AIBU to go to big concert on my own?

[Ineedcoffeenow]

We have plans for DD to come with me to a big concert. However, it’s during her exams and I’m not sure whether she should take time out revising. It would be a Saturday night staying in a hotel and returning on Sunday. We are planning on her to keep revising by working on past papers on the train and in a cafe while there (she works well in cafes—much better than at home).

Anyway, the point of this post is really to ask would it be strange if I go on my own? Everyone is telling me I shouldn’t and it’s sad, but I don’t want to miss out. I’ve waited 35 years to get to see this person live. Would you go on your own?

Life is for living!

Surely she would have learnt everything she needs to by then and so it’s just a case of going over it.

She needs time to actually let loose and do something other than revise.

Exactly this!

If having 2 days off means she’s going to fail her exams, then she would have not passed them even if she’d had those 2 days.

Its mean if she doesn’t attend something she’s been waiting so long to do.

Take her along. Work/life balance. She can study en route - as you suggest - and can also (since she won't be drinking) conduct further revision the morning after the concert while you are still passed out drunk 🍷🥴🧐

Fine to go on your own but also fine for her to go. She can revise while travelling and the concert itself will give her a real boost

I think it depends on the DC, the concert weekend would have stressed my DS. He was always going to pass his exams but he really wouldn’t have wanted a weekend away so close to them.

Go on your own. No one will care and if they comment, fuck em.

I go a lot on my own - including Kylie this year - and have done since I was a teenager. It’s not weird at all. I would say though it’d be sad for her to miss out. Realistically, what else is she going to be doing at 8-11pm? Relaxing in front of the TV or sleeping, surely? It won’t kill her to have a couple of hours off. Like you say, she can revise on the train and such. My mum died when I was 18 - a week before my A-Levels - and I would have been devastated to have missed out on something like that with my mum.

Not weird at all. People trying to make you feel odd about it are really sad imo.

Secondly, I really wouldn’t advise you or your DD to have such a strict and suffocating revision schedule that they can’t take one day off for a bit of fun.

This! It's not weird to go alone but seems a bit mean when you were meant to be going with her. It'll probably do her loads of good and I'm not convinced no break from revision is healthy. There's her MH To think of as well as her grades.

Life is short, enjoy the gig - going with your daughter will be a shared experience she will never forget. Hope you have an amazing time!

Let your poor daughter come with you for goodness sake! It sounds like she’s working really hard and one night off to go to gig isn’t going to make or break her exam results.

Not sad to go alone at all but completely unnecessary.

I’m currently sitting in the Amex lounge of the 02 arena having a drink on my own and just browsing very briefly when I saw your post. This is a huge concert, no qualms whatsoever. Enjoying my drink and looking forward to seeing artists in a bit.

No reason why no one is with me, I just didn’t bother to invite anyone 🤭

See, it’s not a given that DD will get what she needs. She’s dyslexic and learns at a much slower pace than an average teenager. She’s got a conditional offer for a course that has 900 applications for 60 places (apologies for stealth boast but I’m so freaking proud) and don’t want to jeopardise that by me taking away

I thought I might get flamed for taking her.

I’ve only been to one concert on my own so far, wouldn’t hesitate to do it again if it was someone I really wanted to see and didn’t have anyone to go with. That’s assuming that I felt safe enough about the logistics (I live in a big city so any concert would only be there, so I’d have to get home to my house in the suburbs, I couldn’t justify a hotel). I don’t think anyone really noticed I was alone, it would definitely be less obvious at a concert than something like the theatre, although even then I’d go by myself if I wanted to.

But in your case I would take DD if she wants to go. She can plan around it. As you’ve said she can work on the train etc.

If you’ve made firm plans like bought tickets and booked accommodation already, and DD thinks she is coming, it’s too late now to just tell her that she can’t come. It would have been entirely different if you’d told her right from the start that she couldn’t come.

I have been to my first solo gig this year, it was fantastic. Iv noticed since there are more and more people on their own. I got fed up of missing out, especially as they are so expensive these days, if people aren't really interested they aren't going to spend the money just to keep you company. Iv got my next one planned for November. Do it, you won't regret it.

This, it says everything about them.. they are not comfortable with themselves.
I hate it when others project their own insecurities onto others and try and limit them.
I’ve been to quite a few on my own, it just means you really absorb the music and feel every bit without distraction.

This isn't very nice. Life is about balance. If one weekend off is ruining her chances of doing well in these exams, I'd be very concerned. How awful.

It’s totally fine to go alone. I’ve done it loads of times. But taking one night off won’t ruin your child’s exams either.

They’re the saddos! I’d happily go to see a band I like on my own.

This

I’ve been to loads of gigs and a few festivals alone, only in the uk though. You can often get better seats if you only want one ( I’m too old to enjoy standing all through a long concert, though shorter local ones are ok)!

I'm going to see Billy Joel and Rod Stewart in September on my own. I'm excited.

My ex-husband kept me from doing things that I wanted to do for most of my adult life. So now if I want to do something, I go and do it. I have taken road trips by myself, I go to museums by myself, I go to musicals by myself, I go to dinner and movies alone. It's very liberating. Go to the concert and have fun. Life is too short to not do things you enjoy.

Exactly.

I've also had grown adults telling me it's sad to do things on my own, but I think they are being absolutely pathetic. It's 100% their own issue and tbh makes me think a lot less of them.

It's fine to personally feel happier with company, but to place these silly restrictions on yourself and then try to shame others into accepting them is really not ok.

I went to see the backstreet boys in 1999 before my french gcse the next day. Got an A*.

Seriously though, let her have the break and enjoy

Much sadder to miss something you want to do than to go and enjoy it on your own!