The Seema (Taparia, high-profile matchmaker) aunties of the matchmaking business can take a backseat now or buy a ticket to the next big concert to check how the Gen Z style of matchmaking works. India’s rising concert culture is not only benefitting the artistes and organisers but also influencing the dating culture as more and more singles prefer concert dates over their mundane counterparts. As per a recent survey by dating app happn , 74 per cent of Indian singles consider concerts their dream first date, while 67 per cent say that live music events make dating easier. According to experts, concerts make for a “low anxiety place to make new connections”.

With India finding itself on the global map of music with international artistes including Coldplay (who broke the record for highest attendance for a music tour with their Ahmedabad concerts), NH7 Weekender, Maroon 5, and Bryan Adams, besides Punjabi stars Diljit Dosanjh, AP Dhillon and the likes, performing here in the last six months, concerts have become the ideal setting for romance, fostering an implicit sense of intimacy.

‘The trend is here to stay’

In its annual dating trend list, dating app Bumble has discerned that shared fandom (read Taylor Swift or Diljit Dosanjh) and bonding over unique hobbies have become critical factors in attraction. Says Dr Prashant Bhimani, a senior psychologist, “Many years ago, people would attend musical programmes together. Concert dating is just the repackaged, reformatted version of the same. Just as couples who visit amusement parks together to enjoy roller coasters for that shared adrenaline rush, being at a concert together and going through all the different emotions – sadness, happiness, euphoria, or nostalgia – helps a couple bond better. This trend (of concert dating) is here to stay for a long time.”

The survey also revealed that 100% of interviewed Gen Z women were more receptive to the idea of concert dates, while preferences for quieter settings increase with age. Professor Kamayani Mathur, Director, School of Psychology, Philosophy and Education, Professor and Head, Dept of Psychology, Gujarat University, says, “It’s less chai, less coffee, and less traditional dinners for the current generation. Our generation, exactly the one before this, looked for stability, and a quiet environment, and traditional dinners worked for us. Personalities have changed since, so have styles and methods of having fun. Concerts bring a lot of excitement and fun as was witnessed at Coldplay’s Ahmedabad concerts.”

‘Live music hits the right relationship notes’

It is widely known (with science to back it up) that live music triggers the release of oxytocin and dopamine. So, sharing the same appreciation for music and artistes helps foster a deeper connection with your date/partner. Dr Bhimani shares, “When you are singing together, grooving together or eating together, you are sharing the same energy and feel synchronized. Besides, music is known to light up the brain, activating and stimulating new connections. This is also the reason why we love nostalgic songs.”

For Coldplayer Karan Malhotra, who had attended the Coldplay concert in Bangkok in February last year before the one in Ahmedabad last month, “everything has changed beautifully during this interval”. He says, “Last time, I had decided that I would attend the next Coldplay concert with the love of my life, and this time, I attended it with my fiancée in our city. Holding hands with her as the band performed our favourite songs, Sky Full Of Stars and Yellow, and fireworks filled the sky like stars, we felt a different kind of connection with each other. It was magical, and a moment we’ll cherish forever.”

The psychologist adds that “social media is also a big thing these days”. “To click and share pictures together on social media, announcing it to the world or making it official also brings a lot of attention to the couple,” shares Dr Bhimani.

Dr Mathur adds, “Music brings you a lot of peace and stimulates the brain. Also, going to concerts can help young people meet their kind. Watching their favourite artiste perform up close, getting to shake hands with them – such experiences bring happiness, and often help to alleviate stress and anxiety.”

(The happn survey was done on 2,000 people from Tier 1 metro cities – Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru and Hyderabad)

Music is the new cupid

74 per cent of Indian singles revealed they use music as a conversation starter

79 per cent believe that music sets the mood for romance

76 per cent love discovering new music through dating


Single? Check out tips to land a date at a concert

Strike up a conversation: You can compliment their outfit, ask them about the band and if they’ve been to their concerts before, or just introduce yourself.

Offer to take a photo: See someone struggling to take a selfie, offer to take a photo for them. This is a great way to break the ice.

Compliment their taste in music: This is a great way to find common ground and start a conversation.

Dance with them: Start dancing near them. This is a fun and easy way to connect with someone without having to say anything.

Offer to share a drink or snack: If you have an extra drink or snack, offer to share it with someone nearby.

--Inputs by Kanksha Vasavada