Live concerts are a great way to experience your favorite artist or band in person and connect with other fans. However, getting friends to coordinate schedules to attend a show together can turn into quite a hassle. To avoid all this, you can make the decision to go to a concert by yourself.
You may ask yourself, “Isn’t it kind of lame or sad to go to a concert alone?” Nope, not at all. Attending a concert by yourself can actually be a freeing experience. There are several reasons that a person might want to go alone to a concert, from cutting down on expenses to wanting to try something new. Read on for more information on the benefits and tips for attending a concert solo.
The Benefits Of Going Alone
Picking The Event
Attending a concert or music festival by yourself gives you all the control without having to compromise or beg a friend to attend a show with you. Check out a weird psychedelic rock band or indulge in a guilty pleasure pop act. There is so much independence to be had in listening to music that your friends might not enjoy along with discovering new groups and expanding your own musical preferences. No matter what group or type of music you enjoy, you get to choose who to see and when.
Avoid Any Hassle Coordinating Schedules and Travel
Going to a concert by yourself is a great option if you aren’t a fan of complicated travel plans. Life can get complicated with everyone having their own things to do like work, school, families, and more. This can make coordinating schedules both difficult and bothersome. A solo adventure takes care of most issues, like deciding what event to attend or planning carpool rides. With only yourself to worry about, there will be no disagreements about how to get to the show or how early you want to arrive or leave. If you get there early enough, you have a good chance of finding a spot closer to the stage. And if things get too hectic or you get worn out quicker than you expected, you can take off whenever you want. No worrying about ruining someone else’s experience or cutting the fun short.
Control Your Own Budget
There is nothing worse than finally getting to see one of your favorite bands live, only to pass up on better seats to get seats next to your companion(s). Instead, splurge on the GA section closest to the stage, upgrade yourself to a VIP seat or get a pass to skip any long lines. Heck, make a whole trip of it and travel out of town to not just see your favorite performer live, but also explore the city hosting the concert. If you’ve started to make plans to head out of town, check out these exclusive travel deals with HotelPlanner.
Make New Friends
There will always be plenty of others who also choose to go to shows alone. Make conversation between band sets, while waiting in line for a bathroom break or getting a treat from the concession stands. Who knows? You could walk with a new friend after the show. If you have a more introverted personality, break the ice by just chatting about the show.
Discover a New Side of Yourself
Why not try it? Practical reasons aside, going to a concert alone allows for an opportunity for self-growth, especially if you’re used to attending events with family or friends who have the same interests as you. However, if you go to an event by yourself, it can be a freeing experience. We sometimes learn the most about ourselves, but only when alone. You can avoid the stress of keeping track of everyone in your group and you don’t need to worry about whether your concert buddy is having fun or not.
Instead, you can truly enjoy the performance and stay in the moment as you lose yourself to the music. Go ahead and dance like no one (that you know) is watching. Or if a friend usually drags you up from your seat to dance, take a load off your feet and save that energy. Let yourself shout out the lyrics with the rest of the crowd with no judgment from someone who knows you. How you decide to express yourself is valid and trying something new like this can help build up your confidence as well.
Tips For Attending Concerts Alone
Now that you’ve made the decision to go it alone, check out the following tips to stay safe while having fun at a concert.
Make A Plan
Figure out how you’ll be getting to the show. If you’re driving in your own personal vehicle, figure out if you’ll need a parking pass in advance and look up where to park. Depending on where the event is, you could save on costs by parking a bit further away and walking the rest of the way to where the venue is located. If you choose to enjoy a few drinks at the show, look at your other transportation options as you should never drive under the influence. Call a rideshare service like Uber or Lyft or take public transportation like a bus or train to safely make your way home.
Know the Venue
Before you buy your ticket, look up the size of the venue. If you’re the type of person who doesn’t do well with crowds or has issues with having your space invaded, try to find a section that allows for more breathing room. After you purchase your tickets, familiarize yourself with the venue and connected areas like the doors, security exits, bathrooms, and the bars or concession areas. This will make navigating any of these areas in the middle of the concert much easier.
Stay Alert and Aware
Don’t forget to stay hydrated. It can be easy to get carried away with singing and dancing to the music, but make sure to check in with yourself. If you start to feel light-headed or dizzy, take a quick break to get some water or find a place to rest. Bring some earplugs as things can get loud, especially if you end up right next to a speaker while trying to get closer to the stage.
If there’s an emergency, you’ll want to stay alert and be able to quickly and safely exit the venue. Remember where any security exits are located and keep your phone charged if you need to contact someone or emergency services.
Communication is Key
If you plan to attend an event by yourself, whether for the first time or if a friend was unable to join, you should always let someone know where you are. Another way to do this is by sharing your phone’s location with a friend or family member. If you decide to leave the event early or go to an after-party, let someone know where you will be in case of an emergency. Keep your phone charged and if the venue allows it, bring along a small portable charger to extend your battery life.
Follow these tips and you’ll be sure to have a safe and fun experience at the concert.
Get Concert Tickets
Have an amazing experience and get your concert tickets today with TicketSmarter. If you plan to attend a music festival where you can camp, check out TicketSmarter Insider’s camping guide for tips and tricks on how to survive camping and common festivals where you can camp.
