To go to a concert alone

I have had many instances of friends being unreliable regarding gigs and theatre shows.

I’ve had going to the wrong venue, public transport being late, not being paid back for months, me giving lifts and never getting them back, cars breaking down, setting off way too late leaving me waiting outside the venue as I had their ticket. By sheer chance the show started half an hour late and it was fine, but sheesh.

Another time they were late and I went in, they arrived but didn’t tell me! I spent the support act worrying and checking my phone if they’d had an accident but nope, they had been told to wait at the back until the interval of the MAIN act before taking their seats. Forgetting and going on holiday without saying as well.

One friend seemed constantly unable to look and see what time shows finished, and once asked me to ring up the MEN arena to ask. She would constantly check her watch and sigh in the shows too, if they had an encore.

Eventually I said “fuck em all”, sacked them off years ago and it’s a lot less stressful solo.

Although! I have since met some new friends who like gigs and they are 100% reliable! It’s so refreshing!

I like going on my own - you can do everything exactly as you like, and in the bits before the acts you can chat to random people or I often just read my book on my phone (I was impressed at one gig where I guy next to me similarly on his own right down the front whipped out a kindle from his inside pocket of his leather jacket to read).
There are some venues I'm less keen on going to by myself if the parking situation is dodgy/ an unpleasant walk, but thats more of an issue in smaller venues, but I've never had any hassle in the venue

Go, OP! Why should you miss out, just because other people don't want to go?

I went to my first live music event (it's not something that I'd normally go to) on my own earlier this year. I got chatting to some sisters from Yorkshire, one of whom said, "If she hadn't decided to come, I'd have come on my own, too!"

I like going to different places on my own, because I can be there as long as I like, without being rushed around by a bored person who only came so that I wouldn't be on my own!

I’ve been to two concerts on my own in the last two weeks. It is easier going to gigs with allocated seating if you are unaccompanied. I went to an unseated pop concert alone many years ago, and you lose your place in the crowd every time you go to the loo.

My 18yo DD is going to 2 concerts on her own next year at the O2 because nobody else wants to go with her. It involves a 3 hour train ride, a hotel for the evening etc, but she is determined to go.

Do it! I regularly go to the theatre and cinema on my own, eat out on my own when I’m away for work, and in the past have been to a gig on my own. Funnily enough it turns out my now DH was at that same gig, 8 years before we met!

My DH has gone on his own a few times

Went to loads of gigs and shows with friends when I was younger, but after a few occasions where them being late nearly ruined things, then they said to their bf at the time “Oh yeah, MapLover can get tickets for anything!”. Er, no, I’m organised and queue up on Ticketmaster with everyone else to buy OUR tickets. Also realised I was giving them lifts every time.

Another time a friend left his seat to go to the bar 5 mins before the show started, despite hanging round in the lobby for 20 mins prior. Someone else forgot about the show and was on holiday, leaving me with his ticket in the days before easy online resale. I could go on.

Nowadays only invite pals if I trust them to organise themselves to get there and buy their own ticket. A lot easier and hassle free to go solo.

bloody hell woman! GO!!!

I am going alone next year to a Japanese singer I LOVE and as i am going alone and kids don't like him that much I managed to splurge for area B :-D
while with the kids i need to go to the sitting heights as they are too young!

go for it!!

I have been to gigs and theatre shows alone and love taking myself out for lunch. I am having a coffee and toast out on my own as I type. If I want to see someone/something I am not letting the fact that friends don't or can't make a decision for me

This comes up so often on here, and it's baffling. I'm currently in London alone to go to 3 separate shows, plus some exhibitions. My husband is happily at home (& doing housework, apparently!).
Nobody cares. I was in a packed theatre last night - there were groups and couples, but also a few solo like me. It's not about me - it's about the performers.

I’ve done it at times when no one I knew was interested in coming and at the last concert I went to with a friend I was sat next to a man on his own. If it’s something you really want to see why miss out ? Plus people are there to see the performance and no one really cares if you’re on your own.

I love going to gigs solo, in fact I think I secretly prefer it to going with partners and friends as I don't have to worry that others are enjoying it. In the last couple of years I've also gone to gigs with my son as we share musical tastes.
I'm quite a introverted person in real life and gigs are one of the few places I don't feel awkward as everyone is just there for the music. I've been to in excess of 100 gigs solo through the years and will do so until I'm incapable!

This is true, everyone is focused on the stage etc.

Traditionally (esp when younger) I was very unconfident / self-conscious.

This was to the extent that I even found it very difficult to wait in a pub alone for others to arrive (ridiculous eh?).

So I have always had this challenge - its undoubtedly a thing about certain personality types, rather than related to the activity itself.

Who do you want to see?

DH is off to see Dylan on his own, cos I can't stand him, at the end of the month. He goes everytime he visits the UK and loves it. He took DS last time and said it ruined it as he spent his time worrying whether DS enjoyed it or not. At Dylan gigs they lock your phone up, which means instead of scrolling before it starts people chat to each other, which he loves, as none of his mates like Dylan either. Go for it.

But it doesn’t require any confidence. You walk into a venue and once the act is on, everyone’s focused on what’s happening on stage, dancing etc.

I say go for it!

I would LOVE to have the confidence to go to a concert alone.

That I do not (yet) is a reflection on me, not the act itself - which of course there is nothing wrong with.

I have a friend who is very quiet, unassuming and doesn't strike you at all as a very confident individual - yet he does this all the time, in order to see bands he likes.

Its not as if there is much opportunity to chat during a gig anyway. And who would even notice, no one scrutinises their fellow gig goers. If someone did realise you were on your own, they would probably be impressed at your confidence and think you were a superfan.

Go for it! You will inspire me too!

I started by going to the theatre alone as DH is not a fan (I’d go once every summer), and as I am currently on overseas posting solo, I have booked tickets for a number of concerts for us both to go to that he hasn’t been able to travel for - so now I don’t worry if I am solo or not, it’s still enjoyable!

how do they know? All my attention is on the stage at showtime

And what a show it was!!! Had seen him at Wembley on that tour but now he was a 40 min drive away and seemingly 10 hours stood up for me. I was near the front.

Do it! I went and saw Rick Astley alone and had a much better time than if my grumpy husband had sat there stony faced, like some of the other husbands!

Do it! Nobody will notice, let alone have a view on it. Most gigs are also 38 per cent blokes on their own. You definitely won’t be the only solo person.

I’ve been to loads on my own, it’s great fun I would go!

I've done lots of gigs on my own and have booked one for next year on my own too. Don't share my music taste with my friends and don't want to miss out.

I really enjoy them on my own. Don't need to worry that the other person is bored etc and can just enjoy the experience