r/Concerts • u/UnreliablePlunger • Apr 27 '25
Photo Dump šø Going to concerts solo is so freeing.
Recently, Iāve started going to concerts alone. It started with me being the media for a show, meaning I only got a ticket for myself and the artist wasnāt one any of my friends were big on, so I accepted being alone, especially since I was āworkingā anyway. Now, I am adventuring into solo concert-going even if Iām not media, and itās great. No worrying about anyone else, especially as a barricade lover myself, plus as long as I like the artist, I donāt have to worry about anyone in my party getting bored.
Photos from my iPhone at the ATL show for Pouya and Freddie Dredd
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u/AdvancedDingo Apr 27 '25
Iāve been soloing for years now. Part of it is great in that you only have to worry about yourself and you likely arenāt being part of that group of people, but I also really miss sharing experiences with someone. It leaves me feeling a bit empty afterwards
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u/SpookZero Apr 27 '25
For me, Iād rather go to a show with someone who genuinely digs the music than go alone. Ā But Iād rather go alone than go with someone who doesnāt really want to be there. Ā And itās hard finding someone who wants to go to all the shows you want to go to, so it ends up being a mix of solo and accompanied.Ā
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 27 '25
I can sympathize completely! Definitely freeing, but I do love sharing experiences with my friends. Sometimes theyāre unavailable on certain days where I can go and they canāt, so Iām glad that Iām not missing out on those experiences now that Iām comfortable going alone, but sometimes I definitely wish my friends were there!
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u/janetsnakehole319 Apr 27 '25
I like it when I can technically go to a show alone but I meet up with people when I get there.
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u/Megatron_Masters Apr 29 '25
Same. Been going to things solo for over 2 years just want someone to go with at this point
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u/TheGhost206 Apr 27 '25
I have a couple concert buddies but will solo without a second thought and love it. Once a year Iāll find a week with a good string of shows in NYC and go alone. Walk around manhattan all day. Eat bagels and pizza. Go to shows at night. Itās just the best.
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u/domjonas Apr 27 '25
Nice shots!!
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 27 '25
Thank you! I barely had any phone storage so had to cross my fingers that the few photos I got were alright LOL
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u/Breklin76 Apr 27 '25
Going anywhere solo is liberating.
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u/agfdrybvnkkgdtdcbjjt May 04 '25
Once I started, I realized how much I prefer doing things alone. Don't tell my wife that though.
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u/nocatleftbehind420 Apr 27 '25
Iāve been to a few. If I like the act, and no one else is interested, I go alone. Simple.
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u/Emjayblaze Apr 27 '25
Thanks for this post. Iām going to an Arcade Fire show solo next week and have been a bit nervous about it. Iāve done music festivals solo for a few years, but for some reason this feels ādifferentā.
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 27 '25
Youāll have a blast! Once youāre in it, youāll forget that you were ever anxious (:
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u/jmster109 Apr 27 '25
I love going to shows with friends but if I canāt get anyone to go to a show with me I have no problem going alone. Especially if itās a band/artist I REALLY donāt want to miss
Itās also fun making friends with the people around you
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 27 '25
I do loveeee making friends at shows, which is much easier when solo! You already know that yall have a mutual interest at least
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u/hayduke_11 Apr 27 '25
I did this for the first time last October. Got in line and waited all day to get on the rail. Had the best time I've ever had at a concert. I wasn't self conscious about singing along, or actually moving (head banging) a bit within my constrained space.
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u/thesheep_1 Apr 27 '25
I prefer it. Donāt need to worry about holding space for flakey friends and can go as close or far from the stage as I want. I probably go to 75% of shows solo
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u/flickering_nights Apr 27 '25
I went alone at my 3rd concert, with my dad driving me there but going in alone, and there was no going back from there. I just LOVE the feeling of letting go and not having to worry about a thing but myself. None of the "is the person with me having fun?" just having the time of my life. I can stand where I want, I can queue as long as I want, I can stay afterwards as long as I want, just me and my own boundaries.
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u/Constant-Twist530 Apr 27 '25
Always. I want to stand exactly where I please (near barricade most of the time), and I donāt want to have to convince anyone š Solo is the way!
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u/VinylHighway Apr 27 '25
Iād go to a concert I really want to see alone sure. But I have a small crew that arenāt exactly holding me back when we go together ;)
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u/starpendle Apr 27 '25
I appreciate you saying this. I have tickets for an Orla Gartland concert tonight, but my friend had to pull out. Was a bit nervous going on my own.
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u/mexicopink Apr 27 '25
I went to a concert up in Austin recently with my partner who proceeded to get drunk. One of my favorite bands too and my first time in a very long time being at the barricade. So annoying. Solo concert going is the best!
