to go to a gig alone...

[Stefoscope]

Tickets go on sale this week in my hometown for a band I loved in my teens and twenties. Their new album is ok, but I would be mostly be going for nostalgic reasons and the singer is a good showman (and probably be retiring soon). The music is not to my current partner's tastes, so could throw an invite to my facebook friend's list but the most likely respondants would be my ex from uni years (grad 2007 but not met up much since and a fellow friend from the same era.) Is it terrible to go alone? WWYD?

I went alone to see my favourite band last month, it's the only time I've been to a gig alone and from now on that's what I'm always doing. I had the best time, felt free, danced, 'sang' and enjoyed myself tremendously. I'm 51 and was maybe the oldest woman there and it was bloody fantastic.

I go to gigs and the theatre on my own in London and always enjoy it. If my partner or a friend want to come along then fine but being alone isn't going to stop me!
Certainly for London gigs, I usually go to venues and areas I know well. I'd feel uneasy in a new area on my own but would happily explore new venues with partner/friends - and then go there on my own!
I always make sure I know the train times back home especially if it's a weekend timetable running and have enough cash or a card for a cab if needs be.

Yep - do it. I go to the theatre on my own a lot. Cheaper than going with someone else because I don't buy half as many drinks, don't have to sort babysitting as the husband's home, don't have to worry about someone else enjoying it (especially when it's a bit specialist!).

That said, I've had 2 tickets gifted to me a few times and it can be fun to take someone else along. My husband got me tickets for the Nashville tour this year thinking my sister could go with me (both big fans) but It clashed with her mate's wedding so I had to find someone else. Ended up specifically approaching any friend who'd commented on my photo at the previous year's Nashville concert saying "jealous" - only Nashies allowed. Ended up going with an old college mate that it was lush to catch up with and another old friend who couldn't make the concert came down the following weekend for a non-gig pub crawl.

So either way really! But you don't NEED someone else with you.

I love going to gigs alone! If you did want to find other solo gig goers, look up the Solo Armada, really good idea about finding others at gigs, most of us have a badge (just a simple boat) that's used to identify someone else alone who is happy to chat!

Go. Go go go! I went to a gig alone last year when DH was ill and no friends could come along last minute. It was brilliant. One of the best gigs I've ever been to. It's weird, but you never feel alone at a gig anyway as you are with people who love the same music as you, so the atmosphere is always so upbeat.

I would deepening on time/location, I wouldn't feel comfortable going out late alone or staying in a hotel but I am a big chicken though and have social anxiety.

I’ve been to quite a few gigs alone as I have odd taste in music and would prefer to lose myself in it than feel I was having to talk about it to a companion who didn’t know the songs in the same way that I did. And I go to West End shows by myself because I really hate having to analyse the first half to make conversation during the interval.
Nobody will notice you being by yourself and you’ll always have your phone for company if there are breaks or a long wait for it to start. You could live blog it on here!

Nothing wrong with going alone if others do not share your tastes. The person who does not come with you means someone else with your tastes can go.

I'd be surprised if the 51 year old lead singer retired soon though.

Go for it! (I saw Suede a few weeks ago and they were fantastic!)

I've been to see Muse (standing) on my own twice. I know the fans are a great bunch so know I'll be ok. Just make sure you'll be safe getting home afterwards.

I also go to gigs alone - I'd rather that than miss out on seeing a band I like. I usually stand at the front, where I feel less conspicuous. I often meet people I know from Twitter in particular, which is an added bonus. Definitely go for it.

I've seen Suede a couple of times OP, you have to go - they're awesome live!

Definitely go! I used to go to gigs alone and meet up with people from band forums etc. Made good friends that way

You should go!
I've even been to New York on my own to see my favourite band.

Yes. I went to see Diana Ross, of all people, alone - it was amazing. I shed all my inhibitions and may have wept a little.

Go! I usually go to gigs alone, there's nothing wrong with that.
I last saw them in October, it was a fantastic show, a bit darker than earlier but Brett is a great frontman, full of energy as usual and not planning to quit any time soon afaik.

BTW you may find you like the new album more once you hear (and see) the songs live.

I do this! Almost prefer it by myself - as PP said, I can dance/sing/scream/cry without worrying about what anyone else thinks!

This is a no brainer, of course you should go. I went alone to a David Bowie gig once as it was fan club members only and a small venue. I ended up having the best night ever, and made loads of Bowie freak friends. You will have a ball!

Do it!! I'd never gone to a gig alone until last week and I was nervous beforehand but I had a fabulous time. It was great to be on my own schedule (no worrying about me/a friend being late, no waiting around for others to pop to the loo etc) and I enjoyed being without the stress that the person you dragged along is having a horrendous time.

Plus, if you do get lonely you know you can chat about the artist with the people around you anyway!! Have fun OP

I'd go alone. Made an enquiry about tickets on fb for a band that's had a massive resurgence in the past few years.
Friend commented asking if I'd get them a ticket too. Reluctantly agreed. Ended up spoiling the concert for me.
I'd have been aswell taking a cardboard cut out. Spent the whole thing thinking about how much better it'd be if I'd just gone myself

Op, never let doing something alone put you off doing it because We’re a long time dead and life just whizzes by.

This is a no brainer, of course you should go. I went alone to a David Bowie gig once as it was fan club members only and a small venue. I ended up having the best night ever, and made loads of Bowie freak friends. You will have a ball!

My very first gig was the Ziggy Stardust Tour. I was almost 15 and I went alone because my friends preferred the Bay City Rollers. I had a seat in the second row.

I’m almost 61 now and I still don’t let going alone stop me doing anything including holidays.

@PollyFlinderz I am so jealous! The gig I was talking about was the 30th Anniversary of the Ziggy Stardust retirement gig, held in what was the Hammersmith Odeon. It was one of the best gigs I've ever been to, and the smallest venue I ever saw Bowie in He was, as ever, bloody amazing!

I have been to loads of gigs on my own as nobody I know shares the same taste in music. I'd agree with a PP that going with someone is usually more fun, but going alone is watching better than not going at all!