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Gigs alone

suvigirl

I am a very independent person, I live alone, I travel alone ( I do also go away with others, I just don't wait for someone else if I want to go myself,I go )

I go to the cinema and to dinner alone etc.....

I find gigs alone very hard though, on occasion I have bought 2 tickets & brought a friend, but this is not a great idea, I learned my lesson for a Tom Petty gig, the person I brought wasn't a fan and just got drunk, and was very annoying!

How many of ye would go alone, and what advise would.you give? I'm female btw.

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rainagain

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120724090#Comment_120724090

I'm closer to 50 than 40, never had inhibitions thankfully. First time I went out solo was to see the film "Singles" in the cinema. Next time was to see Soul Asylum in the SFX and after that it was a no brainer to enjoy gigs, films, travel and anything else I was interested in on my own. Other female friends asked me was I not scared etcetc, my reply was I do not want to look back at missed opportunities with regret. I've no bucket list, and great memories :)

techman1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120726653#Comment_120726653

If I remember Gerry Ryan was raving about it on the radio so I decided to go based on that, the crowd were all chanting stairway but they didn't play it. Overall not that great, big egos more than big music

dasdog

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120724090#Comment_120724090

Now that I think of it - I won a ticket on the Tom Hayes rock show and went to Gang Green in McGonagles alone when I was 15. Kind of knew I'd know some of the thrash scene there, which I did, but I've been going to gigs alone for years.

Dreamweapon

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120724090#Comment_120724090

I started going to gigs on my own in my late teens and would often have to hitch back home from Dublin afterwards. I couldn't understand why anyone would miss a gig for such trivial reasons, and i was pretty shy back then. Those were the days when you didn't even have a phone to stare into either. You just hung around or (gasp!) talked to a stranger.

delbertgrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120726400#Comment_120726400

Well, the one I was referring to was 1995, with the Egyptian and Moroccan musicians, but I was at the 1998 gig as well.

techman1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120724668#Comment_120724668

Was that page and plant in the point in 1998, I went to that ,to be honest I went just because of the name but they were a bit underwhelming. Way better bands at blues festivals I've been to than those guys

delbertgrady

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120724090#Comment_120724090

For me, it was always better to see the gig, and going on my own didn't bother me. When I was in my twenties, I would have had to forsake a lot of shows if my main concern was going on my own: Page and Plant "Unledded," Smashing Pumpkins in the SFX, Radiohead, Elliott Smith, The Blue Nile, Blur, Wilco. Probably others. Much happier to have gone.

techman1

Probably most people commenting on this thread are over 40 and have finally shaken off the inhibitions of going alone to events. I think the whole "I can't be seen alone" is really a young person's worry as friends and peer groups are so important for younger people.

I think the point about all those events being closed for 2 years is another big factor, people no longer want to miss out and don't take it for granted anymore

billyhead

I love going to gigs on my own and staying on the dry. You enjoy and remember it more.

fallen01angel

Female here,being going to gigs on my own now for a couple of yrs,alot of my friends wouldn't have the same taste as me, and I missed a lot of gigs because of being too "scared" to do it solo. The 1st time I finally put on my big girl pants,I was a bit paranoid, thinking oooh everyone is looking at me,l must look like such a loser on my own.

But the truth of the matter is, I never looked back, I've never had an ounce of trouble, never had to worry about minding someone and being able to do my own thing.

My only advice is keep your head about you,don't get wasted,know where you're going and make sure you know how you're getting home. If you live outside Dublin I highly recommend a travel service called Travel Master,they have buses running to and from most of the big Dublin concerts. After you've experienced your 1st solo gig you'll never look back!!!!

furiousox

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120722202#Comment_120722202

Yeah was at the Royal Albert Hall gig on the 30/5, they're a great band with a very loyal fanbase.

Hotblack Desiato

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120721233#Comment_120721233

This gig ain't big enough for the both of us 😁

Decided the day before to go to Beck last year. OH wasn't mad keen so I said feck it and just went on my own. It was great. Helps that Trinity is such an easy venue to get to and back from. Had time for an Iskander's and the last bus home 😉

endainoz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120721233#Comment_120721233

You won't be disappointed, I saw them in Glasgow recently and they were amazing!

furiousox

Solo trip to Berlin coming up this Sunday to see Sparks 😃

Mrs Shuttleworth

I go to most gigs on my own now - not because I don't have mates but because I really wanna focus on the act, get down the front if I want to etc. I'd never miss an act that's playing just because I didn't have to anyone to go with - the music is too important! And remember we've just come out of a period where for two years there were no gigs at all, so make the most of it.

One of the good things about "globalism" is now it's much easier to do things on your own - more people travelling the world and in cities on their own far from home. They still want to socialise and enjoy culture and have fun!

