From Candlelight Concerts To Bhajan Jamming: A Look At How Musical Events Are Changing Shape

Last Updated:January 23, 2026, 18:24 IST

India’s musical events are changing shape: intimate gigs, devotional jams, and cozy concerts offer a more immersive experience.

India is slowly shifting toward meaningful, mindful music experiences.

In the past couple of years, the concert scene in India has come alive like never before – from the Coldplay Music of the Spheres Tour in 2025 to the iconic Linkin Park, which is all set to make their India debut at the upcoming edition of Lollapalooza. The country has put itself on the global touring map, and the momentum clearly isn’t winding down anytime soon.

However, as the concert frenzy takes over, in parallel, some more meaningful and intentional ways of consuming music are emerging quietly in the shadows.

1. Candlelight Concerts

Imagine the warm glow of hundreds of candles intertwined with soul-stirring melodies filling the air as you quietly hum along. It probably sounds like something straight out of a movie, but it is one of the many ways concerts are evolving into something more meaningful and softer.

Instead of crowds fighting for the barricade, the candlelight experience offers the audience a chance to be present, soak in the ambience and be one with the melody as the sound of their favourite tracks from artists like QUEEN, ABBA and A.R Rehman, among others, takes over the night.

2. Bhajan Jamming

Gone are the days when devotional music was only heard within the walls of temples or at religious gatherings; Gen-Z has now given it a new identity through ‘Bhajan Jamming.” Think of it as the perfect medley of faith and fun where rhythm replaces strobe lights and a cup of chai oust cocktails.

According to singer Abhijeet Ghoshal, “Bhajan Jamming is not a fad, it has a long-term impact.” He reiterates the words of Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, “ Jitne mat hain, utne hee path hain” – meaning there are many paths, but the destination is one, highlighting that music remains sacrosanct through every format, and bhajan jamming instead offers the youth an alternative to meaningless clubbing and a chance to step away from the noise while immersing themselves in devotion.

3. House Concerts And Living-Room Gigs

While camping for hours to see your favourite artist up close is an experience in itself, immersing yourself in the music as one performs in your living room is a different journey altogether – slower, deeper and more mindful. As audiences search for purposeful experiences, these performances, often hosted in living rooms, small community spaces or cafes strip music to its rawest form and are blurring the lines between the audience and artist.

The lack of massive stages or overpowering sound systems gives the audience an opportunity to experience the songs exactly the way they were meant to be heard – unfiltered, whilst simultaneously fostering a sense of community and human connection in a world that’s chronically online and digitally fatigued.