Attending Concerts Alone

[jb126]

Not sure if this belongs here or Ramble On, but here goes.

Recently I attended my first big venue concert after a long hiatus. I had so much fun I made a vow to start seeing live music again. There's a concert I would like to attend, but can't get anyone interested in going. I usually don't let this stop me from doing something I want to do. I've been to MLB & NBA games, skating events, movies, etc. alone, but never an "assigned seating" concert. It's already very late to buy a ticket, but I think I can get a good seat since I'd only be looking for one.

One very silly thing that is holding me back is that the vast majority of the audience will be much younger.

Anyone care to share experiences (the good, bad, ugly) of going to a concert alone?

Thanks.

[reswati]

Just do it.

[docron]

I'm a loner by nature I don't really mind it.

Actually, when I go to concerts with a group I usually end up leaving them and doing my own thing for the duration of the show anyways.

I'm not sure if it would hold true for an assigned seating concert. I didn't know that was a thing...?

I've also been to shows where the crowd was barely old enough to get their hands stamped. Those shows would have been different if I hadn't been with a group.. and a lone dude in the crowd probably would have come off as creepy... I wouldnt reccommend that, though it might pass a little easier though if you're a girl?

[Jahfin]

Anyone care to share experiences (the good, bad, ugly) of going to a concert alone?

I wouldn't let it hold you back. When I was much younger, I wouldn't go to a big concert on my own. As I grew older I stopped letting that stand in my way. I grew up with a lot of friends that were also music fans but they just weren't into it as much as I was. Of course, it can be fun to go to a concert with one other person or even a large group but going alone also has it's advantages.

As for the age difference thing, I also wouldn't let that bother me. I often attend shows where I'm the youngest person there as well as ones where I'm the oldest, it's all about the music and how that brings us all together, regardless of age.

[Stryder1978]

I'm 52 and the last three concerts I've been to I went solo. None were assigned seating, but I don't think that matters - it looks stranger when you are standing up against the stage or barricade. Heh, the "kids" usually think I'm somebody important (a reviewer, promoter...heck, some thought I was a member of the band!). Great way to start up a conversation with them. Just go and enjoy...few things bring people of all ages and backgrounds together like sharing music. And it does my soul good seeing kids at the same concerts I'm attending - proof that rock ain't dead and there's another generation to keep it going!

[jabe]

I've done it.

You might find that you have a better time going solo than having a significant other or a friend tagging along.

Like docron, I'm a bit of a loner.

Don't need a posse to have a great time.

[ledded1]

I have been to many on my own and it's never been a problem. My fist big trip abroad really was to go to Boston to see Strange Sensation, so from the UK to Boston was a great experience.

It doesn't bother me and I have since been to Europe for several Plant shows.

It's great to have company but if you want to see a band bad enough just go.

[BUCK'EYE' DOC]

I frequently go to Broadway shows and other performances by myself when I travel. I go to NYC yearly for an Optometry meeting and I always see a play or show while I am there. One year I saw "Mama Mia" and I sat next to a single girl from Germany who was in NYC for business. It is not uncommon for people to go by themselves. I always buy my ticket at the box office on the morning of the show and I always get great seats. Of course, you pay top price for those great seats, but you avoid all of the extra ticketing fees that way.

I have never been to a concert by myself, but wouldn't hesitate to go if the opportunity arose. The closest I came was this year when I saw the Beatles tribute band Rain in Chicago by myself. It was a pseudo concert.

[jb126]

Thanks for all of the responses. I too am a loner, but as I mentioned, this is uncharted waters. As someone upthread said, I need to just get over it & go!

[Deborah J]

Hi jb126!

Go for it. This life is no dress rehearsal. If you have an opportunity and want to see a band, go and have a blast. I also attend some concerts where people are a lot younger than me, but I end up talking with some great people, and I am careful, but I have actually exchanged info and stay in touch, because of the music!

Even if I go with friends, and they know this, I will leave anyone in a minute to get to front row

[Jahfin]

My fist big trip abroad really was to go to Boston to see Strange Sensation, so from the UK to Boston was a great experience.

It's obviously not anywhere the same distance but I once traveled from NC to Atlanta, GA to see Page and Plant. I had some other business on that trip so it wasn't just to see Page and Plant but it was still worth it. Same thing for when I traveled from NC to NY to attend Woodstock '94. I couldn't find anyone else to go but I wasn't going to miss it so I went. Of course on long trips it helps to have someone to help share the driving, to talk with and to share the experience but I'd rather go it alone than live with the regret of wishing I'd gone for the rest of my life.

