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Picture being gifted with a night off. You are rejuvenated, ready for adventure, and wanting to change your typical schedule of evening scrolling. Life itself offers possibilities! Do you prefer a) going to a gig or b) having sex? The outcome, as is often the case with such kinds of hypotheticals, is plainly: “It depends.” Reasonable people may reasonably ask: what kind of the gig? With whom is the other person? Is it going to be enjoyable?

Few would select a Limp Bizkit/Slipknot/Korn triple bill if the other option was a magical night with Jonathan Bailey. However tweak one side of the equation, and it turns more complicated. For the 40,000 people posed this query by a live event company, no additional clarification was given – and the result came out clearly and strongly supporting gigs.

Survey Results Reveal Interesting Choices

A global study, questioning 40,000 people aged between 18 and 54 from 15 markets, found that gigs are now the number one leisure activity, surpassing athletic events, films and – absolutely – intimacy. Given the choice to a single form of enjoyment for the rest of their lives, a significant portion selected gigs, compared to going to the cinema (17%) and games (14%). The group was over two times as prone to select watching their top musician live (70%) over sex (30%).

You arrive anticipating delightfully amazed – and frequently you could wind up with someone else’s hair in your mouth

Perspectives and Analysis

Of course it's expected that a promotional study carried out for a live event company might conclude so strongly in favour of gigs – and, in the freewheeling tone of a hypothetical choice, if your favourite artist is, such as Paul McCartney, it's understandable why attending his concert could prevail rather than a common or garden situation. However this two-option scenario between gigs or sexual activity, plainly ridiculous as it is, is noteworthy to think about amid the peculiar juncture we face with these two aspects.

The Transformation of Gig Attendance

Lately, concert attendance has evolved into more than a communal experience but a competitive sport. Major promoters appropriately highlight that stadium attendance has “grown significantly year-over-year”, and festivals are fully reserved quicker than before. Merely acquiring admissions now demands military-level planning, instant reactions and bottomless pockets (or a substantial budget). Though you succeed, it isn't sufficient to just show up and watch the performance. Currently there is an anticipation, at least among music enthusiasts, that you can boost your return on investment by attending more than once (even travelling internationally), studying the set list in advance and memorizing the cues to hit and fan traditions established by past attendees.

Many concertgoers describe being scarred by their experience at popular events: appearing as a choreographed performance of thousands of people, where some individuals came unaware of the steps. That 18-month tour, generating billions, was proof of the degree to which attendees will push to feel part of a historic occasion and see their favourite artist sing, although the actual music seems increasingly less important than the production.

The Condition of Modern Intimacy

Intimacy, on the other hand – a relatively cheap and available enjoyment – is in challenging circumstances. According to recent surveys, about a quarter of individuals engaged sexually in an average week, while nearly 30% were abstaining. In another major country, recent data indicated that more than 25% of individuals said they had not sexual activity at all in the previous year, up from lower numbers in the past. In both territories, the change has been linked to decreased encounters in youth demographics. Contrast this with the sector driving growth for stadium extravaganzas and the intense rivalry for tickets. Of course it isn't straightforward as a simple decision between one or the other – “would you rather see a major tour multiple times, or remain abstinent?” – but it’s perhaps an signal of which is perceived as the more dependable satisfaction.

Surprising Parallels

Relationships and gigs are more comparable than people often believe. They both embody the activation of a connection, a practical trial of impressions or potential that could have built solely in your imagination. You come with some idea of what might happen, but expecting to be pleasantly surprised – and if it turns out satisfying or frustrating relies heavily on how your vibe and expectations match theirs. Regularly you might find with someone else’s hair in your mouth, and following be hanging out for a smoke and a moment alone alone. And, in both cases, drugs and alcohol can sometimes improve or reduce the experience (but certainly help the worst experiences simpler to handle).

Seeking Harmony

The wonder to live events and relationships hinges on discovering that perfect combination between comfort and excitement, sameness and variation, challenge and comfort. Certainly it occurs infrequently – but it’s the memory of when they did, the knowledge that success is achievable, that inspires us to attempt once more: to {