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Picture being gifted with a open night. You are rejuvenated, eager for new things, and looking to change your usual routine of post-work slumping. Your options awaits your choice! Could you prefer a) going to a gig or b) being with a partner? The outcome, as frequently the case with such kinds of questions, is plainly: “That depends.” Reasonable people could understandably ask: what is the show? Who's the other person? Will it be likely to be satisfying?

Hardly anyone would choose a Limp Bizkit/Slipknot/Korn triple bill if the choice was a dream date with Jonathan Bailey. Yet change one side of the comparison, and it becomes more complicated. Regarding the participants asked this question through a live event company, no additional context was offered – and the response was revealed unambiguously and overwhelmingly preferring live music events.

Survey Results Indicate Surprising Preferences

An international survey, questioning thousands of participants aged between 18 and 54 in multiple countries, revealed that live music have become the world’s top form of entertainment, beating out athletic events, films and – indeed – sex. When limited to only one option of enjoyment permanently, a significant portion picked live music, against film attendance (17%) and athletic competitions (14%). Participants were significantly more as prone to select attending their preferred performer in concert (70%) rather than intimacy (30%).

You show up hopeful of being delightfully amazed – and frequently you could wind up with someone else’s hair in your mouth

Factors and Reflections

Certainly it’s not surprising that a promotional study commissioned by a concert promoter would result so heavily in favour of gigs – and, with the speculative spirit of a either-or question, if your favourite artist is, say an iconic star, one can appreciate why seeing him may be chosen over a ordinary situation. However this binary choice between live music or sex, plainly ridiculous even if it seems, is noteworthy to consider considering the strange point we face with both.

The Transformation of Live Music Experience

In recent years, live music participation has evolved into more than a shared activity but a serious endeavor. Major promoters duly point out that arena crowds has “grown significantly each year”, and music festivals sell out quicker than before. Merely acquiring tickets now requires detailed strategy, quick decision-making and bottomless pockets (or a substantial budget). Though you’re successful, it isn't sufficient to merely attend and enjoy the show. Nowadays exists an expectation, especially for music enthusiasts, that you can boost your experience quality by seeing several shows (including overseas trips), studying the set list in advance and understanding the rituals to perform and calls-and-responses created by previous crowds.

Numerous concertgoers admit to shaken by their participation at popular events: what felt like a choreographed performance of massive crowds, in which particular fans turned up unfamiliar with the routine. The extended tour, producing huge revenue, showed of the extents that attendees will push to participate in a significant event and see their favourite artist perform, even if the actual music appears more and more overshadowed by the spectacle.

The Condition of Modern Intimacy

Sex, conversely – an affordable and common experience – is in challenging circumstances. Based on contemporary studies, nearly one in four of people were intimate in an average week, while nearly 30% were sexually inactive. In another major country, current statistics showed that a significant portion of adults reported not having sex at all in the past year, increasing from lower numbers in the past. In both territories, the trend has been associated with less sexual activity in youth demographics. Contrast this with the industry driving growth for stadium extravaganzas and the intense rivalry for admissions. Of course it's more complicated as a basic option between one or the other – “would you rather experience a popular event multiple times, or avoid intimacy?” – but it’s perhaps an sign of which is perceived as the more consistent enjoyment.

Unexpected Similarities

Relationships and gigs are more similar than one may assume. They both embody the initiation of a bond, a actual experience of impressions or potential that might have amassed only in your head. You show up with a general notion of the probable outcome, but anticipating delightfully amazed – and if it turns out satisfying or frustrating rests largely on how your vibe and anticipations align with others. Regularly you could wind up with someone else’s hair in your mouth, and later be lingering for a break and personal space alone. Likewise with either, substances and drinks can potentially heighten or detract from the event (but absolutely assist the most unpleasant experiences simpler to handle).

Achieving Equilibrium

The appeal to live events and relationships relies on discovering that elusive sweet spot between comfort and excitement, consistency and change, challenge and comfort. Certainly it's uncommon – but it's the remembrance of when they did, the awareness that it’s possible, that drives us to attempt once more: to {