Over the past few years, concert ticket sales have noticeably dipped, especially among younger crowds. Concerts, once a staple of youth culture, aren’t drawing Gen Z as they did with previous generations. What’s behind this shift, why are they opting out of the live music scene?
Streaming and Digital Entertainment Are Taking Over
If talking new history, streaming platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and Twitch make it easy to access music without ever leaving your house. Gen Z grew up with these services, so they value digital experiences just as much, if not more, than going to a live show.
With platforms like Twitch, you can even watch concerts and live performances from your couch. In 2023, Spotify had over 602 million users, showing just how popular streaming music has become. Meanwhile, live concert attendance has slowed down. Why spend money on a concert ticket when you can stream your favorite artist live for free?
Ticket Prices Are Getting Out of Control
Another reason Gen Z isn’t flocking to concerts – ticket prices are insane. Companies like Ticketmaster have been criticized for jacking up prices with hidden fees and dynamic pricing, which makes going to a concert way more expensive than it should be.
Big music events like Taylor Swift’s “Eras” tour or Beyoncé’s “Renaissance” tour saw ticket prices skyrocket, with some resale tickets going for thousands of dollars. According to Billboard, the average price for a Taylor Swift ticket hit $1,000 in 2023.
There are signs, however, that we may have hit a breaking point. Jennifer Lopez and The Black Keys both canceled recent U.S. arena tours after fans pushed back against average ticket prices of around $150.
Even Billie Eilish’s 2025 UK tour, where the most expensive tickets cost £398 (with £151 going to local charities), still has tickets available months after going on sale. People are starting to draw the line, and these sky-high prices are making concerts feel like an unattainable luxury for many young fans.
Financial Struggles Are Real
Gen Z is dealing with financial issues that older generations didn’t face as much. Things like student loan debt, rising housing costs, and low wages are putting a serious strain on their wallets. With all of that going on, dropping a bunch of cash on a concert ticket just doesn’t seem smart.
According to BestColleges, the average student loan debt in America is over $37,000. Plus, rent has shot up by 18% since 2020. A lot of young people are choosing to spend their money on more meaningful experiences like travel or dining out, rather than going to a concert. Another survey by Deloitte in 2023 found that 57% of Gen Z prefer to spend their cash on activities that feel more personal or offer long-term benefits.
For a generation dealing with inflation and stagnant wages, live concerts just aren’t realistic. When you’ve got limited money to spend, concerts seem like a luxury that’s hard to justify.
Social Anxiety and Introversion Are on the Rise
The idea of being packed into a huge, loud concert venue is also just overwhelming for the TikTok generation. Social anxiety and introversion are more common among this generation than older ones, which makes attending a crowded, high-energy event like a concert less appealing.
A 2023 study from The Guardian found that 41% of Gen Zers deal with social anxiety in large group settings, compared to older generations.
Instead of big events, Gen Z tends to prefer smaller, more controlled gatherings where they feel more comfortable. So, while previous generations might have seen concerts as a fun way to hang out with friends, many in Gen Z find them stressful and prefer to stay home. The ever-rising gaming culture is definitely not helping the situation, more so since everything is within a fingertip’s reach as smartphones are becoming the go-to platform when it comes to that. Starting from serious titles like Call of Duty to Resident Evil and moving to something more relaxing, like card games offered in the FatFruit game catalog. It ends up being extremely ironic how the more choices you have, especially those that are “on demand” present, the likelihood of you not going anywhere goes up for most people.
Concert Culture Just Isn’t a Big Thing for Gen Z
For older generations, concerts were a huge deal. But for Gen Z, going to concerts just isn’t as central to their identity. They’re more interested in niche events, smaller gatherings, and connecting with artists through online fan communities.
Instead of buying a ticket and dealing with crowds, many Gen Zers are finding ways to engage with their favorite artists through platforms like Discord, Reddit, and Instagram. According to CivicScience, 68% of Gen Z prefer to engage with fan communities online rather than attending in-person events.
Ultimately, these digital spaces offer a sense of connection that they don’t always feel at a concert.
Influencers Are Well… More “Influential” Than Musicians
Gen Z is more into influencers and digital celebrities than traditional musicians. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch have made it possible for content creators to become stars in their own right, and many Gen Zers follow these influencers more closely than they follow singers or bands.
A recent study showed that 72% of Gen Z actively follow influencers. This shift in focus means that the money Gen Z might have spent on concert tickets is now going toward subscriptions, merch, or live-streamed events featuring their favorite content creators.
Sustainability Matters to Gen Z
If there’s one thing we know about Gen Z, it’s that they care about the environment — a lot. They’re the most eco-conscious generation so far, and that means they think twice about everything…. including concerts.
As such, Big festivals and concerts produce tons of waste, from plastic cups and bottles to the carbon footprint of travel and energy use. For a generation that’s serious about fighting climate change, that’s a huge turn-off.
According to a 2022 report by First Insight, 73% of Gen Z is willing to change their lifestyle to help the environment.
So, it makes sense that many of them are skipping out on events that seem environmentally harmful. Instead, they’re looking for more sustainable ways to enjoy music, like virtual concerts or smaller, local shows that don’t have such a big impact on the planet.
