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Picture having a open night. You're feeling rejuvenated, open to experience, and looking to change your usual routine of post-work slumping. Your options is your oyster! Would you choose a) attending a concert or b) engaging in intimacy? The answer, as is often true with these types of hypotheticals, is plainly: “It varies.” Reasonable people could understandably ask: what kind of the show? Who's the partner? Will it be going to be enjoyable?

Not many would select a intense rock concert if the other option was a magical night with a favorite star. However tweak any part of the equation, and it becomes less clearcut. In the case of the 40,000 people presented with this choice by a major concert promoter, no further context was given – and the response was revealed clearly and strongly preferring live music events.

Study Data Show Surprising Trends

A worldwide survey, questioning 40,000 people ranging from 18 and 54 across 15 markets, showed that gigs are now the number one leisure activity, surpassing athletic events, cinema and – yes – sex. When limited to one type of entertainment for the rest of their lives, nearly four in ten selected concerts, versus watching movies (17%) and athletic competitions (14%). Participants were more than twice as prone to choose seeing their favourite artist on stage (70%) over sexual activity (30%).

You appear expecting to be delightfully amazed – and frequently you might find with a stranger's hair in your mouth

Perspectives and Analysis

Naturally it's expected that a PR survey carried out for a concert promoter might conclude so heavily in favour of concerts – and, amid the playful mood of a would-you-rather, if your favourite artist is, such as an iconic star, one can appreciate why watching him may be chosen rather than a ordinary experience. But this either-or decision between concerts or sexual activity, clearly absurd as it is, is fascinating to think about amid the peculiar moment we experience with these two aspects.

The Change of Live Music Experience

Over the past few years, concert attendance has evolved into more than a shared activity but a competitive sport. Major promoters rightly note that arena crowds has “increased threefold each year”, and music festivals are fully reserved more rapidly than previously. Simply getting admissions now requires military-level planning, quick decision-making and deep finances (or a substantial budget). Even if you manage, that alone won't do to just show up and watch the performance. There’s now an assumption, especially for pop fans, that you could increase your return on investment by attending more than once (potentially going abroad), learning the performance lineup ahead of time and knowing your marks to perform and calls-and-responses established by previous crowds.

Several attendees report feeling shaken by their experience at large concerts: what seemed like a choreographed performance of huge audiences, where certain attendees came unaware of the steps. The extended concert series, earning massive sums, was proof of the degree to which people will go to experience a historic occasion and watch their preferred performer play, although the real performance appears more and more less important than the show.

The Condition of Contemporary Sexuality

Intimacy, conversely – an affordable and available enjoyment – faces difficult times. Per contemporary studies, approximately 25% of individuals had sex in an regular period, while nearly 30% were not engaging. In a different nation, current statistics indicated that a significant portion of adults admitted to avoiding sexual activity even once in the last twelve months, rising from fewer people in the past. Across these regions, the change has been associated with decreased encounters with younger generations. Compare this with the sector driving growth for major events and the cutthroat competition for passes. Of course it isn't straightforward as a simple decision between either option – “could you choose attend a huge concert multiple times, or avoid intimacy?” – but it’s perhaps an signal of what is viewed as the more consistent enjoyment.

Unexpected Similarities

Sex and live music are closer aligned than you might think. Each symbolizes the initiation of a bond, a practical trial of ideas or potential that might have amassed only in your head. You arrive with some idea of the probable outcome, but anticipating delightfully amazed – and how it ends up good or bad depends very much on if your enthusiasm and anticipations align with others. Quite often you could wind up with another person's locks in your mouth, and following be lingering for a break and personal space alone. Similarly for each, substances and drinks can either enhance or reduce the event (but certainly help the worst situations more bearable).

Finding the Balance

The appeal to live events and relationships relies on locating that perfect combination between comfort and excitement, similarity and difference, challenge and comfort. Certainly it happens only rarely – but it's the recollection of when they did, the knowledge that it can happen, that inspires us to attempt once more: to {