Going to a gig on your own

[dm]

What are people’s feeling about this?

OK it won’t be the absolute first time I’ve done this. But it will be only the second time. And the previous occasion was in 1987!
   I’m going to see Sophie B Hawkins next Monday at the Jazz Cafe.  I asked my usual selection of friends and they were either not interested (which is fair enough) or working.
Ive been wanting to see her live for years and she so rarely does concerts in the UK,  so I’ve bitten the bullet and bought a ticket for one.   There are a couple of friends of mine who have been going to gigs solo for years and think nothing of it, but it’s an unfamiliar experience for me. I’m a bit apprehensive of attending on my own which is of course a bit silly for a man in his mid 50s.   Maybe I should just ‘grow a pair’ 
       Do fellow WHOers go to gigs solo?  

[Russ of the BML]

Would never have done this when younger, but now a bit older I couldn't give a fuck. Why miss something you want to see just because nobody else fancies it? And as Mr Anon said, I would rather go on my own than have to go with someone and worry if they are enjoying it. I have been to see a Bowie tribute twice on my own and went Jazz cafe to see a DJ. It's actually quite liberating without having to ask others about timings and eating and what pub to go and when to leave etc etc.

I have also started going cinema on my own. Much more enjoyable. I mean, you don't sit and chat anyway do you?

[only1billybonds]

Ah OK, that was me totally misreading your post.
Think that's the last we'll see of him in the UK,decent way to bow out of so.

[billywhitehorse]

bwh 

You're getting confused mate, the Saturday was cup final day, Tuesday 20th was The City home game. 

Yea, the drinks weren't great but in terms of sight and sound i thought it was very good. 

 

I meant I was there the same night as City at home as opposed to the same night as you!

It was De Bruyne's last home game.

I got a train back to London the following evening to coincide with the Spurs v Man Utd game so that I couldn't be tempted to watch it.

[only1billybonds]

bwh 

You're getting confused mate, the Saturday was cup final day, Tuesday 20th was The City home game. 

Yea, the drinks weren't great but in terms of sight and sound i thought it was very good. 

 

[billywhitehorse]

Billy 

What night did you go to Manchester?
I was there on the Saturday night,first time at that venue and was very impressed.

I was there the same night Man City were playing their final home game next door. Not great planning.

I thought the venue was OK, especially for acoustics and sight lines.

On the downside the leg room in the seats is really poor and the beer/ lager / cider choices are dire.

[Massive Attack]

 (I manged about half of G'n'R at Wembley in 19991 it was so poor).


 

I think I meant 1991?

Bungo is definitely from the future that's in-keeping with the profile pic. Tell me, in the year 19991, has the destructive Club killing Dinosaur Sullivan finally dead and that West Ham went on to play in a purpose built Football Stadium again? And if so, I presume Antonio is still playing up front for us..

[only1billybonds]

Billy 

What night did you go to Manchester?
I was there on the Saturday night,first time at that venue and was very impressed.

[Bungo]

 (I manged about half of G'n'R at Wembley in 19991 it was so poor).

 

I think I meant 1991?

[Bungo]

Saw Tank this time last week at the Cart & Horses in Stratford. 
Was fuckin great 
 

Blimey! Last time I saw Tank was supporting Motorhead in 82? (I think)

I presume the line up is a bit different now!

[Bungo]

Almost always. Football too now that #2 son is no longer close by.

I like the complete freedom and independence it gives you to go and do whatever you want, when you want without having a discussion/agreement. 

Many times I've left gigs sometime before the end when I'm not feeling it or the band are just dull (I manged about half of G'n'R at Wembley in 19991 it was so poor).

Social interation is highly overated.

[billywhitehorse]

Done it loads of times, gigs and festivals,comedy and music. I saw Springsteen in Manchester last month and had a great night. Met some great people up there, you really don't need familiar faces around you to enjoy yourself. Of course it's an individual thing,helps if your outgoing and have an open mind to others. 

I've done this many times too including Springsteen in Manchester!

Also regularly happens when I go to Country music gigs. The Mrs not a big Country fan but she did come to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville with me.

[zebthecat]

As with others only a few times when nobody else fancied it:
Killing Joke and SunnO))) - the latter twice.

[BRANDED]

No.

it was under a bridge too far in Arnhem.

techno, trance, house, hardstyle, hard techno

wankers

[joe royal]

I do this all the time. Just went to a festival in Holland. 

Was Sterophonics playing?
 

 

[BRANDED]

I do this all the time. Just went to a festival in Holland. 

[yngwies Cat]

I regularly go to gigs on my own on the account of nobody liking the bands I  like .

Few beers and you'll always get talking (or shouting) to like minded folk .

Saw Tank this time last week at the Cart & Horses in Stratford. 
Was fuckin great 

[joe royal]

Can only echo the others. Once you get over the perceived awkwardness it's actually better, not shouting at your mate to be heard, no spilling drinks and if you want to leave early you only have to think of yourself. 

[On The Ball]

I've missed multiple country artists in the last few years as I couldn't get anyone to go with me and I really regret that. It's stupid.

[Mr Anon]

better to go on your own then drag someone along and worry about them not enjoying it

[honky cat]

Did it a few of times. Once Amy Winehouse, i had a pair of tickets, no one interested. Ended up standing up on the central line on the way there asking if anyone fancied it, a studenty type did, bought me a drink on the way in and we went our own way. I was right at the front and no one was a bit interested in me. 

The other time was Zero 7. Again no one up for it. I stood next to a group of people, we got chatting watching the support band half an hour later the same group of people appeared on stage. It was them .  .

Depeche mode at the bowl.

Go in, get a drink - if you drink - and have a great time. You wouldnt think twice going to watch a match.

It ended up being one of Winehouses last shows, and depeche mode is now a duo. So just go.

[Pub Bigot]

I’ve done it at football several times whether ground hopping or aways where others can’t get tickets. I don’t care about being billy no mates, I care about experiencing the moment. Yes it’s better as a shared experience, but if you deprive yourself of doing something you like because you need the confidence of others being around you, or because you just like to share moments it’s fair enough, but ultimately you’re robbing yourself of a good time. 

I’m headed to Belfast to see Killswitch Engage with mates in October, but I’ll be headed to the Oval to watch Glentoran play on my own (assuming they’re at home).

[violator]

Done it loads of times, especially if its a band that Mrs V doesn't like or has seen a few times with me before.

[On The Ball]

Did it for the first time a week ago today - there's something about a young black Country (with 'urban' hints) singer with few hits that just doesn't appeal to my friends.

Found it really uncomfortable to begin with but I was fine in the end. I realised that I have probably never noticed if someone is on their own because I'm either looking at the stage or the bar. And I remembered the end of the gig as I hadn't been in the pub with mates for hours beforehand as well!

[goose]

I might have to do this for the first time in October for a band I really want to see that no one else I know is bothered about.  There's bands now I really regret not seeing that are unlikely to tour live anymore (Fleetwood Mac/Daft Punk).

Steps??

[only1billybonds]

XK.

Not at all, I just have the confidence not to need familiar faces around me to feel safe/enjoy myself.