A Night Out to Remember: Is Live Music Really Preferred Over Sex?

Envision having a night off. You feel refreshed, eager for new things, and looking to change your typical schedule of post-work slumping. The world awaits your choice! Would you prefer a) going to a gig or b) having sex? The answer, as is often the case with these types of queries, is plainly: “It depends.” Thinking adults could understandably ask: what's the show? Who is the other person? Is it going to be satisfying?

Not many would choose a intense rock concert if the choice was a dream date with a favorite star. But adjust any part of the scenario, and it becomes less clearcut. For the 40,000 people presented with this choice by a live event company, no such context was offered – and the result emerged clearly and strongly supporting concerts.

Survey Results Indicate Unexpected Trends

An international report, interviewing a large sample aged between 18 and 54 from different nations, showed that live music currently stand as the number one pastime, surpassing games, films and – indeed – sex. When limited to a single form of entertainment permanently, 39% of respondents selected live music, against watching movies (17%) and athletic competitions (14%). Participants were over two times as likely to choose seeing their favourite artist in concert (70%) rather than sex (30%).

You appear hopeful of being happily shocked – and quite often you might find with a stranger's hair in your mouth

Factors and Reflections

Naturally it makes sense that a PR survey conducted for a live event company might conclude so heavily supporting live shows – and, amid the playful spirit of a hypothetical choice, if your preferred musician is, such as Paul McCartney, one can appreciate why attending his concert may be chosen instead of a common or garden experience. But this binary choice between live music or sexual activity, obviously silly though it may be, is interesting to consider given the odd juncture we face with these two aspects.

The Change of Concert Culture

In recent years, live music participation has become not just a group event but a serious endeavor. Event companies appropriately highlight that arena crowds has “increased threefold each year”, and music festivals sell out more rapidly than previously. Merely acquiring tickets now needs extensive preparation, rapid-fire response times and significant funds (or a substantial budget). Even if you manage, it isn't sufficient to simply turn up and experience the event. There’s now an anticipation, especially for concertgoers, that you might enhance your experience quality by seeing several shows (including overseas trips), swotting up on the song selection ahead of time and memorizing the cues to follow and calls-and-responses developed through previous crowds.

Numerous attendees admit to scarred by their experience at large concerts: what felt like a orchestrated show of massive crowds, where certain attendees turned up unfamiliar with the steps. That 18-month tour, generating billions, showed of the degree to which people will go to experience a significant event and see their favourite artist perform, though the actual music seems increasingly overshadowed by the show.

The State of Modern Intimacy

Sex, on the other hand – a relatively cheap and common experience – is in difficult times. Based on contemporary studies, about a quarter of individuals had sex in an regular period, while nearly 30% were not engaging. In another major country, modern figures indicated that more than 25% of individuals reported not having intimacy even once in the past year, increasing from fewer people in the past. In both territories, the shift has been linked to reduced intimacy in youth demographics. Contrast this with the sector expanding rapidly for large concerts and the cutthroat competition for passes. Of course it isn't straightforward as a straightforward choice between both alternatives – “would you rather experience a popular event repeatedly, or stay celibate?” – but it’s perhaps an sign of what is viewed as the more consistent pleasure.

Unexpected Similarities

Sex and live music are more similar than people often believe. Each symbolizes the commencement of a connection, a real-world test of impressions or possibility that may have developed solely in your imagination. You show up with some idea of what might happen, but anticipating delightfully amazed – and how it ends up satisfying or frustrating rests largely on how your vibe and expectations correspond with partners. Frequently you might find with a stranger's hair in your mouth, and following be waiting around for a smoke and a moment alone on your own. Likewise with either, drugs and alcohol can sometimes improve or lessen the situation (but definitely make the most dire experiences easier to weather).

Seeking Harmony

The appeal to concerts and intimacy depends on discovering that elusive sweet spot between comfort and excitement, consistency and change, effort and ease. Of course it's uncommon – but it’s the memory of successful moments, the awareness that it can happen, that inspires us to attempt once more: to {