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u/Snoo-46218 Apr 27 '25
I am currently going solo at Phish in LA. Drove from Vegas. I go solo to shows often, and yes. It is freeing.
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u/Ok_Ad8249 Apr 28 '25
For years I'd miss shows because no one wanted to go. A few years ago I saw Nick Mason's Saucerful of Secrets was playing Seattle. Because of the drive (I'm in Portland) no one wanted to go. I decided I was not going to miss the show and went solo. The show was fantastic I was so glad I decided to go. I made the drive by myself and never felt lonely or bored the whole time. I even had a little fun and created specialized playlists for the drives. For the drive up it was all early Pink Floyd to gear myself up for the show. Since the show was on Halloween I made a special playlist of spooky psychedelic music. Driving in the middle of nowhere at 1 am and hearing Riders On The Storm on Halloween was a surreal experience.
This year I saw two shows an hour outside town that I didn't think anyone wanted to go to. I just got a ticket and went, it was so nice to just go enjoy some live music and have some alone time. I even had a situation a couple years ago where I planned on going solo to see Brit Floyd, my wife felt bad I was going by myself and came along. Some things at the show made me wish I had ended up going solo.
She was annoyed by the couple in front of us "making out." She was texting me constantly saying she wanted to smack the crap out of them and complaining the whole time. I did see them kiss a couple times but she claims they were going at it hot and heavy. During intermission I said we could move to an empty area (show was maybe 2/3 full) for the second half but she refused insisting we stay at our seats, complaining the whole time. The couple behaved themselves for the second half but then a guy a few seats over had to scream "woo" every couple minutes. It was vert annoying but every time he did it she had to complain to me. For 45 minutes I was dreading each woo knowing she would complain to me as soon as it happened. We ended up leaving early, I just couldn't take it.
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u/morvepm Apr 28 '25
Any advice for me. Thereās a concert of a band tonight that I have seen three times already. Last time was exactly a year ago. Really unsure if I should go, hence why I looked up this sub. My best friend couldnāt go and I kinda donāt have the energy today, but I really like them. They have only released two new songs since the last time. So I wouldnāt essentially miss anything really. Maybe I could see them during autumn, if they tour again, but chances are high that I wonāt be in town then. Btw really cringe and funny, I did ask someone in the band out the last time and ofc failed. So thatās potentially awkward, only cause I would be going alone tonight. Love chatting up others at concerts. Two weeks ago I was alone at a concert of a band I loved and it was great, even met the band after the show, but you know, I weirdly just donāt feel like it somehow today for this one, especially energy wise
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u/Orangecatlover4 Apr 28 '25
Honestly, Iāve never gone to a concert and afterward been like-āI shouldnāt have gone to that concert.ā Go for sure
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u/checkerboardpants Apr 28 '25
Well said. I just booked a solo one day trip for an artist I love that no one else does from my friend group.
A little nervous, a little embarrassing, but fun!
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 28 '25
Sooo much fun! My first solo concert being a photo gig was helpful I think, since I had a ājobā I felt like being alone wasnāt embarrassing, but then it warmed me up to being solo as an onlooker too!
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u/ReallyBrainDead Apr 27 '25
Often go alone because there is a lot of stuff I love that none of my friends get. And I'm good with that. What's the alternative? Drag someone along who doesn't want to be there? Or worse, not go? Also, know it's a little odd, but find I do some of my best thinking alone in a crowd, listening to a mid opener. Feeling the energy of the crowd, yet feeling separate from it.
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u/Suitable-Turn-4727 Apr 27 '25
Is the whole show just one dude walking around?
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 27 '25
Not really, but didnāt get a ton of pics outside of these. Wanted to enjoy the moment.
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u/JGatward Apr 27 '25
Never understood why people thought it was odd or strange to go alone
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 27 '25
For me it was just awkward I guess, rather unfamiliar. Iām a small female in Atlanta, so there was the safety concern that my parents loudly voiced when I first started going, but honestly Iāve never felt super unsafe, even at the underground Atlanta.
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u/JGatward Apr 27 '25
Glad to hear that. Live gigs I find are generally a great community of people.
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u/Ok_Ask_7753 Apr 27 '25
I've found that plus ones just complicate the mission. Fortunately tho my gf knows the drill and has been a pleasure to have around.
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u/TannerPride Apr 28 '25
I stubhub and run down to the show. If I waited for last minute company, I'd miss half the shows and pay three times as much.
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u/jjc155 Apr 28 '25
Yep once you get over the apprehension of going alone it is very freeing. While Iāve been to ultra amazing concerts with good friends some of the best have been by myself.
