Going to shows by yourself

LukinFan wrote:

Another thread reminded me of this. I guess I'm at a point in my life where the majority of my friends don't want to go to shows any more- which sucks. My wife doesn't even like the small club in door ones because the smoke really bothers here, which I completely understand.

Live concerts are my drugs. They are a way to relive stress from work- just a great way to rock out. So, when I really want to see a band, I'll venture off to the show by myself. I've only done this three times in my life and they are all in the past year and a half.

The three are...

1. Pearl Jam in West Palm Beach- my boy backed out at the last minute, but it was okay beacuse I met Release30 there tailgating and he rocks so I had a blast!

2. Nonpoint w/ Drowning Pool and Egypt Central- Nonpoint is one of my favorite bands. I've seen them a ton of times, but it had been awhile. After the show I got my pic taken with the drummer and he got the entire band to sign my show poster.

3. Blind Melon- Not a huge fan, but I used to really be into them- had a great time. They blew me away.


So anyone else go to shows by themselves? Any good experiences? Any bad ones? Any funny ones?

I went and saw the Heartless Bastards by myself. It was a Wednesday and no one wanted to go out on a "school night." It was a great time, small crowd, and I got to stand 5 feet away from the band. That little chick lead singer can bring it. The bummer was not being able to share the music with friends. You can't explain that feeling afterwards, atleast I can't. But, I would go again by myself, no doubt.

I see shows by myself all the time. Flew to MN to see Prince 3 times in one day, did the first day of Lolla alone. I plan my business trips around shows I want to see and have the best time. That includes eating alone. I am the best company.

manhattan wrote:

I've been to may places (including concerts) alone. It's actually not bad. You can come and go as you please, and if you don't feel like talking to anybody, you don't have to. You don't have to worry about whether the other person is having a good time. I've eaten at restaurants by myself many times. It doesn't bother me, but I have to say a solo female diner gets lousy service.

I also go lots of places alone...concerts are altogether an OK place to be alone, because there's a lot of - for lack of a better word - fellowship going on. And I always meet supercool people.

And: I have *also* noticed that I get better service when I'm not eating alone! Grrr!

Daisy_Buchanan wrote:

I also go lots of places alone...concerts are altogether an OK place to be alone, because there's a lot of - for lack of a better word - fellowship going on. And I always meet supercool people.

And: I have *also* noticed that I get better service when I'm not eating alone! Grrr!

That's so funny, I've been eating alone in restaurants for years and have *never* noticed a difference in service!!! Are you guys eating at the same place with friends sometimes, then alone sometimes, and that's how you compare? I just find places with lousy service are consistently lousy, whether I'm with friends or not.

Count me in as yet another person who goes to shows and movies etc alone and not only don't I mind it, I usually prefer it. I saw a movie with a friend last year and she talked CONSTANTLY through the movie, she's a good friend but my first movie with her and I wanted to smack her!

Sometimes it's definitely fun to go out in groups or with that special someone, but usually I'd rather go to shows and movies alone so I can really focus on the show and go where I want when I want. I did once have a totally cool significant other who didn't care if I left them alone to be up close, or further back, or went over to chat with a band member. In that relationship I enjoyed going to shows au deux because I could still do what I wanted!

Travelling is the only thing I like both ways. Some trips I definitely prefer to go on my own, especially if I only have a short time to see things, I can make up my own agenda and don't have to worry about anyone else's priorities. But a lot of trips I enjoy being with other people too. Another bonus of travelling alone - I meet WAY more new people alone than with friends or dates. But I've had good travel times with friends too that I would do with those friends again if I could rewind time.

But mostly... I save bar hopping and social events for friends/dates, and do shows and movies alone. Best of both worlds.

Good thread...just wanted to say congrats to everyone who ventures out to shows alone and has a great time.

I have seen PJ by myself several times in different cities...my wife is very supportive and knows how much PJ means to me even though none of my friends get it. It did take some getting used to, but once you do it once, it gets easier. I used to be worried about what other people thought of me when they notice I am alone at a show. Now I am like screw it, I love Pearl Jam...it is great to get away for a day or two and I don't care what people think.

I hope everyone continues to give props and respect (and do not be afraid to say hi) to those of us fairly normal, non-loners, who travel by themselves to go see their absolute favorite band.

Luke

i went to see wilco alone last year. Last month I went to see a double bill with soul asylum and gin blossoms alon, that was cool, too. I go to movies alone and it's really no different. If you want to see a show, see it. I have a friend that can't do anything alone, he's gotta have like 5 people with him all the time. It's a little sad. He calls people up to go to wall greens.

Jboogie wrote:

Oh yeah,also,I'm off to see the Foo Fighters tonite by myself.

Just got back on from the Foo Fighters show,1st time seeing them live & they put on a good set,Dave Grohl has a lot of energy & they still must be feeling it from the Who honors cause they did 2 Who songs,Young Man Blues & Bargain & they rocked both of them.

I go to shows by myself. I've only been to one PJ show solo and I think it was the warm up for Yield at the Showbox. I haven't done a large arena show alone but I would if I had to...

Over the last 2 years I've started going to most shows by myself. I got sick of paying the money for 2 tickets and dragging along one of my friends who wasn't really a fan of the music. Most of the time I ended up having a worse time because I knew my friend wasn't really into it. I've found that I almost end up meeting cool people at the shows I go solo to. Often I can get better seats/tickets since it's just me. I went so far as to go to Bonnaroo alone this year because everyone bailed and there was no way I was going to miss PJ.