By India Madsen, LA&PS Voices Editor
Imagine you’re anxiously waiting in line for a concert. A long line of people who seem to be dressed better than you weaves around the block. You desperately scan the scene, waiting for the friend you planned to attend with to show up. You pull out your cell phone to check your texts for the 3rd time in the past minute. When they finally appear, you inwardly breathe a sigh of relief.
Although waiting in line for a concert alone isn’t nerve-wracking, being in a buzzing social situation without a friend to chat with isn’t much fun. In fact, if you were to take the scenario above a step further and imagine that you had to endure the entire concert alone, you would probably decide that it would be preferable to stay home. Well, I’m here to tell you that you’d be making a big mistake. Recently, I went to a concert (Remi Wolf at the Danforth Music Hall) by myself and it was a surprisingly fun experience. When I first arrived, it was a bit awkward. However, by the end of the night, I happily went home having met new people and enjoyed some great music.
I get that the prospect of going to a concert alone can be daunting, so here's how to do it right:
Talk to new people
Concerts are a great place to meet new people and step outside of the comfort zone facilitated by your usual friend group. You don’t have to strike up a lifelong friendship with anyone, but it can be interesting to talk to people outside of your general spheres of school and work. There will undoubtedly be other people attending the concert solo and, whether alone or in a group, everyone at a concert is generally in a good mood. The best part? You’ve already got something in common with everyone there: your shared taste in music!
Wear something you feel good in
At the concert I went to, I connected with the people in front of me in line by chatting about clothes. Remember that outfits, like rooms, can have “conversation pieces,” and that a concert is the perfect time to pull one out of your closet; so don’t be afraid to take risks when you’re putting together your outfit or doing your makeup.
No matter how adventurous or conservative your fashion choices are, make sure that you feel good in your shoes. A good pair of shoes elevates your confidence because they change the way you walk. As designer Christian Louboutin once said, "Shoes transform your body language and attitude. They lift you physically and emotionally.” And, if you’re in need of an additional confidence boost, you can always fall back on the eternally cool black leather jacket.
Be thoughtful in your choice of artist and venue
I’ve seen multiple recounts of solo concert experiences floating around social media. Many of these posts feature big-name artists and pan across a crowd of thousands of people. While I’m sure that these concert-goers had a great time, I would recommend choosing a smaller venue over an arena or stadium. In a place like the Axis Club, the Velvet Underground, or even the Danforth Music Hall, you’ll be more likely to connect with new people and the event won’t feel overwhelmingly huge.
Secondly, I recommend choosing an artist that you truly appreciate. Going to a concert alone allows you to give the stage your undivided attention, so make the most of this opportunity by going to see an artist whose music you really love.
Ultimately, going to a concert solo is something everyone should try at least once. You’ll meet new people, boost your confidence, and gain a new appreciation for your favourite music. Why not add this experience to your 2023 bucket list?