Streaming of Religious Songs Experiences High Surge During Ramadan

JAKARTA - Streaming platform Spotify has captured a significant shift in Indonesian people's audio consumption behavior during the holy month of Ramadan.

Based on the latest data, the trend of listening to religious-themed music has recorded a spike of almost double compared to normal weeks.

This phenomenon emphasizes that audio has become a crucial instrument for people in building a spiritual atmosphere both personally and collectively.

Dimas Ario as Lead Music Editor of Spotify Indonesia explained, this change in pattern does not occur randomly, but follows the rhythm of social and ritual worship that the community carries out.

Spotify also responded to this dynamic by curating more specific and contextual playlists to accompany every phase of Ramadan, from sahur, moments of self-reflection, to the bustle of the homecoming tradition.

"Data helps us see patterns of listening habits, but it is the understanding of the cultural context that explains the meaning of these patterns," said Dimas through a press release to VOI, Thursday, February 26.

"Ramadan is very personal, but also collective. Understanding this allows us to curate playlists that are relevant to the various moments that users experience during Ramadan," he continued.

Dimas added that during the holy month, listeners tend to seek tranquility through reflective music. On the other hand, communal aspects such as the tradition of breaking the fast together (bukber) also trigger the rise of the nostalgia music genre.

Music from the 2000s and 2010s is often the "soundtrack" of reunions for those who get together with old friends or former colleagues.

"This bukber phenomenon brings together people from various phases of life where each group has its own soundtrack. We present this feeling through nostalgic playlists such as the Best 2000s and Ngetren 2010s which can evoke memories together," he said. "On the other hand, for listeners who choose to spend Ramadan calmly and more reflective, we also curate playlists such as Sejuknya Ramadan and Ramadan Kamu 2026."

For Spotify, the role of curation is not just presenting a list of songs, but ensuring that every content found by users feels in tune with the emotions and moments they are experiencing in this blessed month.