And as someone else said - you'll usually manage to get in on your own to an event that's long sold out....

skimpydoo

I am the co-founder of the Meetup Group Are you ready to rock in Dublin. We go to all kinds of rock gigs from country rock and gothic through to blues and metal. So if you don't want to go to gigs alone this is the perfect group for you. More details are below.

https://www.meetup.com/are-you-ready-to-rock-in-dublin-meetup-group/

Electric Nitwit

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120682330#Comment_120682330

I agree. I'd love it if someone playing, for example, Whelan's did an afternoon show beforehand that I could take the kids to. I guess there's just not enough money in it, especially when you remove any bar take they get for evening shows

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120681241#Comment_120681241

...they really should be running more all age gigs, i couldnt give a sh1t if no alcohol is sold or not, its great to accommodate younger fans....

RoryMurphyJnr

Go to most of my gigs alone, all metal and my son who loves most metal is only 16 so that's him out for a lot of them.

hynesie08

Also, it's a **** tonne easier to get a ticket for a sold out gig if you're solo, and people are usually offloading for cheap.

iamstop

I regularly go to gigs and festivals alone. Usually end up seeing someone I know there. Hang with them for a bit but not strapped to them for the whole gig. Can still go off and do my own thing.

fafy

I have 3 pronged strategy.

The biggest chunk of gigs, i go to with a close friend, were on the same page on most things musically, but have differences too musically, have gone to Europe and the UK multiple times with them, local gigs and Dublin gigs. If we need to get up close, and q for a few hours, for bigger arena/stadium gigs ,we don’t drink until after the gig, its just a pain.

The next batch is gigs i go to, with my partner, our tastes are quite different, but theres a good few we both like, so we go together.

Then theres a smaller batch of gigs, i go to on my own, these tend to be niche acts, i don’t bother asking anyone, as i want to see them, and know, most people wouldn’t get it. I’ve met randomers at many of these gigs and had a good time, and when my friend twisted their ankle a few days before EP last year, i went on my own, and would do it again as many people there, are in the same boat, and as they are there for the weekend, people are more inclined to chat, as not going anywhere else.

Generally, if going with someone else, if youre big into the act and they never even heard of them, that may not be a good idea, for more well known acts, they maybe some appreciation, but if its a niche act, then go on your own, as someone not into them, will be a liability ! However, if you can find a friend of a friend/work colleague etc with similar music interests, that might be better.

TheIrishGrover

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120679736#Comment_120679736

True dat

Say Your Number

I'd rather if gigs were full of loners interested in the music, over inane dickheads only there for a nice f*cking chat.

TheIrishGrover

I have gone to many gigs alone. There is great craic to be had if you were with friend(s) but sometimes that's not possible.. especially for concerts mid week.

However i can imagine it could be different for women on their own. I'm glad to hear that the reaction has been positive in general for women going on their own.

The only thing for me is when going to the cinema. I am a big fan of animation and none of my friends are so I'm a little bit wary of going to animated movies on my own... just the optics aren't good. It doesn't put me off but I'm always a little bit paranoid so usually I aim for later showings.

Zarkandar

These days I'd say about half the gigs I go to are on my own, loads of people now have family commitments or just aren't keeping up with new music and I definitely find it better on own than bringing someone who may not enjoy the gig, as even if they're just watching politely, you then worry are they enjoying themselves and you can't enjoy the gig yourself. First few times I went by myself, when I went into watch support act, the gap between support & main act could be a bit awkward with everyone else chatting in groups but you quickly get past that.

[Deleted User]

I went to a gig alone and enjoyed myself. I wouldn't have said no to some company but at that time nobody else was interested so i went myself. No one will really care that you're alone and you might even make a few friends along the way seeing as you'll have that gig and music in common. I also go to the cinema myself now and then and i don't think once about it. I enjoy sitting in silence and just watching the film.

countryliving

i am a very independent lady as well and go lots of places on my own, it saves so much hassle i am single no commitments and if i was to be waiting around trying to get someone to go to a gig with me i would still be waiting!! i am now comfortable going to stuff on my own - i go to the theatre, cinema, mainly big stuff like in the point or whatever that is called now!! showing my age here but i can be independent and don't have to rely on anyone. you go for it girl....

TheDocMan

Yea same as most of the above sentiments....I go on my own to most gigs as very few with same tastes as me. Hate the dragging someone along who's not interested.

I travel about 90mins to Dublin ( Red Cow ) and then Luas into town for gigs. I actually love the travelling home with the music blasting.

Plenty of singles at gigs from what I observe

dasdog

I love going by myself. My first alone was The Black Crowes in 1991 when I was still a teenager. Nobody else was going but I wanted to see them so just went. About half the gigs I go to now are by myself. No complainers, arguments, those wanting to leave or stay, bad time keepers and such. Getting lost in a crowd is also something to be cherished. Soak it up instead of going out for a night yapping.

The only ones over the years I would not have gone to alone were some raves where having a few friends might have come in handy just in case.