Ah, concert-going, one of my favorite past-times last year. I think I might have went to the most concerts in one year that I ever have before . And you know what? I did most of them by myself. I even drove from VA to NYC on my own, went to the concert the next day, then bummed around the big apple and went home the day after that. If you haven't attended a concert by yourself before, but there's a show you want to see and you have no one to go with, just go!
If you're about to say "I could never do that," I have a lot of friends and family that say the same thing, please don't be scared to do it! Although I totally understand. The first time I went I had no idea what to expect and was ridiculously unsure of how it would go. But it turned out great! I started talking to another girl in line who was by herself, and then two friends on the other side of me joined in the conversation. Before long we were all huddled under someone else's big umbrella, soaking wet from the rain, smushed together and making connections. We stuck by each other the whole rest of the day/night, holding places in line or in the pit for bathroom breaks, and walking out of the arena together until we had to part ways to go to our cars. It was the coolest thing. This has happened at the other shows I've solo'd as well, without fail. Sometimes its a group of people and sometimes its just one or two others, but every time I go alone, I never end up staying alone. In fact, I went to a Gorillaz concert in Ireland with a couple that I had met at the same band's show in LA the year before.
Concert culture is amazing. Everyone is there to have a good time and its like a big party for people who can all come together to enjoy this experience. Stage divers, crowd surfers, moshers, and general concert-goers are like a temporary family and everyone seems to ensure that no one gets hurt, and if any one does they tend to get them to someone who can care for them quickly. Performers make sure that the crowd stays hydrated, and the crowd is good about passing on the water bottles after taking a reasonable sip for themselves (without touching the top of course). Something about it is so comforting and uplifting to me and makes the experience just that much better. Camaraderie seems to happen naturally and without prompting, with genuine connections being made everywhere.
Of course there are some negative nancies out there, but honestly, they've been few and far between in my experience and most of what there is seems to be due to over imbibing at the show. People get too drunk and start to act stupid and then they're mostly just a nuisance. Also, at the concerts I've been to, fighting hasn't been tolerated, and perpetrators get escorted pretty swiftly. Even the band will call them out saying something like "that's not what we're here for" or "let's all just have a good time" or something else along those lines.
If there's something out there you want to do, don't miss out because you can't find someone to go with. Be smart, stay alert, find some people to hang out with, but above all have fun!
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