Hashwi and her mother are just one of countless pairs comprising immigrant parents and their children who have long regarded concerts as a unique platform that transcends cultural disparities, facilitating connection, shared interests, and the discovery of a mutual language.
With a slew of high-profile concerts currently underway, such as The Jonas Brothers Tour, the offspring of immigrants are reminiscing about unforgettable shows spanning Beyoncé, the Spice Girls, and Taylor Swift—performances that have bridged generational gaps.
“When I learn Arabic lyrics, it brings me closer to my mother and to my Lebanese heritage,” Hashwi reflects. “And when we play American music for our parents, it helps them understand us better.”
Chelsea Page, a 26-year-old residing in Los Angeles, attests that music, with its resounding power, communicates universally, transcending language barriers. She recently attended Beyoncé’s Renaissance tour and watched her Filipino immigrant mother dance exuberantly in a shimmering metallic outfit, belting out lyrics to “Formation” and other hits.
“My mom is somewhat reserved, English isn’t her first language, and our personalities differ,” Page explains. “The sheer intensity of Beyoncé’s production allowed us to immerse ourselves in her message, feel empowered, and celebrate life.”
Page adds that Beyoncé’s universal themes and feminist commentary resonate globally, amplifying the experience for both her and her mother as they wholeheartedly celebrate their womanhood.
“It’s a social phenomenon too, driven by Beyoncé’s influence in creating a space where we can let loose, have fun, and fully embrace the female experience while acknowledging its associated challenges,” Page emphasizes. “We can still be powerful on our own terms and celebrate that fact.”
The tradition of attending concerts runs deep, offering immigrant families an opportunity to celebrate their established lives in the United States with their children, says Katie Nguyen, a 33-year-old Los Angeles resident. Nguyen recalls how her father took her to see the Spice Girls and Britney Spears more than two decades ago when she was a child. He accompanied her not out of obligation but as a shared experience.
“It was part of his immigrant journey,” Nguyen shares. “I don’t know if he had the chance to do this in Vietnam. It was like, ‘Now I’m in America. I get to do this for the first time with my daughter.’ It wasn’t just about him being a chaperone.”
For immigrant fathers who may not frequently express affection verbally, music has always served as a medium for demonstrating their care. Stefanie Ricchio, 43, recounts how her father, a lower-income Italian immigrant, didn’t often have the time or means to take his children to concerts.
“It just wasn’t feasible for us,” Ricchio reflects on her New Jersey upbringing. “When you’re a single-income, blue-collar immigrant family, it’s all about meeting the essentials—paying the mortgage, utilities, and keeping the car running. Anything beyond that was a luxury.”
However, when one of Ricchio’s favorite bands, New Kids on the Block, came to town in the early ’90s, her father went above and beyond to create a memorable experience for the family.
“He took us to the venue,” she fondly recalls. “It was outdoors, and the band was in this glass building. There was this moment when we could see them through the glass, wave at them, and establish that connection. He saw us smiling and giddy, and he asked, ‘Are we good? Are we happy?'”
Young millennials and older Gen Z individuals who are just starting their careers are reporting a reverse experience. Athena Sobhan, a 28-year-old Bangladeshi American from Southern California, shares that she has taken her parents to concerts that they could never have attended when they were young.
In 2018, after her mother successfully completed breast cancer treatment, Sobhan treated both her parents to a Fleetwood Mac concert as a celebration.
“I had the opportunity to witness them enjoying their favorite artists, which was truly intriguing because they never had the chance to see them during their prime,” she shared. “During our Fleetwood Mac concert, my mom and I were the only ones standing, singing, and enthusiastically enjoying the music together.”