In a world where we seem to spend more of our lives glued to screens, from Zoom calls to streaming, from social media to AI-generated content, it might seem like everything is moving online. But interestingly, the hunger for real, face-to-face events hasn’t faded. In fact, it’s growing. Here’s why, with some data, stories, and practical takeaways—especially if you’re thinking of organising or selling tickets for live events in your area.
Digital Fatigue is Real
We all know what it’s like: you’ve done your lecture or meeting over video, you’ve watched the latest livestream, scrolled through feeds… but something doesn’t quite hit the same. Human connection, physical presence, atmosphere—these are hard to replicate online. People are tired of passive consumption and want immersive, shared experiences. A handshake, a laugh with someone next to you, discovering something new by walking past a stall or chatting with someone in the break: that’s where memories are made.
Evidence That Live Is Bouncing Back
Here are a few stats and examples showing that people are returning to in-person events—and how big that return is:
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In France, attendance at live performances rose from 62 million in 2023 to 65.4 million in 2024, with revenue jumping from €2.1 billion to €2.8 billion, an 11% increase. (Le Monde)
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The UK live music industry hit a record £6.1 billion economic impact in 2023—driven by concerts, festivals, and gigs—and is up significantly compared to before the pandemic. (The Guardian)
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Live Nation reported rising event numbers, attendance, and revenue—showing strong global demand for real-world experiences. (Investopedia)
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The 2025 State of Events report shows roughly 60% of events are now in person, with 35% virtual and 5% hybrid. In-person events remain the most impactful marketing channel for organisers. (Bizzabo)
These numbers show that despite all the advances in digital tech and AI, people are still choosing to go out for live shows, local meetups, festivals, exhibitions, training, theatre, and more.
The Unique Benefits You Can’t Get Online
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Networking & Serendipity: Meeting someone you didn’t expect, bumping into an old friend, overhearing ideas—all those spontaneous moments happen in real life.
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Immersion & Senses: Sound, smell, light, atmosphere—these engage senses that digital events simply can’t.
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Trust & Credibility: Being physically present builds trust. Seeing people interact and events run smoothly reinforces confidence.
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Local Culture & Community: Events in your neighbourhood support local artists, food, and businesses. They give character to a place in a way purely digital interactions can’t.
Growing Demand & What Organisers Are Seeing
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Over 50% of organisers report increased attendance for B2B conferences. (Nunify)
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About 87% of attendees say discovering new products is best done at live events. (Cvent)
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The global live-events industry is forecast to grow from around US$650-700 billion in 2022 to US$1.2 trillion by 2032. (GlobeNewswire)
This isn’t just nostalgia—it’s real behaviour, real money, and rising expectations.
What This Means If You’re Selling Tickets Locally
If you run a local business, are an event organiser, artist, or just someone with an idea for a live event, this is your moment.
Tips for success:
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Lean into what in-person gives you: atmosphere, community, and connection.
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Use hybrid only as a bonus—many still prefer being there in person. (The Event Planner Expo)
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Market locally: Flyers, posters, local press, and partnerships work wonders.
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Make ticket buying easy: Simple checkout, transparent fees, mobile tickets.
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Create urgency: Use early bird or tiered pricing to drive faster sales.
In Short
Yes, AI and digital experiences are growing—but people crave connection, presence, and authenticity. There’s rising demand for live, local events. The world needs more moments where people gather, share space, and experience something real together.
Why Comus Is the Perfect Partner for Selling Tickets
If you’re planning a concert, workshop, theatre show, or local festival, you’ll want a ticketing partner that’s simple, transparent, and built for real-world organisers.
That’s where Comus comes in:
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Sell tickets and manage events with ease.
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No contracts, no subscriptions, no hidden fees.
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Sign up, create your account, and start selling tickets instantly.
Comus helps you focus on what matters—creating great in-person experiences—while it handles the rest.
