Research suggests that gig-going Brits are more likely to find love this Valentine’s Day, as one fifth (20%) of UK adults admit that seeing a concert would make them more likely to hook up with a date, compared to other romantic outings. Independent data commissioned by ticketing marketplace viagogo revealed that UK lovebirds prefer gig dates to spa days (8%), amusement parks (9%), museum dates (13%) or a rom-com style picnic 16%).
Gig-going has proved a tried and tested way to break the ice, as viagogo’s study reported that almost a tenth (9%) of millennials had attended a concert or festival on a first date. 15% of average Brits have noted live event tickets as their favourite gift to receive, especially compared to adorable pets (5%), luxury goods (9%), clothing (10%) and wellness products (8%). Long-term couples beat the average as 21% of unmarried UK pairs are coveting concert tickets as gifts. Amongst all Brits (single or otherwise) travel came out on top, as 22% of Brits believe a trip away is the perfect present.
According to globe-trotting music fans surveyed, the main reason why they would consider seeing a live event abroad is to make more memories with friends or loved ones (45%)**. This sentimental reason outranked others including: better weather and scenery (42%), potentially cheaper gig tickets (30%) and a chance to discover a new culture (24%). It should come at no surprise that the same study commissioned by viagogo, revealed that Paris, France – widely recognised as ‘the city of love’, was crowned as the number one place where most Brits had already seen a live show abroad.
UK couples looking to spice things up have sought to turn gigs into mini getaways, as 37% of UK couples who are living as married admit they have booked a hotel room alongside their concert tickets, compared to 29% of married couples and only 26% of single fans.
Back at the nation’s capital, 10% of Londoners have spontaneously video-called a loved one whilst at a gig to share the unmissable moment, which is double the national average (5%)*. Loved up Brits who are keen to test the theory and take a significant other to a gig this Valentine’s Day, can pick from twenty of the hottest shows this February below.
20 Valentine’s Day gigs to choose from this February
- Joy (Anonymous): 14 Feb London, 15 Feb Manchester, 16 Feb Glasgow.
Buy tickets here / Tickets for London dates still available on viagogo here
- The 1975: 12,13,14 Feb London, 17 & 18 Feb Manchester, 21 Feb Birmingham
Buy tickets here / 12th & 13th London dates still available on viagogo here
- ABBA Voyage: London shows on daily from 14 Feb – April
Buy tickets here
- 6lack: 15 Feb Manchester, 17 Feb Birmingham, 18 Feb London
Buy tickets here/ Tickets for London date still available on viagogo here
- Raye: 21 Feb Newcastle, 22 Feb Birmingham, 25 Feb Manchester, 27 Feb Bridlington, 28 Feb Newcastle, 29 Feb Glasgow,
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Keane: 20 Feb, Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Buy tickets here
- Aitch: 21 Feb, Shepherds Bush Empire, London.
Buy tickets here
- Chase & Status: 22 Feb Cardiff, 23 Feb London
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- PinkPantheress: 20 Feb Dublin, 22 Feb Manchester, 23 Feb London
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Bombay Bicycle Club: 14 Feb Leeds, 15 Feb Newcastle, 16 Feb Manchester, 17 Feb Southampton, 18 Feb Cardiff
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Cirque du Soleil – Alegria @ Royal Albert Hall: 14 Feb 7.30pm London, 15 Feb 7.30pm London, 16 Feb 7.30pm London, 17 Feb 7.30pm London, 18 Feb 5.30pm London
Buy tickets for all above dates here
- Noah Kahan: 11 Feb Leeds, 13 Feb Cardiff, 14 & 15 Feb London
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Simple Plan: 11 Feb Birmingham, 13 Feb Bristol, 15 Feb Leeds, 16 Feb London
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- J.I.: 13 Feb, Birmingham, 16 Feb London
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Laufey: 14 Feb Manchester, 15,16,17 Feb London
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Zara Larsson: 16 Feb Manchester, 17 Feb Glasgow, 18 Feb Birmingham, 21 & 22 Feb London
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Kim Petras: 15 Feb Glasgow, 16 Feb Manchester, 19 Feb London
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Masego: 19 Feb Glasgow, 20 Feb London, 22 Feb Manchester, 23 Feb Bristol
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Roisin Murphy: 13 Feb Glasgow, 14 Feb Newcastle Upon Tyne, 17 Feb London
Tickets for all dates still available on viagogo here
- Omah Lay: 20 Feb London
Tickets for London date still available on viagogo here