I’ve been to a fair few gigs and a handful of them have been alone. In this post, I will weigh the pros and cons of going to gigs alone.
My favorite thing about going to gigs alone is that I can do my own thing. I don’t have to worry about losing my friends in the crowd and I can get there when I want and hang out until the wee hours of the morning. In this, I can also meet new people, usually others going to concerts alone, as well.
On the other hand, something I like about going to gigs with someone else is the general companionship of a friend: someone to get excited with, share the experience with and talk about it afterwards with. Also, having someone to talk to between bands and before the gig is a good way to pass the time!
On Enter Shikari’s Take to the Skies ten year anniversary tour, I went to two dates: one with my friend Tim in Riverside, California and one alone in Phoenix. For the California date, Tim was nice enough to give me a ride, supply the drinks and we both got excited over the gig together. He was also the one who got the band’s attention on Twitter before the gig so we could give them a fan book I made. Although Tim and I lost each other inside (he was towards the front and I was in the mosh pit), we cross paths a few times and easily found each other after to talk about the show from where we were in the crowd and our favorite moments. Thankfully, Tim is just as into the band as I am, so he was more than happy to wait after the show to speak with them, which sometimes isn’t the case. We had a great time with each other, the band and meeting other fans.
A few days later, I went to the Phoenix date of the same tour alone. I arrived as the doors were opening, hoping to see the Enter Shikari band members during the openers. Before Enter Shikari, I had a good conversation with a couple, which probably wouldn’t have happened if I was with a friend. The actual performance experience was about the same: excellent, except for the fact that I sprained joint in my collar bone that night. Like the California show, I hung out after and got to talk to some of the band members again.
Both shows were great in their own ways and I usually don’t mind going to gigs alone, but it’s definitely preferable to go with someone, especially someone as awesome as Tim! I’m looking forward to going to a lot of upcoming gigs with my roommate Diego and a few other friends, including Enter Shikari twice again.
I feel you!! I only go to gigs with friends or people are the same as me! Otherwise you just don’t enjoy it. When going alone it’s always a bit of a drag if you have to wait in between bands. But I went and I’m going to The Script gigs alone and I’m never alone there. We are one family and that’s really really cool and you don’t get that a lot. I loved your post to finish my long comment😂😂🎶🎤