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Envision finding yourself with a free evening. You are energized, open to experience, and wanting to break from your usual routine of evening scrolling. Life itself offers possibilities! Would you prefer a) attending a concert or b) engaging in intimacy? The outcome, as frequently the case with these types of questions, is plainly: “It varies.” Reasonable people might logically inquire: what kind of the gig? Who's the companion? Is it expected to be satisfying?

Not many would select a Limp Bizkit/Slipknot/Korn triple bill if the alternative was a magical night with a beloved celebrity. However tweak either end of the scenario, and it turns less clearcut. For the 40,000 people asked this question by a live event company, no such clarification was given – and the result was revealed unambiguously and heavily preferring concerts.

Research Findings Indicate Interesting Trends

A worldwide report, polling a large sample aged between 18 and 54 in multiple countries, found that gigs currently stand as the number one form of entertainment, beating out games, films and – absolutely – intimacy. Given the choice to only one option of enjoyment for the rest of their lives, a significant portion chose live music, against going to the cinema (17%) and games (14%). They were also more than twice as prone to choose watching their top musician live (70%) rather than sex (30%).

You arrive hopeful of being happily shocked – and frequently you’ll end up with another person's locks in your mouth

Context and Considerations

Of course it’s not surprising that a promotional study conducted for a gig organizer might conclude so overwhelmingly in favour of concerts – and, amid the playful tone of a hypothetical choice, if your preferred musician is, say a legendary singer, it's understandable why watching him might win out over a ordinary situation. However this either-or decision between live music or sex, plainly ridiculous even if it seems, is fascinating to consider considering the strange point we’re at with these two aspects.

The Transformation of Concert Culture

In recent years, concert attendance has grown beyond a communal experience but a intense competition. Major promoters appropriately highlight that arena crowds has “increased threefold annually”, and live events are fully reserved faster than ever. Simply getting passes now needs detailed strategy, quick decision-making and bottomless pockets (or a generous credit card limit). Even if you’re successful, that alone won't do to just show up and enjoy the show. Nowadays exists an anticipation, at least among music enthusiasts, that you can boost your experience quality by attending more than once (potentially going abroad), learning the set list ahead of time and memorizing the cues to perform and audience interactions established by previous crowds.

Many concertgoers admit to shaken by their participation at popular events: appearing as a choreographed performance of huge audiences, where some individuals came unaware of the steps. Those lengthy event, producing huge revenue, showed of the lengths to which fans will travel to experience a significant event and see their favourite artist play, although the live sound appears more and more overshadowed by the production.

The Situation of Current Relationships

Intimacy, by contrast – a relatively cheap and accessible pleasure – faces challenging circumstances. According to recent surveys, nearly one in four of people engaged sexually in an typical week, while just under a third were sexually inactive. Elsewhere, current statistics indicated that more than 25% of individuals reported not having intimacy at all in the past year, rising from lower numbers in previous decades. In these areas, the shift has been attributed to less sexual activity with younger generations. Contrast this with the industry booming for large concerts and the intense rivalry for passes. Of course it’s not as simple as a simple decision between either option – “do you prefer experience a popular event multiple times, or remain abstinent?” – but it's possibly an indication of what is viewed as the more dependable satisfaction.

Interesting Comparisons

Relationships and gigs are more similar than one may assume. Both represent the activation of a connection, a practical trial of expectations or potential that could have built solely in your imagination. You come with a basic expectation of what might happen, but anticipating delightfully amazed – and how it ends up good or bad rests largely on how your vibe and anticipations match theirs. Frequently you could wind up with another person's locks in your mouth, and afterwards be waiting around for a smoke and some quiet time alone. Likewise with either, substances and drinks can either enhance or reduce the experience (but definitely make the worst occasions easier to weather).

Finding the Balance

The wonder to live events and relationships depends on locating that perfect combination between familiarity and novelty, similarity and difference, effort and ease. Naturally it's uncommon – but it's the remembrance of when it worked, the awareness that it’s possible, that drives us to try again: to {