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Envision finding yourself with a night off. You feel rejuvenated, ready for adventure, and wanting to break from your regular habits of evening scrolling. Your options is your oyster! Do you prefer a) seeing live music or b) having sex? The answer, as frequently the case with these sorts of hypotheticals, is clearly: “It depends.” Thinking adults could understandably wonder: what kind of the show? With whom is the partner? Will it be likely to be enjoyable?

Hardly anyone would choose a heavy metal lineup if the other option was a dream date with a favorite star. However tweak one side of the equation, and it grows less obvious. For the 40,000 people presented with this choice by a major concert promoter, no additional context was offered – and the response was revealed clearly and strongly supporting concerts.

Research Findings Show Unexpected Preferences

A worldwide survey, polling a large sample aged between 18 and 54 in 15 markets, revealed that concerts currently stand as the world’s top leisure activity, surpassing sports, films and – yes – sex. Given the choice to a single form of entertainment permanently, 39% of respondents selected gigs, against going to the cinema (17%) and sports events (14%). Participants were more than twice as prone to choose seeing their favourite artist live (70%) rather than intimacy (30%).

You appear expecting to be delightfully amazed – and quite often you could wind up with someone else’s hair in your mouth

Context and Considerations

Of course it makes sense that a PR survey commissioned by a gig organizer might conclude so strongly supporting concerts – and, with the speculative spirit of a hypothetical choice, if your top performer is, such as Paul McCartney, it's understandable why seeing him might win out instead of a routine situation. But this two-option scenario between gigs or intimacy, plainly ridiculous though it may be, is interesting to reflect on considering the strange point we face with each.

The Transformation of Live Music Experience

Over the past few years, live music participation has evolved into more than a shared activity but a competitive sport. Major promoters appropriately highlight that large venue turnout has “grown significantly each year”, and festivals sell out more rapidly than previously. Just obtaining passes now needs extensive preparation, quick decision-making and bottomless pockets (or a high spending capacity). Although you’re successful, that alone won't do to just show up and watch the performance. Currently there is an assumption, especially for pop fans, that you could increase your enjoyment value by going multiple times (even travelling internationally), learning the performance lineup in advance and memorizing the cues to follow and audience interactions developed through past attendees.

Numerous concertgoers describe being scarred by their experience at popular events: what felt like a choreographed performance of thousands of people, where particular fans arrived unfamiliar with the protocol. Those lengthy tour, producing huge revenue, demonstrated of the lengths to which people will go to participate in a cultural moment and see their favourite artist perform, even if the actual music seems increasingly secondary to the spectacle.

The Situation of Contemporary Sexuality

Sexual activity, on the other hand – an accessible and common experience – is in difficult times. Per modern research, approximately 25% of individuals had sex in an regular period, while nearly 30% were not engaging. Elsewhere, modern figures indicated that a significant portion of adults reported not having sexual activity even once in the last twelve months, rising from fewer people in earlier years. In both territories, the change has been associated with decreased encounters with younger generations. Compare this with the market driving growth for stadium extravaganzas and the cutthroat competition for tickets. Naturally it isn't straightforward as a simple decision between both alternatives – “could you choose see a major tour often, or remain abstinent?” – but it might be an signal of which is perceived as the more consistent enjoyment.

Unexpected Similarities

Sex and live music are more similar than you might think. Both represent the activation of a bond, a actual experience of impressions or possibility that could have built solely in your imagination. You arrive with some idea of how it’s likely to go, but anticipating happily shocked – and if it turns out enjoyable or disappointing depends very much on how your vibe and hopes match theirs. Regularly you’ll end up with another person's locks in your mouth, and afterwards be lingering for a cigarette and a moment alone on your own. Similarly for each, substances and drinks can sometimes improve or lessen the situation (but absolutely assist the worst experiences simpler to handle).

Seeking Harmony

The magic to both gigs and sex relies on locating that hard-to-find balance between the known and the new, similarity and difference, effort and ease. Of course it's uncommon – but it's the recollection of when it worked, the awareness that it’s possible, that inspires us to attempt once more: to {