Changing Consumer Behavior Towards Teetotalism
A big change we’re seeing with younger crowds, especially Gen Z, is that more of them are choosing not to drink. In fact, about 26% of people between 16 and 25 now say they don’t drink at all. This is hitting small concert venues hard because they rely heavily on bar sales to make money. With fewer people buying drinks, these venues are having a tougher time staying in business, which means fewer concerts and less ticket sales overall.
But it’s not just all about alcohol-consumption. Gen Z is also more health-conscious and mindful of their spending. They’re more likely to prioritize experiences that align with their values, like wellness or sustainability.
As such, many of them prefer alcohol-free alternatives like mocktails, kombucha, or CBD-infused drinks, and some venues are starting to adapt by offering these options. However, it’s still an uphill battle, as the shift away from traditional bar sales means venues need to rethink their current business models entirely.
Safety Concerns Are a Big Talking Point
Safety at big concerts became a huge talking point after the tragic 2021 Astroworld Festival, where a crowd surge led to multiple deaths.
Events like this have made Gen Z think twice before attending large-scale shows. From its fears about poor crowd control to concerns over personal safety, this generation is much more cautious about where they go and what risks they’re willing to take.
When you add in the anxiety that comes with being in huge, uncontrolled crowds, it’s easy to see why concerts are starting to lose their appeal to younger audiences. They’re just not willing to take the risk when it comes to their safety, especially when there are other, safer ways to enjoy music.
Concerts Aren’t Always Inclusive or Accessible
Gen Z prides itself on being the most inclusive and diverse generation, and they expect the same from the events they go to. Unfortunately, not all concert venues or events are up to their standards.
Accessibility can be a major issue, with many venues lacking the proper accommodations for people with disabilities. Plus, some concerts don’t always promote a welcoming or inclusive environment for all attendees, which doesn’t sit well with a generation that values equality.
A survey by Eventbrite found that 87% of people who go to events think diversity and inclusion are important when deciding which events to attend.. For many, if a concert or venue doesn’t seem to support these values, they’re more likely to skip it and choose events that better align with their beliefs.
After all, Gen Z wants to feel like everyone is welcome — and when that’s not the case, they’ll take their money elsewhere.
Bad Audience Etiquette
Another thing that’s turning Gen Z away from concerts is the experience itself. Let’s be honest: the way some people act at concerts can be super annoying. People talking through the entire performance, constantly recording with their phones, and lousy audience behavior can ruin the entire vibe. For Gen Z, who really value meaningful and immersive experiences, these disruptions are a huge dealbreaker.
There was even a viral trend on TikTok in 2023 where people shared their frustrations about concert-goers who seem more interested in filming for social media than enjoying the music. When the focus is on capturing content rather than the actual performance, it takes away from the live experience. So, for a lot of young people, they’d rather stay home and listen to music in peace than deal with bad concert etiquette.
Work and School Schedules Are Tough
Life for Gen Z is busy. Between school, part-time jobs, side hustles, and internships, their schedules are packed. And with so many of them juggling multiple responsibilities, it’s hard to find the time (or the energy) to attend a concert.
Add to that the fact that many of them are also managing their own finances, and suddenly, attending a concert just doesn’t seem practical.
Last year, BBC reported that 40% of Gen Z is working side gigs on top of their regular jobs. With this extra hustle comes less time for traditional entertainment, especially something as time-consuming as a concert.
When they’re already pressed for time, it’s easier to stream music on demand or catch a live performance online instead of rearranging their schedules for a concert.
Smaller, Curated Events Are More Their Speed
Gen Z isn’t necessarily against live music — they just prefer smaller, more personalized events over massive concerts. Boutique festivals, private listening sessions, and pop-up performances are way more appealing because they feel intimate and exclusive. These kinds of experiences allow them to connect with the music and the artist on a deeper level, without the chaos of a huge crowd.
According to a 2023 Eventbrite report, Gen Z is gravitating toward these smaller, niche events. Attendance at curated, more personal events has increased by 45%, showing that this generation values quality over quantity. They’re less interested in the big, impersonal concerts and more in experiences that feel unique and special, where they can really connect with the music.
Old Artists Are Struggling to Connect with Gen Z
A lot of traditional musicians just aren’t connecting with Gen Z like they do with older generations. These days, if you’re not engaging on TikTok or Instagram, you’re probably not reaching the younger crowd. While some artists, like Billie Eilish and Lil Nas X, have nailed their social media presence and built massive Gen Z followings, others have struggled to adapt.
Additionally, the latest music industry insights show that a vast majority (almost 79%) of musicians struggle with online marketing. Most of them haven’t fully embraced digital platforms like TikTok.
For the younger generation, if an artist isn’t engaging with them on the channels they frequent, it’s hard to build that connection. Without that relationship, they’re less likely to go out of their way to attend a concert, especially when they’re used to interacting with their favorite digital influencers every day.
Virtual Concerts Are on the Rise
With technology improving every day, virtual concerts are becoming a legitimate alternative to live shows. Companies like Meta and Epic Games are already experimenting with concerts inside their platforms like Fortnite and the metaverse. These virtual events are super interactive and immersive, and they offer fans a front-row seat without having to leave their house.
In a 2022 Forbes survey, 60% of Gen Z said they were more excited about virtual concerts than traditional in-person ones. And as VR and augmented reality improves in the next few years, we’re only going to see more of these virtual events in the future.
For Gen Z, who are already so used to consuming content online, this feels like the natural next step in how they want to experience music — no expensive tickets, no crowded venues, no traveling, just immersive music experiences right from their living room.