[jb126]

By the way, I knew this forum would be a good place to discuss this topic.

A few years ago I made the mistake of talking about going to an event alone with some colleagues. One of them called me a loser, he said it trying to be funny, but I didn't appreciate it. I did shut him up with my response. Needless to say, I won't be discussing this with him.

[jimmie ray]

I wouldn't let it hold you back. When I was much younger, I wouldn't go to a big concert on my own. As I grew older I stopped letting that stand in my way. I grew up with a lot of friends that were also music fans but they just weren't into it as much as I was. Of course, it can be fun to go to a concert with one other person or even a large group but going alone also has it's advantages.

As for the age difference thing, I also wouldn't let that bother me. I often attend shows where I'm the youngest person there as well as ones where I'm the oldest, it's all about the music and how that brings us all together, regardless of age.

I feel the same way, Jahfin. I haven't been around as much as you, but always found The Birchmere in Virginia was about the most hospitable place to arrive alone, and leave after meeting dozens of exceedingly friendly people.

[Jahfin]

Thanks to a local listserve I joined back in '99, even if I go out to a show alone in the Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill area I'm usually going to run into someone I know. Not to mention the folks I've met since I moved here. I don't think that's a bad thing either.

[Sagittarius Rising]

I have been to concerts before alone, but the first time was both strange and a revelation. I was dating a woman at the time who was Ms. Concert, no shit we would see everyone just about when they came to town, it was her thing. Well when we broke it off I had tickets to two awesome concerts and I decided to go solo to both. The first was Kenny Loggins, front row at the Celebrity Theatre. If anyone knows this venue you know the first three rows you are within feet of the band and the front row can literally reach out and touch them (depending on the setup of course). I felt odd at first but quickly got over it and had an great time.

A bit of an aside but I have a friend with a very twisted sense of humor. He was in LA I believe when Justin Bieber was performing and he decided to go to this concert solo (he is 55), wearing shorts, a tank top, and a crombie (trench coat) over it with a pair of Dr. Marten's. I think you know what kind of look he was going for. Anyway, I figured he would at the least get thrown out and at worst get arrested due to his usual shenanigans, but no, he had a blast! Turned out the kids were on to his act right away and they thought he was a riot! He would up hanging out with a group of teenagers and some of their parents, plus made new friends. Sometimes you just never know.

[luvlz2]

I have been to concerts before alone, but the first time was both strange and a revelation. I was dating a woman at the time who was Ms. Concert, no shit we would see everyone just about when they came to town, it was her thing. Well when we broke it off I had tickets to two awesome concerts and I decided to go solo to both. The first was Kenny Loggins, front row at the Celebrity Theatre. If anyone knows this venue you know the first three rows you are within feet of the band and the front row can literally reach out and touch them (depending on the setup of course). I felt odd at first but quickly got over it and had an great time.

Kenny Loggins, that cool...I've been to concerts there and the Celebrity Theatre is a great place to see a concert , A concert that brings back fond memories now is seeing Bad Company there the last time they came to Phoenix. It's been long enough that I can't remember off the top of my head the last concert I saw there, It's not still called the Celebrity Theatre, is it? I have used the city bus and light rail going to concerts alone that I didn't want to miss.

[ZosofanCMR]

I just got back from seeing Jack White at the Wamu Theater in Seattle solo. It was bloody fantastic. I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. I've been to many many concerts solo. I'm a music nut, and people throw the word obsessed around when talking about my interest in rock and roll (they may be right) so if there's a show I wanna see, Im going, regardless of whether I'm alone, with someone else, or with a group of people.

[Rock Historian]

I've never had a problem going with other people...and don't recall ever going alone, because I have friends (and a wife) who dig the same music as myself-so it was never an experience for me (going alone). However, the last big show I saw a year or two ago, was Slayer with Megadeth and Anthrax. I went along with two guys from work (a hippy and a Metal head) ...they wanted to get down close to the stage, where they had a huge pit going on..plus the sound was SO loud, it was almost unbearable..seriously, it was painful. My ears didn't ring- they HURT (throbbing) for 3 days after. It was entirely too loud. Yet, it was a great show. One of the best I've been to. Anyway, I sat in my seat and filmed most of the show from a good angle on my Flip digital recorder-while they did their thing. I was quite happy with where I was, and didn't wanna get involved in the chaos below.....So that's the closest to going solo for me.

