Despite stratospheric price increases and bots infiltrating ticket sales, the desire to experience live music is higher than ever.
According to a new Live Nation survey of 40,000 people across 15 countries, live music has overtaken film, streaming, sports and even sex as the world’s favorite form of entertainment.
The survey found that nearly four in ten people worldwide (39%) would choose live music over any other form of entertainment if they could only pick one for life, ranking it above movies and sports. And when sex was added to the mix, 70% said they’d still rather see their favorite artist live.
“Live music isn’t just growing, it’s shaping economies, influencing brands, and defining culture in real time,” said Russell Wallach, Live Nation’s Global President of Media and Sponsorship. “Fans have made live the heartbeat of global entertainment, and it’s now one of the most powerful forces driving connection and growth worldwide.”
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Wallach’s statement is borne out by the survey, which finds that for 85% of fans, music defines who they are, and for 84%, live experiences give them the “most life.”
It also found that nearly six in ten fans travel for shows yearly, which in 2024 alone resulted in people traveling 40 billion miles just to see a concert.
While screens might seem to provide many people a majority of their entertainment, the survey found that 93% of fans say they attend shows because they crave real experiences over virtual ones, and 80% would rather spend money on experiences than things.
Music was found to bring people together, with 71% of people globally listening to artists outside their native tongue, and 84% saying live music unites across borders. Nearly 80% say concerts make their family bonds even stronger.
The survey also points out that women artists are among the biggest drivers of the live music surge, citing Beyoncé’s “Cowboy Carter World Tour” being the top-grossing country tour ever, as well as Olivia Rodrigo pulling Lollapalooza’s biggest crowd, Karol G setting Spain’s all-time ticket record, and Lady Gaga making history with the largest concert ever for a female act with her free show in Brazil. It was found that 76% of the respondents are interested in live events headlined by women.