Sex And Drugs, Not Rock ’N’ Roll

Most UK festivalgoers are there mostly to drink, take drugs or have sex rather than listen to music, according to a poll carried out by MSN.

A survey of 2,000 festival visitors showed that the music was the most important part of the event for 45 percent of those polled.

A quarter of them had sex – even with a stranger – at the top of their list, while 21 percent preferred taking drugs and a few would rather burn their tents or get into fights.

Among middle-aged (45 to 54 years old) fans, 9 percent admit experimenting with illegal drugs at a festival, 20 percent drink to excess, 10 percent have slept with a stranger, and 2 percent got into a fight.

George McKay, Professor of Cultural Studies at Salford University, said it was “human nature” to let your inhibitions go at a festival.

“Festivals are deeply rooted in the carnival tradition, which is to invert everyday expectations of normal behaviour,” he said.

As many as 47 percent said they’d done things at a festival they would never consider doing outside of that environment. For those aged 35 to 44, the figure was 50 percent.

Brits will spend an average of £423.01 ($662.50) at UK festivals this year, making them too expensive for 60 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds.