'I didn’t even know a single song': Abhishek Bachchan recalls attending Ariana Grande concert with Aaradhya; what he discovered about young music fans

Ariana Grande may be a familiar name to millions of young music fans, but Abhishek Bachchan discovered the singer’s appeal through a family outing with his daughter, Aaradhya Bachchan. The actor, who enjoys the golden era of Hindi film music, recently recalled being taken to a Grande concert by his 14-year-old daughter during a summer holiday abroad. He went in without knowing the songs but left impressed by the singer’s vocal ability and the energy of her fans. In a conversation with BBC Asian Network, Abhishek also spoke about Aaradhya’s diverse musical preferences, which range from Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo to rock bands popular in the 1980s. His story shows how parents can pick up new interests from their kids, even if they’re not into the same things at first.

Abhishek Bachchan on Kishore Kumar, Taylor Swift and Aaradhya’s music choices

Ask Abhishek about his musical favourites and the conversation quickly turns to some of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated names. The actor continues to enjoy the songs he grew up listening to, particularly the work of legendary singers and composers.

Read more - Amitabh Bachchan receives birthday wishes from daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai Bachchan along with an unseen picture of him with granddaughter Aaradhya Bachchan


“Obviously, as I told you, Kishore Da is a personal favourite, and anything he does is just fantastic. I love listening to Hindi film music, especially the older songs. RD Burman, SD Burman, Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Bappi Lahiri, they’re all brilliant,” he said.

But the music playing at home is not restricted to his own favourites. With Aaradhya growing up in a different musical era, contemporary pop has also found its way into his listening routine.

“I enjoy that, but I have a 14-year-old at home, so there’s a lot of Olivia Rodrigo and Taylor Swift,” he said.

Taylor Swift is among Aaradhya’s favourites, while Ariana Grande is another artist she enjoys. However, the teenager’s choices are not limited to modern pop. She is also exploring rock music from the 1980s, giving her father some familiar names to enjoy alongside her newer discoveries.

“Thankfully, she also loves ’80s music and is getting into Bon Jovi, Van Halen and Metallica, so that’s fun. She has an eclectic sense of music, so I’m safe. I don’t have to just listen to all these other artists,” he said with a laugh.

Ariana Grande concert leaves Abhishek Bachchan impressed

Abhishek’s experience at the Ariana Grande concert offered a glimpse of what can happen when someone steps into a world they know little about. For Aaradhya, the concert meant watching a favourite performer live. For her father, it was an introduction to an artist whose songs he had not heard before.

“During our summer break, we were abroad, and she took us to see an Ariana Grande concert. I didn’t even know a single song, but that woman could sing,” he said.

The actor was particularly impressed by Grande’s singing, as well as the devotion of the younger audience attending the show.

“Oh my God, the quality of her voice was unbelievable. And seeing the fandom these young singers have was amazing,” he said.

Abhishek also pushed back against the assumption that music popular with younger listeners is necessarily less impressive than the songs older generations grew up enjoying. Different musical eras may have different sounds, but that does not mean newer artists lack talent.

“I think they’re also immensely talented. I know the older generation tends to say, ‘Oh no, we don’t want to listen to Taylor Swift.’ But actually, they make great music,” he said.

His comments suggest that appreciating an artist does not always require being familiar with their songs beforehand. Sometimes, watching a performance or listening without preconceived notions can be enough to understand why an artist connects with an audience.

Parenting lessons: How parents can connect with teenagers through their interests

As children grow into teenagers, their preferences often begin to diverge from those of their parents. They may follow different musicians, discover new entertainment trends or develop hobbies their parents know little about. These differences can become opportunities for connection rather than reasons to drift apart.

Abhishek’s concert anecdote offers a few practical lessons for parents looking to understand their teenagers better.

1. Let children introduce you to something new

Parents do not need to be familiar with every artist, game or trend their children enjoy. Giving teenagers the chance to explain their choices can help parents understand what captures their interest.

A simple invitation to share a favourite song or recommend a film can open up a conversation that might not otherwise happen.

2. Listen before passing judgement

It is easy to dismiss unfamiliar music or entertainment by comparing it with what one grew up enjoying. However, asking a teenager why they like a particular artist can offer a better understanding of their preferences.

Parents do not have to agree with every choice. Listening without immediately criticising it can make children more willing to share their thoughts.

3. Make room for activities chosen by teenagers

Family plans often revolve around activities familiar to adults. Occasionally allowing teenagers to choose an outing, a film or a musical performance gives them an opportunity to share their world with the rest of the family.

Even if the activity is not something a parent would have selected independently, the experience can become memorable because it was enjoyed together.

4. Do not turn different tastes into a competition

A parent’s favourite songs need not compete with a teenager’s playlist. Both can exist alongside each other, with family members exchanging recommendations and discovering common ground along the way.

Respecting these differences also allows teenagers to develop their own identities without feeling that their interests must always match those of their parents.

What parents can learn from Abhishek Bachchan’s experience

The Ariana Grande concert was an opportunity for Abhishek to see a performer through his daughter’s eyes. Although he arrived without knowing the songs, he was able to appreciate the performance and understand the enthusiasm surrounding the singer.

For parents, the broader lesson is that bonding with teenagers does not require identical interests. Showing up, being willing to try something unfamiliar and giving children space to share what they enjoy can make a difference.

A shared experience may not turn a parent into a fan of a particular singer or trend. It can, however, create a conversation, offer a fresh perspective and give a family another memory to look back on together.


Inputs from TOI