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Envision having a open night. You feel energized, eager for new things, and hoping to shake up your typical schedule of post-work slumping. The world offers possibilities! Could you choose a) going to a gig or b) having sex? The outcome, as typically true with these types of questions, is plainly: “That depends.” Thinking adults might logically inquire: what is the gig? With whom is the companion? Could it be likely to be satisfying?

Not many would select a Limp Bizkit/Slipknot/Korn triple bill if the alternative was a magical night with a favorite star. But adjust either end of the equation, and it becomes less clearcut. For the participants presented with this choice from a live event company, no additional clarification was provided – and the answer emerged clearly and overwhelmingly in favour of concerts.

Survey Results Reveal Interesting Choices

An international survey, questioning thousands of participants from 18 and 54 across 15 markets, found that concerts currently stand as the world’s top pastime, surpassing athletic events, movies and – indeed – intimacy. Given the choice to only one option of entertainment forever, 39% of respondents chose concerts, compared to watching movies (17%) and sports events (14%). The group was over two times as likely to select seeing their favourite artist live (70%) instead of sex (30%).

You show up anticipating happily shocked – and quite often you could wind up with someone else’s hair in your mouth

Context and Considerations

Certainly it’s not surprising that a marketing research conducted for a live event company might conclude so heavily preferring concerts – and, amid the playful tone of a either-or question, if your top performer is, such as a legendary singer, it's understandable why seeing him may be chosen over a ordinary situation. But this either-or decision between live music or sexual activity, clearly absurd though it may be, is noteworthy to consider considering the strange moment we face with these two aspects.

The Evolution of Gig Attendance

In recent years, live music participation has evolved into more than a shared activity but a serious endeavor. Event companies rightly note that arena crowds has “tripled year-over-year”, and music festivals are fully reserved quicker than before. Merely acquiring passes now needs detailed strategy, quick decision-making and significant funds (or a high spending capacity). Even if you manage, that alone won't do to merely attend and enjoy the show. Nowadays exists an assumption, particularly with pop fans, that you could increase your enjoyment value by seeing several shows (including overseas trips), studying the song selection ahead of time and knowing your marks to follow and fan traditions developed through past attendees.

Several fans report feeling affected by their experience at popular events: appearing as a choreographed performance of huge audiences, where particular fans turned up unaware of the routine. The extended event, earning massive sums, demonstrated of the extents that people will go to feel part of a cultural moment and experience their top musician play, though the actual music appears more and more overshadowed by the production.

The Condition of Current Relationships

Intimacy, by contrast – a relatively cheap and available enjoyment – experiences challenging circumstances. Per modern research, approximately 25% of people engaged sexually in an typical week, while about three in ten were sexually inactive. In a different nation, current statistics showed that a significant portion of individuals said they had not sex a single time in the past year, up from smaller percentages in the past. In these areas, the shift has been associated with decreased encounters with younger generations. Juxtapose this with the industry booming for stadium extravaganzas and the intense rivalry for passes. Of course it isn't straightforward as a straightforward choice between either option – “would you rather attend a huge concert multiple times, or stay celibate?” – but it’s perhaps an signal of what is viewed as the more consistent enjoyment.

Interesting Comparisons

Relationships and gigs are more comparable than one may assume. They both embody the activation of a connection, a actual experience of ideas or promise that may have developed solely in your imagination. You show up with some idea of how it’s likely to go, but hopeful of being delightfully amazed – and whether it proves good or bad depends very much on if your enthusiasm and hopes match theirs. Regularly you might find with someone else’s hair in your mouth, and later be waiting around for a smoke and personal space on your own. And, in both cases, substances and drinks can either enhance or reduce the situation (but absolutely assist the worst occasions simpler to handle).

Finding the Balance

The magic to concerts and intimacy hinges on finding that elusive sweet spot between the known and the new, similarity and difference, effort and ease. Naturally it occurs infrequently – but it's the recollection of when it worked, the knowledge that it can happen, that motivates us to attempt once more: to {