Chicago’s music scene has always been abundant. From pioneering house music and rap to being a 1920s jazz hub, the city has produced legends like Louis Armstrong, DJ Pierre, and Chance the Rapper. But as always, the wave of change in Chicago never slows—there’s constant push for something new. And this time, it’s classical music.
In a recent study conducted across 10 countries, it shows that specifically in the US it’s young Americans leading the charge: 49% of classical concert attendees aged 18–44 have been to three or more performances in the past year. So much for the stereotype that it’s all older concertgoers — but why is this happening?
Why are the US’s youth choosing classical music? Why now?
According to the Classical Pulse Report 2026, the real draw of this timeless genre is connection. In fact, 52% of Americans cited “sharing the experience with others” as their main reason for attending, signaling a shift toward more intimate, collective social moments—away from the club scene.
The other most cited reason, is simply to “experience classical music live”. As devoted concertgoers will tell you, it’s not just about hearing it through headphones; it’s the feeling of experiencing it live that keeps them coming back.
Classical music concerts aren’t what they once were…
According to the report, 29% of Americans interviewed state that it’s the ‘genre blending’ aspect of classical music concerts nowadays which is appealing. Makes sense—imagine a string quartet reinterpreting hip-hop beats, or your favorite film scores.
Another 26% of Americans said it was the ‘visual effects’ accompanying these classical concerts that made the events even more appealing. Maybe it’s for the Instagram posts, or purely for the vibes, but either way, it seems classical music concerts are leading a new type of charge.
And, luckily, Chicago has it all going on…
About 11% of Americans said the idea of classical music being “formal” can be off-putting. But that formality is really a faux pas—especially in Chicago’s scene. Here, the genre takes many shapes, from festivals like Thirsty Ears and Grant Park to stunning venues such as the Art Institute of Chicago and the Lyric Opera House.
Then there’s Candlelight, blending visual spectacle, unique venues, and the kind of genre-crossing performances that seem to resonate most with audiences across North America.