Survey Finds Sex And Drugs More Important To Festivalgoers Than Music

Evidence has now emerged that proves most people who go to music festivals are great, big phonies, and rather than making the journey in to catch their favourite band, or even wander through the stages to discover new music, most people are there to get drunk, chew their jaws off and get lucky.

For a study involving 2,000 festivalgoers, MSN discovered that a lousy 45% are there for the music, drawn in by the promise of live bands, the festival atmosphere and a chance to let their hair down and relax. This leaves the overwhelming majority finding drinking, taking drugs and having sex a far more appealing aspect of the events.

The study also shows almost half of ticket holders will knowingly shed all inhibitions the moment they see the word ‘festival’, doing things they would “never consider doing outside of the music festival environment”. Of those questioned, 25% admitted to having sex with a total stranger at a festival and 13% admitted to getting into a fight.

Babyboomers were included in the study and it was discovered that 9% of those at the festival in their middle age took drugs, 10% had sex with a stranger (gross) and 20% just got shitfaced.

To be fair, plenty of people ingest party favours at festivals in order to get the most out of the music but, as Professor of Cultural Studies at Salford University George McKay notes, society’s penchant to let loose at these music events is deeply ingrained in our history:

“Historically, carnivals would have a ‘lord of misrule’ who oversaw the revelries and subversion of the ordinary rules of life. Music festivals continue to be places where we can escape reality and subvert the rules – whatever age we happen to be.”

However, if you feel you may be one of those people who take things too far, we can help: check out our guide to festival etiquette. Please, for the love of music.

(Via Ultimate Guitar)

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