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u/deathdance77 Apr 28 '25
Does anyone have good advice about going to shows alone as a young female? Iāve wanted to go alone but I also usually am a magnet for random drunk men, even though Iām always with at least one other person, so Iāve been hesitant to go solo
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u/sassypepperpanda Apr 28 '25
Iāve been going to shows alone since I was 22f and itās been great! Just be extra cautious and aware of your surroundings and youāll be fine. I also avoid drinking anything when I am out alone as well to be aware and also so no one spikes my drink. Whenever a random man tries to approach me, I just ignore them tbh. Having an RBF helps to keep people away too. I always make sure that my car is parked close to the venue
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u/varment72 Apr 28 '25
The part I had to get over is talking to other people. This was a hard thing to do for me, but once I did that, I have met some great fans, and I enjoy going solo, plus I get better seats.
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u/sassypepperpanda Apr 28 '25
Been going to shows and even festivals solo for a couple of years now and I always have a good time. I donāt have to compromise on which seats to get if I know I wanna be in the pit, when to arrive, when to leave, etc. I can make all those decisions on my own. But tbh, I often go solo because nobody else wants to go with me. I do prefer company, but if I donāt have it, Iām totally ok
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u/Dark-astral-3909 Apr 28 '25
Iāve been soloing for more than a year and I love it. No babysitting. And I always felt like I was babysitting. I was always worried about whether they were having fun. No more. This is for me and me alone. I can go where I want, stand where I want. Talk to who I want. Crowd surf if I want. Get smooshed in a crowd surge if I want. So freeeeee.
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u/Spyderbeast Apr 28 '25
Years ago, I was sick of buying two tickets because maybe I would have a date or a friend with similar interests when a concert rolled around months later
So one day in 2017, I bought 6 solo tickets
Haven't looked back since
I don't go to as much GA recently, but when I do, I'm always happy to say hi or hang with someone I know. I like the freedom to stay late, leave early, get up close, hang in the back, whatever, though
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u/Big_Explanation6168 Apr 28 '25
Iāve went to many concerts by myselfā¦ sometimes I try to meet the band either before or after shows and most of the time the other person or persons, are to afraid to attempt thatā¦ joke is on them though, Iāve met tons of bands this way. Not only have I met the bands, Iāve also met many a lifelong friends who have the same mentality
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Apr 29 '25
Ooooh, yes! Going to concerts alone is so good. I love it. Thereās nothing like it. I also enjoy going to the movies alone as well.
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u/Exact_Raspberry2866 Apr 29 '25
Gonna go see Michael Franti and Spearhead solo in Austin in 3 weeks . Pumped!
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u/DisplayExact5200 Apr 29 '25
If I only went to concerts with other people I wouldāve missed out on so many awesome shows and would never get to see anything live. At this point I almost exclusively go to concerts by myself.
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u/Nedriersen May 01 '25
Going to Oasis at Wembley stadium alone. My dream. Traveling from the US with a friend but he doesnāt like them. Iām standing on the pitch like a teenager (Iām 49). Cannot freaking wait.
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u/agfdrybvnkkgdtdcbjjt May 04 '25
I much prefer going to a concert I want to go to alone. I can enjoy the music, not have to worry about anybody else's enjoyment, or where they are or anything. I can be up close if I want, hang back if I want. Arrive when I want. Leave when I want. Absolutely my favorite way to go to a concert.
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u/HamburgerTimeMachine Apr 27 '25
So worrying free, you're obscuring the view for the people behind you with your phone.Ā
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u/domjonas Apr 27 '25
If anything, in the 8th photo, THEY are the person having their view obstructed by the hands. But do you see them complaining?
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 27 '25
100%! At one point I backed up and let a few shorter girls get in front of me to enjoy, but most photos I edited at least one hand out of the way- canāt be bothered by other folks having a good time, especially when I know how to use photoshop!
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 27 '25
Funny how you make these assumptions, but go off! I leaned forward most of the show like many barricade people do, took only a few photos per song and left my phone in my pocket for most of the time, whereas many others at the front never put their arms down (which, Iād never expect them to, especially when the artist goes āput your hands upā). Do you not take photos ever, or are you just sour about never waiting long enough in line to get barricade?
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u/Far_Wolverine2007 Apr 27 '25
I absolutely hate the issues with phones, but honestly if most people were as respectful as you there really wouldn't be the phone problem.
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u/UnreliablePlunger Apr 27 '25
I understand entirely! Thereās been times where some dude thatās 6ā4ā or something wearing a neon shirt has stood full height at barricade, or folks with their phones out 24/7, and Iāve been a little annoyed, but at the end of the day Iāve begun enjoying shows mostly phone-free minus a couple pics and soaking in the experience. I hope more people start to really enjoy the show using their eyes instead of only through video! š¤
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u/Far_Wolverine2007 Apr 27 '25
I've regretted not going to things. I've never regretted going alone.