YUNGBLUD surprises fans at Mumbai Pop-Up at the first-ever India-exclusive merch collab with Aaquib Wani

Mumbai, 26^th January 2026: Global music sensation YUNGBLUD marked a defining moment in his career with his highly anticipated India debut at Lollapalooza India, delivering a blistering live set that sent fans into a frenzy and cemented his powerful connection with Indian audiences.

The excitement continued over the weekend with fan led pop-up experiences at antiSOCIAL, Mumbai, organised by Universal Music India. What began as a merchandise and community driven event quickly transformed into a high-energy celebration of YUNGBLUD’s fanbase, with attendees lining up early, singing along to his tracks, exploring India-exclusive merchandise, and sharing personal stories inspired by his music.

The atmosphere peaked when YUNGBLUD made a surprise entry, instantly sending the crowd into a frenzy. The artist stayed back for an impromptu, free-flowing meet-and-greet, signing T-shirts, guitars, posters, and personal memorabilia, posing for pictures, and interacting closely with fans. The intimate and electric experience left attendees visibly thrilled and deeply moved.

Fans described the moment as intimate, chaotic in the best way, and unforgettable, further reinforcing YUNGBLUD’s reputation as a truly fan-first artist. Many left the pop-up beaming, having experienced a rare and personal connection with the artist.

Coinciding with his India debut, Universal Music India also launched YUNGBLUD’s first-ever India-exclusive merchandise collection, created in collaboration with acclaimed Indian designer Aaquib Wani. The collaboration marks a historic first — an international artist partnering directly with an Indian designer on official merchandise, underscoring India’s growing influence in global music and fashion culture.

“Working with YUNGBLUD has been an incredible experience. His music carries a raw honesty that aligns with my creative approach. Together, we reimagined Indian heritage from architectural arches to astrological forms — into bold, contemporary designs that reflect his rebellious spirit. This collection is more than merchandise; it’s a cultural fusion, a statement of identity and energy, and a piece of both our worlds for fans to experience”, shared Aaquib Wani, esteemed fashion designer.

The Aaquib Wani × YUNGBLUD collection fuses YUNGBLUD’s raw, rebellious ethos with Wani’s distinct design language rooted in Indian heritage. The designs reinterpret architectural arches, ancient astrological forms, and historical symbolism through a bold, contemporary lens. At the heart of the collection lies the serpent motif, symbolising duality, transformation, and untamed energy — themes that resonate deeply with both YUNGBLUD’s music and Wani’s creative philosophy.

Viral Jani, Chief Revenue Officer, UMG India & South, commented, “YUNGBLUD’s debut in India was a true cultural moment, met with an incredible response from fans at Lollapalooza and the Mumbai official merch pop-up. His collaboration with the exceptionally talented Aaquib Wani marks a landmark first, directly partnering with a leading Indian designer on official merchandise. What stood out was how authentically YUNGBLUD showed up for his fans, creating a deeply personal experience. At its core, our merchandise business is about transforming fandom into meaningful connections, and this collaboration highlights how international artists are embracing India’s culture to create special, locally relevant moments for Indian fans”.

The collaboration grew organically from Wani’s admiration for YUNGBLUD’s authenticity and genre-defying artistry, resulting in a collection that feels deeply personal, culturally layered, and unapologetically disruptive.

The pop-up launch received an overwhelming response, highlighting YUNGBLUD’s rapidly expanding fanbase in India and the growing appetite for immersive, culture-driven experiences. The initiative also reflects Universal Music India’s fan-first approach, positioning merchandise as an extension of storytelling, identity, and community-building.

The India-exclusive YUNGBLUD × Aaquib Wani collection is now available online via The Noise Culture.

Shop the collection: https://thenoiseculture.com/pages/yungblud-x-aaquib-wani-x-tnc