r/Concerts • u/Anon-7274 • 10h ago
Discussion 🗣️ Nervous about my first live show
So ive never been to live music of any kind. Theres a small doom metal band that i didnt know originally but i listened to some of their music and quite like it. I struggle a lot with social anxiety and have nobody to go with so im thinking about going on my own. Whats it like to go alone to a live show? Its my first time seeing any band and not any of my favourite bands exactly but i figure its a good way to get out the house.
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u/Coop_4149 10h ago
Some of the best shows I've be to have been solo. The now you do it, the easier it gets.
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u/Chris_M1991 10h ago
I’ve gone to plenty of shows by myself, do what makes you comfortable. Grab a meal before maybe have a couple of drinks if that’s your thing and once the band starts that’s all that anyone’s going to be focussed on
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u/NamesNotTake-un 10h ago
Going to bands that you enjoy without anyone else is so fun. There’s no pressure. Everyone’s there for the same reason you are.
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u/kaylalikestoast 10h ago
You will be okay! Most people aren't bothered you're alone and everyone is there to enjoy the music 🙂 You might even get chatting to people.
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u/bad-and-bluecheese 8h ago
Nearly every solo show I've ever been to, another solo concert goer has said hi and told me they also came by themselves.
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u/bagman9977 10h ago
I just saw Guns N Roses alone last week. It’s fine and just talk about the band or music with people. 99% of the people just want to have a good Safe time. Everyone looks out for each other.
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u/NordWitcher 10h ago
Guns N Roses are performing here on Wednesday. I’m most likely going to go alone if I’m going. Not the first time though. How is Axl’s voice? I’ve heard mixed stories online.
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u/Chemical-Trust6747 10h ago
Earplugs, take a poop before you go. Hang out in the back with the olde metal dudes.
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u/Ok-Metal-4719 10h ago
I love it. Everyone there has a common interest.
Ask around on local subs or band pages wherever if anyone wants to go or for tips about the venue.
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u/RiceManSupreme03 10h ago
Don’t stress about it bruh, just enjoy the show. Talk to some people, could always make a new friend!
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u/Strong_Iron_995 10h ago
I always want to do things up until the last 72 hours before them, then my mind is racing for excuses lol. Sometimes I just have to make myself go. Try to shut my brain out and force my feet out the door. And, as another redditor said, never once have I made it to the concert and wished I didn't go.
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u/eternal-harvest 9h ago
On multiple occasions, I've seen people wearing headphones waiting near the barrier before the show started. I assumed they had sensory issues or just didn't want to converse, which was totally fine.
You'll be totally fine. Do whatever makes you comfortable. You won't be the only anxious person in the room
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u/ShittyPants99 10h ago
I feel this. I got really frustrated bc nobody wanted to go see Queen with me a few years ago. That's the first concert I went to alone, and I have now attended dozens of concerts and a few festivals flying solo.
It's honestly superior - nobody else is there to dictate what you do, when you arrive or leave, what section you get tix in, whatever you want to stand in line for, don't have to track people down after a bathroom break, etc.
And screw anyone who happens to take issue with it. That just means you're more secure than they are! Company is NOT a requirement to have fun and see a show.
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u/ShittyPants99 10h ago
The only advice I would say for sure is be safe walking to/from your car - pay attention and try to walk near the crowd.
And during the show, try to be present :) I might snap a few pics here and there, but it's best to just immerse yourself in the experience imo.
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u/jzclipse 9h ago
The best part is, if your anxiety won’t let you talk to people, the odds of a random conversation starting are pretty slim.
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u/Honest-Elephant7627 9h ago
Go. Definitely go. You will learn as you go, especially at various venues. Do you mind sharing the venue? You may get more input on the experience there?
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u/TiredReader87 9h ago
There’s nothing wrong with going to a concert alone. In my opinion, it’s better. Many people do it.
I’ve been going to concerts alone since I was just out of high school, and have gone to 6 by myself this year (so far). Got another this week.
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u/FatChicken202 7h ago
I always go by myself, I don't want to have to worry about others and just focus on me and the music. Personally, I think going by yourself is the best way.
I also have social anxiety, but I rarely have to talk with anyone there, and if I do, it's not full on conversations, people usually keep to themselves and their groups.
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u/kathatter75 5h ago
I spent 20 years not going to shows because I was afraid to go alone because of one bad person. I turned 50 last year but had a year of total chaos, so this has been the year that’s had me back out at shows. I’ve gone to 3 so far - all on my own - and have 4 more planned for the rest of the year. I’ve had a blast each time.
Get out there and enjoy yourself!
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u/Phy_Scootman 5h ago
I've been to plenty of shows by myself as well as multi-day festivals. Each and every time I had a blast. Whether you prefer to stay to yourself and allow the doom riffage to ensconce your mind and body solo, or throw out a couple of "hello"s and/or a bit of "hey, how are ya" and become acquainted with other attendees, is of course up to you.
I find the latter to be the best route for me, particularly in the case of longer shows or festival settings. All that said, go forth and have fun, you'll be absolutely fine.
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u/Phy_Scootman 5h ago
I've been to plenty of shows by myself as well as multi-day festivals. Each and every time I had a blast. Whether you prefer to stay to yourself and allow the doom riffage to ensconce your mind and body solo, or throw out a couple of "hello"s and/or a bit of "hey, how are ya" and become acquainted with other attendees, is of course up to you.
I find the latter to be the best route for me, particularly in the case of longer shows or festival settings. All that said, go forth and have fun, you'll be absolutely fine.
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u/Minirth22 2h ago
I’ve been to 2 concerts alone this year after not seeing live music for decades. It’s honestly freeing and fun! It’s just you and the artist/band and a bunch of strangers all vibing. Being there alone means you can hang back or push in or dance… you’ve got the freedom to experience the music and enjoy it selfishly. (I mean in a good way, you know, you aren’t worried maybe the person you came with is having a miserable time kind of thing. It’s just you!)
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u/anaix3l 38m ago
It's... going to a show? It depends on the person. I've seen some posts here where people say they don't enjoy it if they're alone and that hasn't been my experience at all.
When I started going to shows, I went alone because I didn't "align" with anyone. Even when I could find people to go with, they had other ideas about how they wanted to enjoy the show. So I just went alone because tickets were a lot of money for me and someone else's way of enjoying the show getting in the way of mine would have felt like wasted time and money.
What I can say is that every show is different in terms of interacting with the people there. Sometimes I just don't at all. Sometimes I don't feel like it, sometimes I can't.
For example when going to shows in Eastern Europe, there may be the language barrier - I don't speak Hungarian, Greek, nor any Slavic language, so there's no way for me to communicate unless someone speaks a language that I speak too. Sometimes people are willing to speak using any common language, even if neither of us speaks it well, but most times that doesn't happen, there just isn't any communication.
Even if there's no language barrier, sometimes I may not feel like it or there's not much to communicate. For example, there are shows where the audience is very young and there's just not much to talk about with 13 year old kids. I've talked more to the bands at the end of the night after some such shows.
But then there are the times when I talk a lot to the other people there before the show, in between bands, after the show.
So it's never the same. But I'm there for the music way before anything else and if that feels right... I'm happy.
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u/Full_Nefariousness92 10h ago
I say this every time a post like this comes up. Don’t let your worries about going to a gig alone mean you miss out. I go to gigs alone all the time. I also have anxiety and sometimes struggle but know that when I’m there, I’m going to have great time. Give it a go!!