[Juliet]

Hi:

I have gone to concerts alone for many years...I've been treated very well by some and like a groupie by others ...I was stopped by one security guard on my way to my high priced seat that was close to the stage...never went back to that venue,,,

It's really wierd being alone...not as wierd as going for car repairs but still wierd when you are a woman alone...

I've only been scared when I tried to leave one venue and there were very few exits...I looked in the direction of the stage but saw a female security guard look at me as if I was trying to get back stage...never went back to that fund raiser event in London Canada...BTW as I left the exit a fence came crashing down as people were trying alternate ways to get out...that was very scary!!!!

J

PS Times like this I really miss my Romeo

PSS ATTENTION.....JULIET IS NOT A GROUPIE....

[Rock Historian]

PS Times like this I really miss my Romeo!!!

[truth and beauty]

SO many times ! There's nothing like going to a great concert with one or more really good friends. But none of my friends is a total match for my musical tastes - and many are very busy and have cancelled on me.

Most recently : Robert Plant at the HMV forum. Would have been more fun with the friend who cancelled : but if I hadn't been alone I probably wouldn't have bothered to get very close to the front , and that was wonderful !

If it's music you want to hear, just go : don't let social worries keep you from it if it's something you love .. so often the atmosphere is so infectious that it doesn't feel like a solitary event at all.

Really wouldn't worry about the age of the audience . For me that's one of the most gratifying things about the concerts I go to: some are pretty young, some old, many a mixture ... it makes me feel (rightly or wrongly) that I must have an eclectic taste.. I love people-watching, and on your own at a concert you can do that to your heart's content ..

Is it worse for a woman ? I think most things are easier for a man alone than for a woman alone... but my only difficult solo concert was Lynyrd Skynyrd at the age of 16 : that got a little bit redneck ...... Other than that, no problem.

And it's better than being at a concert with someone you don't care for: the only way I made it to the O2 concert was via ebay, as the guest of someone I'd never met . So grateful for that.. but he couldn't have been a more dreary person to spend the evening with, and his enthusiasm for the concert was no match for mine . The one downside of that extraordinary night was to experience such a rollercoaster of excitement and emotion, alongside a neighbour who just didn't get it.

Go on your own !

[planted]

Not sure if this belongs here or Ramble On, but here goes.

Recently I attended my first big venue concert after a long hiatus. I had so much fun I made a vow to start seeing live music again. There's a concert I would like to attend, but can't get anyone interested in going. I usually don't let this stop me from doing something I want to do. I've been to MLB & NBA games, skating events, movies, etc. alone, but never an "assigned seating" concert. It's already very late to buy a ticket, but I think I can get a good seat since I'd only be looking for one.

One very silly thing that is holding me back is that the vast majority of the audience will be much younger.

Anyone care to share experiences (the good, bad, ugly) of going to a concert alone?

Thanks.

Go for it. I go to the movies and often eat alone in restaurants, and I really enjoy it. I have a teenager who thinks I'm weird for doing so, so it must mean I'm cool! haha. I recently saw Petty live, and would have gone alone, but my 69 yr old father actually wanted to go with me! We had a great time, but I would have definitely bolted for front row had I been alone!

BTW, nice to 'meet' a fellow New Englander!

[Strider]

Do it jb126! It's fun to go alone...you can enjoy the show without having to worry if your date is enjoying it with you.

Half the concerts I go to these days I go alone. I always have a blast. I can concentrate on the band. Don't have to escort her on a potty break...women have such small bladders. I save tons of money I would normally spend on drinks. And you never know what new friends you will make.

[tom kid]

I went and saw Crosby, Stills and Nash in March on my own and had a blast, ended up meeting some people on a bus there who were the same age as me and hung out/drank with them for the whole show and afterwards at a couple of bars. I wish that I had gone to the Black Crowes in 2008 and The Who in 2009 on my own when I couldn't find anyone to go with. Maybe they will come back down here some time in the near future, who knows. Chris Robinson has stated that the Crowes are on indefinite hiatus though.

[allthekingshorses]

I've definitely gone to a few shows by myself, The Led Zeppelin Experience being one of them. (so glad I went!) and also paid the eBay price for one of Robert's shows to sit front row.. I couldn't think of anyone else who would want to pay for their own overpriced ticket and go with me, so I went alone. So worth it!