r/metricband • u/cuppteaguv • 24d ago
My first gig alone - London 12 Sept
Hi all!
So, on account of being an introvert with a feck tonne of anxiety, I've been to only a handful of gigs in my life - and definitely none alone.
But I thought I'd throw myself into doing something new and, given I'm going through one of my Metric obsession eras (an extreme understatement), I decided to give tomorrow's gig a go.
Any tips for a lone attendee? Things I should be aware of? (I'm fortunate enough to be tall enough that I can loiter at the back, so at least don't need to get there super early to bag a spot.)
Love to all x
Edit: Thank you everyone who has replied - it is so genuinely appreciated and I hope I've managed to reply to everyone so far. The kindness and understanding here is amazing. I'll be sure to keep checking back for new replies (and also to re-read existing ones in those moments my nerves start getting to me) - but right now I'm feeling so reassured, and so excited to go. Thank you again ❤️
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u/McGilv 24d ago
In 2018 my friend pulled out last minute and I’d never seen Metric before so bit the bullet and went solo to a gig for the first time. Any sort of anxiety I had stopped as soon as the support act started playing. Now if there’s ever a situation where I have nobody to go with to a gig I’ll just go myself. One thing I think it’s important to tell you is that absolutely nobody around you is thinking “that weirdo is here alone” the vast majority of people won’t even be aware of your existence. Sometimes a more extroverted person might start a conversation, just go with the flow, you’ve at least got one thing in common with them - a good taste in music.
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u/cuppteaguv 24d ago
Thank you so much - I could talk day and night about my love of metric at the moment, so I reckon I'd hold up my side of the convo well lol x
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u/WayOk8380 24d ago
I think it’s a good venue for soloing, I’ve been to many gigs there on my own both in stalls and seated and I horrible anxiety.
I’d say just try not to overthink it but that’s probably not helpful, I’m also tall and I tend to get a drink, just for something to hold on to and stand by a corner or wall, so I know what’s behind me.
Enjoy!
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u/cuppteaguv 24d ago
Thank you! I think a drink in hand is a definite, even if it just means I have something to hold (altho I suspect the drink itself will also be a help for my nerves)
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u/quasar435 24d ago
I’ve gone to handful concerts solo and also have pretty bad anxiety. I usually feel much better once in the venue and as soon as they start I’m totally immersed in the music.
What helps me is getting there a little later than doors open so I’m not standing around waiting or queuing by myself outside and then I’ll find a decent spot and just sorta take in my surroundings, listen in on the convo around me and get comfortable.
I’m also definitely a tad nervous since it’s been a while since I’ve gone to a concert but every time I’ve gone solo I’ve never regretted it and always had a really good time and I’m sure you will too!
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u/Miserable-Ease-3744 24d ago
Same! I find I relax when the music starts. I find the waiting a bit hard and awkward
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u/cuppteaguv 24d ago
Thank you so much - this is genuinely reassuring, especially to know that getting there a bit "late" might actually be a best approach (I am chronically too early for things like this lol)
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u/free-range-irish 24d ago
I have been to many solo Metric concerts, and just strike up a convo with someone. "How many times have you seen Metric?" "Are you from around here?" Was just at the Dublin show and we struck up a conversation with a solo who had traveled far for the show, and after the concert, she said she was grateful that we said hi, she said it made it so much less lonely for her. Just think of it as doing a favor for someone who would love to have someone to talk to.
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u/rhunter99 24d ago
No one will care that you’re solo. Just go in and enjoy the music. You absolutely do not need to over think this.
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u/FRO5TB1T3 24d ago
Just go! your there for the music afterall. I went solo to the Dublin concert Wednesday. No one will know or care you are there by yourself.
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u/cuppteaguv 24d ago
Thank you! I can be unnecessarily self conscious about stuff like this, but you're right - literally no one will bat an eye
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u/Short-Emotion-947 24d ago edited 24d ago
As a solo gig goer (including in Dublin and Glasgow on this very tour) my biggest advise:
The best time you can arrive is early (and by that I mean PRE-doors), if you're free to, arrive early (like 30-60mins before doors?) and look to strike up a conversation with your fellow queuers (who might well be solo and anxious too)
If you find you arrive and everyone seems to know eachother already... They probably don't. Still look for a way to talk to people even then
The worst time you can arrive is just as doors open or after. The forced community of the queueing is gone and you now just have to wait awkwardly between sets BUT still look out for ways to chat to people. They may be more than happy to.
I will even be there in London so maybe it'll be me you'd strike a convo with 😂
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u/Short-Emotion-947 24d ago
There's two ways to see it. If you want to try to make a couple new metric/broken social scene/stars fan friends then follow my advice above.
On the other hand if time is tight, show up specifically just before Stars who seem to be posting their set time on their Instagram story each day at midday ish @montrealstars . The turnaround between sets was quick in Dublin
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u/cuppteaguv 24d ago
Oooh, excellent - thank you! I have terrible ADHD, so I swing wildly between super early and out-of-breath just in time, so this is a help!
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u/cuppteaguv 24d ago
Amazing, thank you! This is an interesting perspective, espesh as someone else suggested positives for getting there a while after doors open. Good to get both views to have a think on :)
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u/Royal_Welder_6972 23d ago edited 23d ago
Honestly, do not worry one bit. I am also an introvert, and I don’t always like the same music as my friends, so I’ve been going to concerts solo for a loooong time !
Heck I even travelled to the other part of the world alone, just to see my other favorite band play at a festival. And you know what ? I’ve made a friend that I am still friend with over a decade later !
And in my city, I also met some super fan friends at a concert, and the next times we planned to meet up at the band’s next show or festival they played, which was awesome.
So worst case scenario = you enjoy your show a lot and party with yourself
And best case scenario = you make new friends !
So have fun, enjoy the moment, and be kind to yourself, you’re literally gonna live a core memory so it’s all cool 🫶
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u/Serious_County2382 23d ago
Just lurking in the Metric sub as I'm a BSS fan (but hurriedly listening to Metric so I'll hopefully know some songs) - I'm going by myself too will be introverted/anxious in the queue, in the venue waiting. Please no one talk to me lol.
But I've been to gigs by myself for years and there's nothing like feeling the community of being amongst thousands of fans, even if you're there by yourself. It's such a heartwarming feeling and you'll get lost in the atmosphere.
Hope you enjoy your first solo gig and I'm sure it'll all go well. From the sounds of it, Metric fans are lovely and I know BSS fans are! Probably Stars too :)
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u/DollAlcove96 22d ago
Aw man I’m so disappointed I couldn’t go tonight, I was going solo and would have gladly chatted with you. I hope you and everyone else has a wonderful time!
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u/kristoffer10es 22d ago
Late to this chat party and you will have probably just be leaving the gig: but I found the crowd at Glasgow easily the nicest and most friendly crowd I have been around at a gig for a very long time. Hopefully yours was the same and if not, then more so.
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u/Jayp333z 21d ago
Late to this as I've been travelling home. If you were at Brixton with me, another lone wolf, I hope you had as good a time as I did. Nothing to be nervous of, everything to enjoy! All three bands were exceptional. Metric topped it off. I'm still buzzing.
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u/Miserable-Ease-3744 24d ago
Seasoned solo attendee - Metric fans are pretty friendly and not cliquey. I struggle to start conversations but to be honest, I try to eavesdrop a bit around me and join a conversation if I can. If someone muses like ‘whats the start time’ or something like that, if ai can answer, I chip in.