(Image source from: Canva.com)
Nowadays, dating for Indian Gen Z and some Millennials involves more than just swiping on apps. The new approach blends music, shared experiences, and real-life interactions. According to a recent survey by the dating app Happn, 74% of Indian singles consider concerts as their ideal first date, while 67% believe live music events make dating easier. As India's concert culture has been thriving, these events have become prime matchmaking hubs, offering more than just beats, fandom, and fashion. Dating in 2025 is vastly different from a few years ago, as it now focuses on creating shared memories and experiences, whether it's attending a puppy yoga class or a painting session with a date. The rise of activity-based dating is reshaping how singles connect, with music events playing a crucial role in this transformation.
Music festivals provide an ideal setting for romantic connections, as they allow singles to bond over a shared emotional experience and find common interests like music taste. Indian singles, especially Gen Z, are interested in activity-based dates and icebreakers, and music festivals offer a vibrant, real-world environment for them to break the ice and form genuine interactions, without the pressure of constant conversation. Sharing a live music experience can bypass typical dating hurdles and create opportunities for meaningful connections, as 48% of Indian singles say that seeing a favorite musician in someone's dating profile can instantly attract them.
Language is the primary means of communication used by humans to express their thoughts, feelings, and ideas. It enables individuals to convey information, share experiences, and engage in meaningful dialogue with others. Language is a complex and multifaceted system that evolves over time, reflecting the diverse cultural and social backgrounds of its users.
The survey also highlights:
Music plays a significant role in the social lives of Indian singles. Seventy-four percent use music as a way to break the ice when meeting someone new. Seventy-nine percent believe that music sets the tone for romance, indicating that the songs you choose can impact first impressions. Seventy-six percent enjoy discovering new music with a special person, turning shared musical experiences into potential love stories. According to research from the dating app Bumble, 69 percent of people in India consider music a crucial factor in strengthening romantic relationships.
The reason music holds such influence is that live concerts create an unspoken intimacy, as explained by counseling psychologist Absy Sam. Concerts foster a shared emotional experience, whether it's sadness, happiness, or nostalgia. The rhythm, beat, and collective energy generate a space for people to connect without words. This sense of synchrony in live music can cultivate a deep bond between individuals. As Sam states, "When you're experiencing music with someone, you're not just finding a date—you're finding someone who feels like home."
There is also a scientific basis for the power of music. Live music triggers the release of oxytocin and dopamine, hormones associated with social bonding and pleasure. The physical and emotional experience of attending a concert, along with the shared enjoyment of music, can quickly foster a strong connection between people that is challenging to replicate in typical dating environments. Concerts have become an unexpected yet suitable setting for romantic encounters, as evident from the immense enthusiasm and fervor surrounding concerts in India, with people even willing to travel abroad to attend these events.
