The results are in, and Zoomers love live music. According to a new survey conducted by YouGov and Viagogo, members of Gen Z are twice as likely to call in sick to work in order to go to a concert than millennials.

Conducted online in July 2023, the online study surveyed 2,000 adults across the UK. Out of this pool, 8% of millennials — those born between 1981 and 1996 —  said they would fake sick in order to go to a gig, while 19% of Gen Zers — born from 1997 to 2012 — said the same thing.

It may seem obvious that young people would rather go see live music than go to work, but polled Zoomers revealed that they would also give up more enticing things in order to see their favorite artists perform. 43% of those asked claimed they would give up alcohol for six months in order to score front-row seats to their dream concert. Of course, we learned earlier this summer that Generation Z is drinking less at concerts than other age groups as it is.

In addition to the simple audiovisual delight that is watching a musician execute their craft in front of you, live music harbors community, whether it be within tight-knit fandoms or among the group of concertgoers who happened upon the same venue on the same night. Add in the fact that Gen Z spent their formative socializing years locked down in COVID-19 quarantine, and it makes sense that 20% of those surveyed admit that they’ve cried at a live show, compared to 18% of millennials and 11% of baby boomers.

On a more general note, 21% of the entire studied pool said their first concert was more memorable than getting their first job, having their first kiss, or losing their virginity (those experiences came in at No. 1 for 20%, 16%, and 13% of the polled population, respectively). Talk about music making an impact!

We may not all be Zoomers, but the Consequence team loves live music too, which is why we’re spotlighting the best clubs across America with our Hometowns of Consequence initiative. Learn more and vote for your favorite small venue here.