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Picture finding yourself with a night off. You feel rejuvenated, eager for new things, and hoping to break from your usual routine of evening scrolling. The world offers possibilities! Would you opt for a) seeing live music or b) having sex? The outcome, as is often seen with these types of hypotheticals, is obviously: “It varies.” Mature individuals might logically wonder: what is the concert? With whom is the companion? Is it likely to be good?

Hardly anyone would select a Limp Bizkit/Slipknot/Korn triple bill if the alternative was one enchanted evening with Jonathan Bailey. Yet change either end of the equation, and it turns less obvious. Regarding the 40,000 people presented with this choice by a live event company, no such clarification was provided – and the response came out unambiguously and heavily preferring live music events.

Survey Results Show Surprising Trends

An international study, interviewing 40,000 people aged between 18 and 54 in 15 markets, showed that concerts currently stand as the world’s top leisure activity, beating out athletic events, movies and – absolutely – sexual intercourse. If restricted to one type of enjoyment forever, nearly four in ten chose live music, against film attendance (17%) and athletic competitions (14%). Participants were more than twice as inclined to select attending their preferred performer in concert (70%) over sex (30%).

You appear expecting to be pleasantly surprised – and quite often you might find with a stranger's hair in your mouth

Context and Considerations

Certainly it makes sense that a marketing research conducted for a concert promoter would result so strongly in favour of live shows – and, amid the playful tone of a would-you-rather, if your top performer is, such as Paul McCartney, one can appreciate why seeing him might win out over a ordinary experience. However this either-or decision between live music or intimacy, obviously silly even if it seems, is fascinating to think about amid the peculiar point we experience with these two aspects.

The Transformation of Live Music Experience

Lately, live music participation has evolved into more than a group event but a serious endeavor. Event companies rightly note that arena crowds has “tripled annually”, and live events are fully reserved more rapidly than previously. Merely acquiring admissions now demands detailed strategy, instant reactions and significant funds (or a substantial budget). Though you’re successful, it isn't sufficient to simply turn up and enjoy the show. There’s now an expectation, at least among concertgoers, that you might enhance your return on investment by seeing several shows (even travelling internationally), studying the song selection ahead of time and understanding the rituals to perform and calls-and-responses developed through past attendees.

Numerous attendees report feeling affected by their participation at large concerts: appearing as a orchestrated show of thousands of people, where some individuals arrived unfamiliar with the steps. The extended event, producing huge revenue, was proof of the degree to which people will go to feel part of a cultural moment and watch their preferred performer perform, even if the real performance grows somewhat overshadowed by the production.

The Condition of Modern Intimacy

Sex, by contrast – a relatively cheap and accessible pleasure – faces difficult times. Per recent surveys, about a quarter of adults engaged sexually in an regular period, while nearly 30% were not engaging. Elsewhere, modern figures showed that more than 25% of individuals admitted to avoiding intimacy at all in the previous year, up from fewer people in previous decades. In these areas, the trend has been linked to reduced intimacy in youth demographics. Compare this with the sector driving growth for large concerts and the intense rivalry for tickets. Of course it isn't straightforward as a straightforward choice between both alternatives – “would you rather experience a popular event multiple times, or remain abstinent?” – but it's possibly an indication of what is viewed as the more consistent satisfaction.

Interesting Comparisons

Intimacy and concerts are more similar than you might think. They both embody the activation of a relationship, a practical trial of expectations or promise that might have amassed just in your mind. You come with some idea of the probable outcome, but expecting to be pleasantly surprised – and how it ends up enjoyable or disappointing rests largely on how your vibe and anticipations correspond with partners. Quite often you’ll end up with a stranger's hair in your mouth, and afterwards be hanging out for a smoke and personal space by yourself. Similarly for each, stimulants and beverages can potentially heighten or detract from the event (but definitely make the worst situations more bearable).

Seeking Harmony

The magic to concerts and intimacy depends on discovering that perfect combination between comfort and excitement, consistency and change, effort and ease. Of course it happens only rarely – but it’s the memory of when it worked, the knowledge that it can happen, that motivates us to give it another shot: to {