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Picture being gifted with a open night. You are refreshed, eager for new things, and hoping to break from your regular habits of post-work slumping. Life itself awaits your choice! Do you opt for a) going to a gig or b) engaging in intimacy? The response, as frequently true with these sorts of questions, is plainly: “It depends.” Mature individuals might logically inquire: what is the show? With whom is the companion? Is it likely to be satisfying?

Not many would pick a intense rock concert if the choice was one enchanted evening with a favorite star. But adjust any part of the comparison, and it grows less clearcut. In the case of the thousands surveyed asked this question by a live event company, no such clarification was offered – and the response was revealed decisively and strongly supporting live music events.

Research Findings Show Interesting Preferences

A global report, polling thousands of participants aged between 18 and 54 across multiple countries, found that live music are now the number one leisure activity, surpassing games, movies and – yes – sexual intercourse. When limited to one type of activity for the rest of their lives, a significant portion chose concerts, compared to watching movies (17%) and games (14%). Participants were significantly more as inclined to prefer attending their preferred performer on stage (70%) instead of sex (30%).

You appear hopeful of being pleasantly surprised – and frequently you could wind up with another person's locks in your mouth

Context and Considerations

Certainly it makes sense that a promotional study carried out for a gig organizer might conclude so heavily supporting gigs – and, in the freewheeling spirit of a would-you-rather, if your preferred musician is, such as an iconic star, you can see why seeing him may be chosen rather than a ordinary encounter. But this binary choice between concerts or intimacy, clearly absurd even if it seems, is fascinating to think about given the odd juncture we experience with these two aspects.

The Evolution of Concert Culture

Over the past few years, concert attendance has evolved into more than a communal experience but a intense competition. Major promoters duly point out that large venue turnout has “tripled annually”, and music festivals sell out quicker than before. Merely acquiring passes now demands extensive preparation, quick decision-making and significant funds (or a generous credit card limit). Though you succeed, that alone won't do to simply turn up and experience the event. Nowadays exists an assumption, particularly with concertgoers, that you could increase your enjoyment value by seeing several shows (including overseas trips), learning the set list in advance and knowing your marks to follow and audience interactions created by past attendees.

Several attendees describe being shaken by their experience at major tours: what felt like a choreographed performance of massive crowds, where some individuals arrived not knowing the steps. The extended event, producing huge revenue, was proof of the degree to which people will go to experience a significant event and experience their top musician play, although the actual music seems increasingly overshadowed by the show.

The Situation of Current Relationships

Sex, conversely – an affordable and common experience – experiences difficult times. According to recent surveys, about a quarter of people had sex in an typical week, while just under a third were abstaining. In a different nation, current statistics indicated that more than 25% of people reported not having sexual activity at all in the previous year, increasing from lower numbers in earlier years. Across these regions, the trend has been attributed to reduced intimacy in youth demographics. Compare this with the sector booming for large concerts and the fierce battle for admissions. Of course it isn't straightforward as a basic option between one or the other – “do you prefer see a major tour often, or stay celibate?” – but it’s perhaps an sign of how people see the more consistent satisfaction.

Interesting Comparisons

Sex and live music are more similar than people often believe. They both embody the commencement of a connection, a real-world test of expectations or promise that might have amassed solely in your imagination. You show up with a basic expectation of what might happen, but anticipating delightfully amazed – and if it turns out good or bad depends very much on if your enthusiasm and hopes match theirs. Frequently you’ll end up with someone else’s hair in your mouth, and afterwards be hanging out for a cigarette and a moment alone on your own. Likewise with either, stimulants and beverages can sometimes improve or reduce the event (but certainly help the most unpleasant situations easier to weather).

Finding the Balance

The magic to both gigs and sex depends on locating that hard-to-find balance between the known and the new, similarity and difference, challenge and comfort. Certainly it occurs infrequently – but it’s the memory of successful moments, the awareness that success is achievable, that inspires us to try again: to {