To go to a concert on my own?

[WishIHadntLooked77]

I want to say 'gig' but am probably showing my age - it's Hyde Park 'British Summer Time'. I've never considered going to something like that alone, but I really, really want to go, and don't know anyone who likes the band in question (except one friend, who's away).

Have you ever done similar? Would you? OH thinks it's risky, but I disagree - it's not as if he's telling me not to go, but I'd be interested in other opinions.

I've been to gigs on my own. It can be The Best.
Nobody to complain that they don't want to go to the front / sit at the back / whatever it is you like doing. Nobody to distract you from enjoying the music.
Not sure I'd want to go to one of those enormous Hyde Park type thingies on my own but probably just wouldn't fancy that gig!

If you want to go then just do it. Another alternative is buy two tickets and see if anyone wants the other; sell it if not. If you're happy to go alone then you win either way.

I've done it, it was great :D

I do it all the time!

Often I’ll decide to go and then it’ll end up that there are other people/friends I know going anyway so I see them, or chat to new people, but many times I book a ticket alone and end up being the only one there I know, it’s bloody great. No need to make small talk while waiting between sets, just please yourself. I’m there for the music primarily so although it’s fun to have a friend there too, it’s absolutely fine alone. And I’ve never been to a gig where I haven’t seen numerous other people arrive and leave alone either, it’s common.

Why on earth would it be ‘risky’? I don’t understand what your husband means re that

Not remotely, I've done it myself several times and had a great time.

But then I think it's really odd that many people would rather miss something than go on their own.

I go to gigs, theatre, opera, ballet and cinema on my own. Often away with work and try and do something interesting rather than sit in hotel room of an evening. I really enjoy it.

Thanks for the opinions - there are clearly some pros!

Enormous Hyde Park type thingies aren't really my preference either, but it's my favourite band ever, it's their 40th anniversary, and I keep thinking that if I don't go, I might miss their last show or something. I can't see them playing intimate gigs again, so it's a case of beggars and choosers.

As for the 'risky' comment from OH, he's worrying from a 'lone female going home late' point of view. I figure I just need to stick with big crowds and ideally get a hotel close by.

Everyone's there for the same thing. To watch a concert. Just go! 😁

I do it all the time. Otherwise I’d have missed out on some of my favourite bands.

Thanks very much - I'm worrying about nothing. I'm going.

I do it all the time, and central London in the middle of July will be heaving with people, don't go off down any dark alleyways and you'll be fine.

I went to Glastonbury on my own last year and had a fantastic time! Do it!

Good for you. Enjoy!

Just go!

You’ll regret it if you don’t.

One of my favourite guitarists died a couple of years ago, very unexpectedly at a young age (40). I was so glad I’d managed to see him live a few times.

Glad you’ve made your mind up. Is your DH quite overprotective for some reason?

I regularly pop down to London (200m each way), see a gig, then come back on the overnight coach at 1am. As a lone female. As long as you follow the usual safety advice anyone should be following (keep aware of your environment, let someone know where you’re going) it’s fine. What a shit world it’d be if women didn’t go and do interesting things they wanted to without a chaperone!

I'm heading into London to go to a concert by myself this week, training home afterwards.

Go and enjoy yourself, you'll have a great time.

I’m curious who the band is now :)

Thanks very much - I'm worrying about nothing. I'm going.

Good for you. Enjoy! It's refreshingly liberating going out on your own, yet something we seem to have internalised some sort of taboo about as if society tells us we can't enjoy things by ourselves.

You'll never look back now!

Yeah why not! I'm thinking of going to a day festival by myself as the bands look amazing but nobody else is bothered or can make it.

Is it the Cure? Hope you have a brilliant time!

Got it in one, northernbella - it is The Cure! Thank you - I'm sure it'll be fantastic. Hope you make it to your festival and have a great time.

Thanks for the encouragement, everyone. moofolk's spot-on about internalising taboos around not enjoying things on your own, in my opinion. It makes no sense really, does it?

I live a couple of hours away and don't want to be stressing about missing the last train, so I'll stay up there. I don't know why OH would be worried about it - I work in London often, and frequently come home in the dark. Maybe he's projecting a bit because the idea of going to an event on his own freaks him out as much as it did me initially, until I got your input and had a think about it.

I'm surprised that if your OH is so concerned that he doesn't offer to go with you!

I have suffered many a "shit" gig for my partner :)

But yes, go on your own. I have been to see my fave band on my own because I don't know a single person who likes them :( but I would do it again and again!

Yes I have been alone to see a certain band (I won't name them!) that nobody else I know likes but I adore. Just go!

I went to a Hyde park gig by myself. It's great. I could do exactly what I wanted!

I used to do it loads when I was about 17/18 - I used to make loads of friends queuing outside etc.

I go on my own all the time. I'm not waiting for someone to go with me, and risk missing out!

A while ago I met up with some internet people at a gig, and they were so boring! They wanted to stand at the back drinking and talking over the music - I ended up edging away and moving forward and before I knew it I was right near the front in the middle of the dancing. It was much better! I texted one of them later: "oops, lost you in the crowd, sorry!" but I wasn't sorry at all.

Aww I’d come with you, I love The Cure! Is there no one you can convince to go with you?

I often seem to be into music none of my friends are into, I have on more than one occasion bought 2 tickets before the gig sells out thinking I’ll find someone to go with me, and I always have. Could you get an extra ticket and then ask around or is it way too expensive?

But yep, definitely go alone if you need to, you’ll love it!

Do it! Life's too short to miss out on fun things like this.

When you're 80 what would you rather do? Sit there thinking that you wish you'd gone to that gig, or sit there thinking 'damn, that was good'?!

I've been as far as New York to see my favourite band on my own.

I heard frank skinner say, of the lead singer of the fall ' my favourite singer has died and I will never hear him sing live again and that makes me very sad'. I think you should always go to the gig. No regrets!