CMU School of Drama


Friday, September 28, 2018

Live Nation Study Says Fans More Likely to Value Live Music Over Sex

Amplify: Live Nation has released the full extent of their Power of Live study, and respondents reported they were 10 percent more likely to value live music over sex. The study states that 71 percent of those surveyed believe “the moments that give me the most life are live experiences.”

5 comments:

Sidney R. said...

Seeing a band live is an experience unlike any other. Recordings through iPhone speakers, vinyl record players, or even high-quality sound systems will never be the same as the pure electricity one feels in the presence of a true musician. Music becomes such a key element of one’s life because it is often associated with memories; some of my favorite moments to reflect on are those Sunday mornings when my dad would play his records from the 80’s on our turntable. Yet the quality and impact of the experience is only amplified when enjoyed in a live setting. This is even more true in the digital age, where the wish to experience has grown into “a deeper desire for human connection.” This article is so intriguing to me because it uses scientific research to support the innate craving humans have for immersive, emotional experiences. It also puts into perspective the impact technology has on our personal relationships, and why we are constantly looking for more.

JinAh Lee said...

Solely based on reading this article, I do not know how to receive and understand the impact of the Power of Live study. It sounds like the result could be prejudiced because the surveyed the behaviors of the 22,500 live music fans. Of course, people who go to live music concerts will want more live experiences. So when the article makes a generic statement like ‘the key takeaway [is] that live experiences are in high demand’, it can be confusing and maybe misleading. But I’m sure the actual study will explain the nuance and implications in better terms. After all, the study was conducted by a research agency and with many qualified professionals in relevant areas. So putting the skepticism aside, it is a great news that live experiences are in demand. People are learning that some experience cannot be replicated in digital format and actually heading out to the concert venues. Although the study was limited to live music concerts, I hope this trend could spill over to theater productions as well.

Sarah Battaglia said...

I agree with JinAh that I feel like this study is geared toward people who do value live music over sex. I think if you polled the average population you would find that that is definitely not true. I would be interested to read the full study and look at the wording. I also think that a live music experience is not always about the music and can be more about the environment that it creates. When I think about a music festival I think about the fashion and the drugs and the social aspect that goes along with it. Suddenly, you aren't comparing one thing to another you're comparing a huge event to one thing. All that being said it does make me happy that people value art sometimes over a very basic and necessary human function. It makes me hopeful for the future and for the progression of art into the part of out culture that need it most. Although, I doubt anyone would ever chose Shakespeare over sex.

Claire Farrokh said...

Oh my god this article is so dumb. "Due to a trend the promoter is calling “Sensation Deprivation,” the study found that 73 percent of participants want to experience real life rather than digital life." What does that even mean? Digital life is a part of real life now. That's the society we live in. Digital life and real life are one and the same. Of course the people that are going to live concerts are people that really enjoy live concerts. Similarly, of course the people at concerts rate their excitement at an 8 out of 10 or whatever because if a millenial is paying for a ticket to see a performer, you bet they must really like that performer.

"“Of course, digital life isn’t dying off — but after a decade of all that posting, pinning, tweeting, snapping, and streaming, people are tapped out,” the study reads. “They now recognize the importance of the physical world to their quality of life and are recalibrating their lives with more intention.”" This is just so condescending and obnoxious. I have wanted to see my favorite artists live since before I got my first flip phone in the fifth grade. I'm not "tapped out," I just enjoy experiencing the music of my favorite artists live, and I think people felt the same about the Beatles and the Rolling Stones, despite the fact that there was no "Sensation Deprivation" with teenagers in the 60s.

Mia Romsaas said...

How does one measure these two things against each other, and what are the stakes and stakeholders involved? I agree with comments above, this article and study seems biases towards people who would prefer live music over sex. These are two very separate experiences and I don’t think the stakes and stakeholders are large enough for us to really care enough about this comparison? I think this article is trying to prove/show live music is better and more valuable than sex. But why do we care?? If you like sex over music, good for you? Live music effects others in the way of economics and society, but sex seems like a personal things that, if youre having sex/enjoy it, why does anyone else care? I suppose I see the connection between the two in regards to both being very emotional and intense experiences that can really affect somebody, but I am still a little lost.