The Coldplay Concerts Are Inspiring A New Wedding Trend In India

Whether you were one of the lucky thousands who managed to score Coldplay concert tickets in time or like the rest of us who are condemned to scroll through shaky concert footage on our Instagram feeds, there’s no denying that the mania has gripped the country.

The band’s music and message of love and sustainability have found fans across countries and demographics and are now even inspiring wedding trends in India.

Indian Sangeet, But Make it a Coldplay Concert

In a recent viral video on Instagram from a sangeet ceremony, the wedding guests could be seen sporting wristbands that are exactly like the Xylobands popularised by Coldplay concerts.

The couple in question, Riya and Aayush, enlisted the help of wedding planning company Shubhtithi Weddings to pull off a magical, celestial-themed sangeet for their December nuptials in Udaipur.

For Nikita Dubey Bahukhandi, the CEO and partner at Shubhtithi Weddings, going with Coldplay's signature Xylobands seemed like a no-brainer, especially because the couple were fans of the band as well. "The announcement that Coldplay will be playing in India happened right around the time we were planning this wedding. Since one of the most notable things about their concerts are the wristbands, so we wanted to incorporate the wristbands in any way possible."

Xylobands are illuminated wristbands that are given to the audience at any Coldplay concert. These bands act as top-up cards at the venue and are also radio-controlled to light up at certain points to synch up with the music. The effect is a pleasing sea of light at the concert.

An extension of the band’s philosophy of conservation and sustainability, the bands are made of 100% compostable and plant-based material. Since all of us cannot be billionaires who can summon international artists to turn our sangeets into mini concerts, this is a small but fun way to make your pre-wedding ceremonies special.

“Coldplay-inspired wristbands are an exciting trend that adds a unique, interactive element to wedding celebrations, especially for high-energy events like the sangeet,” says Reshma Ramaiah, the Director of USA Operations and Co-Founder of wedding planning company Resh&Co. “The wristbands turn every attendee into an active participant in the event, making them feel like a vital part of the celebration. It’s especially impactful during high-energy dance performances or dramatic moments like the couple’s entry.”

Nikita believes that the Coldplay-inspired wristbands can become a bigger trend in the coming months. "Since this is something very new and exciting, and something that people have not seen before, you'll see a lot of it more in the coming 8 to 10 months.

Reshma agrees, adding, “It's a trend that will grow, especially in sangeet and reception functions. Nowadays, couples are always looking for ways to surprise and engage their guests, and these wristbands offer an ideal balance of fun and personalisation.”