Going to gigs alone

[Robmarriott]

I went to one last Thursday in Peterborough, previously I've been to see the same musician with my brother but he was away this time and nobody else I know has even heard of the guy

I'm not particularly outgoing so didn't talk to any of the other 74 people there (who all seemed to be in groups anyway) and it was good and bad in equal measure, I stood on my own for an hour before the music started but then being there on my own was actually quite good as soon as it did.

So, I've booked another gig for Saturday night in Coventry, for another band nobody has heard of (although they've had radio play and were nominated for the Mercury prize this year) problem is, I have a feeling I'm going to be the only person in my 30s who is there.

Does anyone else go on their own and if so, what tips do you have to make it feel less weird?

[anonymous-user]

I go to reggae gigs on my own as no one I know likes reggae or red stripe.

In that case my tip is hang with the rasta's and not the white folks you will have a much better evening.

[nealeh1875]

Only went to a gig alone once, i saw Keane a few years back and noone else wanted to go.. I loved it. I go there for the music and not fussed if someone is with me or not and would gladly go to gigs alone if friends didn't want to come.

Enjoy it, have a beer and enjoy the music/vibe of the place as you do.

[hairyben]

I used to go to dozens of gigs alone - if you want to see a lot of stuff you have to, and like you say having no-one elses neediness to detract from the gig can be nice, a lot of people think its a bit weird though. Go to enough and you start recognising and get on at least nodding terms with the same characters.

Although now been with mrs hairy 8 years who shares love for 95% of my music and also most of the appetite for being out there experiencing it, and gotten so used to that, that the odd few I've done alone more recently just feel weird and lacking!

[Robmarriott]

nealeh1875 said:

Only went to a gig alone once, i saw Keane a few years back and noone else wanted to go.. I loved it. I go there for the music and not fussed if someone is with me or not and would gladly go to gigs alone if friends didn't want to come.

Enjoy it, have a beer and enjoy the music/vibe of the place as you do.

Ordinarily this would be possible but Saturday's gig is in a Library!

[Dynamic Space Wizard]

Robmarriott said:

nealeh1875 said:

Only went to a gig alone once, i saw Keane a few years back and noone else wanted to go.. I loved it. I go there for the music and not fussed if someone is with me or not and would gladly go to gigs alone if friends didn't want to come.

Enjoy it, have a beer and enjoy the music/vibe of the place as you do.

Ordinarily this would be possible but Saturday's gig is in a Library!

Well read a book about beer then and enjoy the music

[tankplanker]

I've been to a few gigs by myself when working away, always felt weird till the band starts playing then I'm too busy dancing. I quite like it as you don't have to be social when the band is playing, you can just get on with enjoying the music.

I've frequently been the oldest guy in the room for some gigs, particularly ones I take my daughter to. Saw Halsey live a couple of times now, pretty sure she recognised me from previous gigs as I stand out in a sea of teenage girls especially when I'm more than a head taller than the girls around me.

[droopsnoot]

I usually go to gigs alone, but then as I go to most places in the same way it's not really that unusual. I just find somewhere to stand, watch the gig and that's it. If it's one I can get the train back from I might have a beer or two, but not usually in the venue - not least because I've started trying to get to the front, and I'm not going to the trouble of doing that only to lose my place to get a pint of expensive warm beer in a plastic cup. That's probably the biggest problem with going alone - not having someone to keep your place if you go to the loo or something.

[Pulse]

I go to gigs alone all the time! It's better with friends, but if you want to see an act, you've got to do it! Once the music starts, you probably won't notice you're on your own.

It has the added benefit that you can take in all the music as well.

[anonymous-user]

TBH it’s nigh impossible to get 2+ tickets that sell out to tout scum in 1 nano second
I saw Kate Bush etc alone for that reason (plus the better half can’t stand my taste in music !)

[anonymous-user]

TBH it’s nigh impossible to get 2+ tickets that sell out to tout scum in 1 nano second
I saw Kate Bush etc alone for that reason (plus the better half can’t stand my taste in music !)

[Bebee]

My tip is, join a band

I've been playing for 30 years and no one has heard of me either.

[vladcjelli]

Robmarriott said:

nealeh1875 said:

Only went to a gig alone once, i saw Keane a few years back and noone else wanted to go.. I loved it. I go there for the music and not fussed if someone is with me or not and would gladly go to gigs alone if friends didn't want to come.

Enjoy it, have a beer and enjoy the music/vibe of the place as you do.

Ordinarily this would be possible but Saturday's gig is in a Library!

?

[Robmarriott]

That's gone over my head

Library gig went well, strange setting but it turns out Coventry library used to be a nightclub years ago so it had a big open space in the middle.

Support act complained the crowd were too polite and quiet, someone shouted 'we're in a library' then got told to shush by the whole crowd

[Eddie Strohacker]

Robmarriott said:

That's gone over my head


Support act complained the crowd were too polite and quiet, someone shouted 'we're in a library' then got told to shush by the whole crowd

Brilliant