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Envision finding yourself with a night off. You are refreshed, open to experience, and hoping 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 typically true with these types of questions, is obviously: “It depends.” Reasonable people may reasonably wonder: what's the show? Who is the partner? Is it likely to be satisfying?

Hardly anyone would pick a Limp Bizkit/Slipknot/Korn triple bill if the choice was one enchanted evening with a favorite star. Yet change either end of the equation, and it turns less obvious. Regarding the 40,000 people posed this query by a gig organization, no additional details was given – and the response came out decisively and overwhelmingly in favour of concerts.

Research Findings Indicate Surprising Choices

A global study, interviewing a large sample aged between 18 and 54 in multiple countries, found that concerts are now the world’s top pastime, surpassing games, cinema and – absolutely – sexual intercourse. Given the choice to only one option of activity for the rest of their lives, a significant portion chose gigs, versus going to the cinema (17%) and athletic competitions (14%). They were also over two times as likely to prefer attending their preferred performer in concert (70%) rather than sexual activity (30%).

You appear anticipating happily shocked – and regularly you’ll end up with another person's locks in your mouth

Context and Considerations

Certainly it makes sense that a marketing research carried out for a concert promoter should come out so strongly supporting concerts – and, in the freewheeling mood of a hypothetical choice, if your favourite artist is, for example a legendary singer, it's understandable why watching him could prevail instead of a common or garden situation. Yet this either-or decision between live music or intimacy, plainly ridiculous as it is, is fascinating to consider given the odd moment we’re at with both.

The Change of Gig Attendance

In recent years, gig-going has evolved into more than a group event but a serious endeavor. Event companies appropriately highlight that arena crowds has “grown significantly annually”, and music festivals are fully reserved quicker than before. Just obtaining tickets now requires military-level planning, quick decision-making and deep finances (or a generous credit card limit). Although you manage, it isn't sufficient to simply turn up and watch the performance. Currently there is an expectation, particularly with concertgoers, that you might enhance your return on investment by going multiple times (including overseas trips), swotting up on the performance lineup in advance and memorizing the cues to perform and audience interactions created by previous crowds.

Numerous attendees describe being affected by their experience at large concerts: what seemed like a scripted production of thousands of people, in which particular fans turned up unfamiliar with the steps. The extended tour, producing huge revenue, was proof of the lengths to which attendees will push to feel part of a cultural moment and see their favourite artist sing, although the live sound seems increasingly less important than the production.

The Situation of Modern Intimacy

Sex, by contrast – an affordable and accessible pleasure – experiences challenging circumstances. Based on contemporary studies, nearly one in four of people engaged sexually in an regular period, while about three in ten were abstaining. Elsewhere, modern figures indicated that over a quarter of individuals reported not having sex a single time in the past year, rising from smaller percentages in earlier years. In both territories, the trend has been associated with less sexual activity in youth demographics. Juxtapose this with the industry expanding rapidly for large concerts and the fierce battle for passes. Certainly it’s not as simple as a simple decision between both alternatives – “would you rather experience a popular event multiple times, or stay celibate?” – but it’s perhaps an sign of which is perceived as the more reliable satisfaction.

Interesting Comparisons

Intimacy and concerts are more similar than you might think. Both represent the commencement of a connection, a actual experience of impressions or potential that may have developed solely in your imagination. You show up with some idea of what might happen, but expecting to be delightfully amazed – and if it turns out good or bad relies heavily on how your vibe and expectations match theirs. Quite often you could wind up with a stranger's hair in your mouth, and later be hanging out for a smoke and some quiet time alone. Likewise with either, stimulants and beverages can sometimes improve or lessen the situation (but definitely make the most unpleasant experiences simpler to handle).

Finding the Balance

The wonder to concerts and intimacy depends on discovering that perfect combination between the known and the new, similarity and difference, challenge and comfort. Certainly it happens only rarely – but it's the remembrance of successful moments, the understanding that success is achievable, that inspires us to try again: to {