 2026, marking a high-profile return following a turbulent year.
The trailer for the special dropped on April 5, offering a glimpse into what Raina describes as a raw and unfiltered set that leans as much on honesty as it does on humour.
Positioned as a comeback of sorts, Still Alive draws heavily from the controversy surrounding his show India’s Got Latent in early 2025. The episode led to legal trouble, multiple FIRs, and a lengthy six-hour interrogation by the Maharashtra Cyber Cell, placing the comedian at the centre of intense public scrutiny.
Rather than sidestep the episode, Raina leans into it. The special reflects on the fallout and his personal journey through it, blending observational comedy with moments of emotional candour. Early audience feedback from live performances suggests the tone is less about rapid-fire punchlines and more about storytelling with bite.
The special was filmed during his global Still Alive & Unfiltered tour, which ran from August 2025 to early 2026. The tour saw Raina perform across major international venues, including the Madison Square Garden Theatre in New York, a milestone that places him among the youngest Indian comedians to take that stage.
The title itself signals resilience. “Still Alive” is a nod to navigating both legal and public backlash while choosing to remain unapologetically authentic, a theme that appears to anchor the set.
With the special set to premiere online, all eyes are now on how audiences respond to a performance that promises equal parts reflection and wit. For Raina, the message is clear. He is not just back, he is ready to be heard on his own terms.
