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Imagine finding yourself with a free evening. You feel energized, eager for new things, and wanting to break from your usual routine of post-work slumping. Life itself offers possibilities! Could you prefer a) attending a concert or b) engaging in intimacy? The response, as frequently true with such kinds of queries, is obviously: “It depends.” Mature individuals might logically inquire: what kind of the gig? Who's the partner? Could it be expected to be enjoyable?

Not many would choose a intense rock concert if the alternative was a magical night with a favorite star. However tweak either end of the scenario, and it turns less clearcut. In the case of the participants asked this question by a live event company, no further details was provided – and the result came out clearly and overwhelmingly in favour of live music events.

Survey Results Indicate Unexpected Preferences

An international report, questioning thousands of participants from 18 and 54 in different nations, found that live music are now the most popular pastime, beating out athletic events, cinema and – absolutely – intimacy. Given the choice to a single form of activity for the rest of their lives, 39% of respondents chose live music, versus watching movies (17%) and games (14%). Participants were more than twice as inclined to select watching their top musician on stage (70%) rather than sexual activity (30%).

You arrive hopeful of being happily shocked – and frequently you might find with another person's locks in your mouth

Perspectives and Analysis

Certainly it's expected that a promotional study commissioned by a concert promoter would result so strongly supporting concerts – and, in the freewheeling spirit of a either-or question, if your top performer is, say a legendary singer, you can see why seeing him could prevail over a common or garden situation. However this binary choice between concerts or sex, obviously silly as it is, is noteworthy to think about given the odd juncture we face with these two aspects.

The Change of Concert Culture

Lately, live music participation has grown beyond a group event but a serious endeavor. Event companies appropriately highlight that large venue turnout has “tripled year-over-year”, and music festivals are fully reserved more rapidly than previously. Merely acquiring admissions now demands detailed strategy, quick decision-making and significant funds (or a substantial budget). Although you manage, that alone won't do to merely attend and enjoy the show. There’s now an anticipation, especially for pop fans, that you could increase your return on investment by seeing several shows (potentially going abroad), studying the song selection in advance and knowing your marks to perform and fan traditions developed through previous crowds.

Several concertgoers admit to scarred by their participation at popular events: appearing as a scripted production of thousands of people, to which some individuals turned up not knowing the protocol. That 18-month event, earning massive sums, showed of the lengths to which attendees will push to feel part of a cultural moment and watch their preferred performer perform, even if the actual music seems increasingly overshadowed by the spectacle.

The Situation of Current Relationships

Sex, on the other hand – an accessible and accessible pleasure – faces difficult times. Based on recent surveys, about a quarter of adults were intimate in an typical week, while about three in ten were abstaining. Elsewhere, current statistics showed that over a quarter of individuals reported not having sex even once in the last twelve months, increasing from fewer people in previous decades. In these areas, the change has been attributed to decreased encounters among younger people. Compare this with the market driving growth for large concerts and the cutthroat competition for tickets. Certainly it’s not as simple as a basic option between either option – “do you prefer attend a huge concert multiple times, or stay celibate?” – but it might be an sign of what is viewed as the more reliable enjoyment.

Surprising Parallels

Intimacy and concerts are more similar than people often believe. Each symbolizes the initiation of a bond, a real-world test of expectations or potential that might have amassed just in your mind. You come with a basic expectation of what might happen, but hopeful of being delightfully amazed – and whether it proves enjoyable or disappointing depends very much on whether your energy and hopes match theirs. Frequently you’ll end up with a stranger's hair in your mouth, and later be hanging out for a cigarette and some quiet time on your own. Likewise with either, substances and drinks can potentially heighten or detract from the situation (but absolutely assist the most unpleasant occasions simpler to handle).

Seeking Harmony

The magic to concerts and intimacy relies on finding that hard-to-find balance between familiarity and novelty, sameness and variation, challenge and comfort. Certainly it occurs infrequently – but it’s the memory of when they did, the understanding that success is achievable, that inspires us to attempt once more: to {