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=> GENERAL DISCUSSION => Topic started by: Bags on May 11, 2007, 12:48:00 pm
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Read this and was wondering (1) what boardies think of going to shows alone, (2) do you do so often, (3) if so, got a great story or particular band you *must* see alone?
The Glutton: Raw Power!
By Dalton Ross
EW.com
I go to movies by myself. I suppose the first time I did it I was a bit embarrassed, but I got over that pretty quick. In fact, I pretty much only go to movies by myself these days. There are two reasons for this, the first being that my wife and I have extremely different tastes in film. I usually prefer something involving a person chowing down on a live octopus or a posse of killer robots, while her two favorite movie stars of the past decade are Hugh Grant and Mandy Moore (which makes it even more surprising that she was only lukewarm on American Dreamz, a film seemingly cast solely for her). The second reason is that one of us usually has to be home with the kids, since we never seem to get our act together to secure a competent babysitter. So I got to movies by myself.
But this isn't altogether too odd. I sometimes see other people hanging out by themselves at the multiplex. So I decided to take it to the next level the other week by flying solo at a concert. Truth be told, the tickets fell into my lap at the last minute so the wife couldn't attend, and I did try to guilt a friend into going with me, but when she couldn't make it I became my own one-man army for rock! The venue: an ornate old theater on 175th Street. The act: the Stooges.
I guess a little background is in order. The Stooges are my favorite band ever. Unfortunately, the original lineup disbanded before I was born, but I went on to see their lead singer, Iggy Pop, countless times while growing up. I also caught the reunited band on their first tour back together a few years ago. They were awesome then, and I knew they'd be awesome again, so not only would I go see them by myself, but I would in all likelihood go see them by myself while wearing a San Diego Chicken costume if that's what was required. (C'mon, you know you loved The Baseball Bunch, too! Don't even front!) Apparently, I am the only one who felt that way (or, perhaps more likely, the only one dorky enough to not have a friend), as everyone else there was in groups of two, four, or even more. But as my millions of hours of solitary television-viewing should have taught me, company is overrated. Once the songs start, who wants to talk, anyway? And if you do try to converse, the person you're with can't hear you and you start to yell, and then they yell back, and then you both nod pretending you understand what the other person has said, even though in actuality, neither of you have a clue. (This exchange is usually punctuated with a high five of some sort, as a universal way of acknowledging that while you may not know what the other is saying, MAN DOES THIS ROCK F&#$ING ROCK!!!!)
That's my observation on attending concerts by yourself. But this show was particularly enlightening in another way as well: Age really is a state of mind. First, you have Iggy Pop, now 60 years old, running, jumping, punching, and stage-diving for 90 minutes straight. The guy was a nonstop lunatic, even allowing his ass crack and ''Little Iggy'' to sneak out on occasion. Every time I see Pop, I expect him to slow down and he never does. What was far more curious, however, was during the punk-rock anthem ''No Fun,'' when he invited the entire theater-full of fans up on stage with him. About 100-200 people took him up on the offer. Now, this is not the first time I've seen folks flood the stage, but it is the first time where the average age of the person banging into other sweaty bodies was in the 40- to 50-year-old range. There was one cat wearing skinny pants and no shirt with a huge ''I NEED MORE'' tattoo sprawled across his entire back. Again, not all that unusual. But the fact that he was completely gray and probably in his 60s certainly was.
I have to say, seeing this was the most exhilarating part of the show. It was one of the most communal rock experiences I've felt in a long time. The Stooges were always at their best when it felt like they were gonna tear down the place, and in this instance I actually found myself wondering if the stage could possibly collapse. Honestly, if it had, the people up there would have most likely been even more psyched. I'm not yet as old as some of the revelers that evening, but when I am, I hope I still have that fire in my heart, that passion in my belly, and someone to catch me when I no doubt awkwardly crumple to the floor in a pathetic heap. And who knows, maybe when that day comes, I'll even have someone there to share it all with.
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EW Reader Mail:
READER MAIL
I'm not alone. Well, actually, I was alone, and I wrote a whole column about it. But judging by your letters, it turns out I'm not the only one to fly solo at a concert. Others wanted to discuss their brushes with reality-star fame...if you want to call it that.
I've attended a couple of shows on my own (as opposed to alone). Sometimes it's just easier than convincing a non-fan to go. Only once was it kinda awkward. I went to see Wilco at the Fox Theatre in St. Louis (4,000+ seats). I managed to land a seat in the pit (another good reason for going it alone at a show â?? single tickets are generally better seats), and arrived during the first song of the opener, Calexico. For the first 25 minutes it felt like it was just me and the band. We had a little awkward eye contact, but then I realized that I was liking my own private Calexico concert. The other seats filled in around me, and the folks were more than willing to strike up a conversation during the break between bands (many had known [Jeff] Tweedy during the Uncle Tupelo/Cicero's years [Cicero's is a small club near Washington University, where the band played on a regular basis]). All in all it was a hell of a night. â??Ann Marie
Dalton, I would gladly go to a Stooges concert with you. I'm a 19-year-old girl, and last year I went to two Who concerts alone and met some very nice (and absolutely insane) people who'd been Who fans for 20 years before I was born. That's what concerts like that are about â?? you don't need to go with someone just to go with someone, and maybe you even shouldn't, because then you'll be disappointed that they're not having as great a time as you are and (in my case) that they don't know how long the synthesizer entrance is in "Baba O'Riley" or can't air-drum to the solo in "Won't Get Fooled Again." Whenever I see something I am passionately involved with (not obsessed, as my mother would say), I don't want non-passionate people raining on my parade. â??Kristina Caffrey
I've been to two concerts alone, both for my favorite band: Hanson. I've been a Fanson since '97, but didn't see them until '03 and '05. Both shows exceeded my every expectation. Now, I'm eagerly awaiting the release of their new album next month and hoping any subsequent tours bring them to Las Vegas once again. Only one problem...now that I have a boyfriend who actually enjoys their music, I'm not sure I want anyone who knows me to see how I act at these shows. It's one thing to see me dance around our house...does he need to see me in full, concert-going freak-out mode? I guess I'll have to wait and see. â??Dacia Lower
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I used to go to a lot of shows alone in DC, then I joined this board, and rarely was there a roll call where there was no one I knew going to the show.
Since I've moved to SF, I think I went to one show by myself (New Model Army).
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I don't have the attention span to read all that, but going to shows alone is my life....or should I say, was my life. Never bothered me in the slightest and you always end up making conversation with someone at some point, because you obviously had something in common with every single person there.....you like the same band!
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I go to shows solo all the time here in Portland, the people I know here dont go to shows. Mostly it means I go to less shows because I only go to the ones that I really want to go to, its no longer a social event. The only part I hate about it is the waiting between bands and also the looking around and realizing how old I feel.
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I go to probably 95% of my shows solo. Sometimes my wife will come if it's a band she likes, sometimes I'll meet up with someone first. Still, I"m with the author; you can't (and I don't want) to talk while the band is playing, so what's the big deal? Still, I'm not adverse to going with someone. It's just that most of my real life friends aren't as into music as I am anyway.
Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
I don't have the attention span to read all that, but going to shows alone is my life....or should I say, was my life. Never bothered me in the slightest and you always end up making conversation with someone at some point, because you obviously had something in common with every single person there.....you like the same band!
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Those are the only two downsides....both of which are cured by drinking heavily in between sets.
Originally posted by pdx pollard:
The only part I hate about it is the waiting between bands and also the looking around and realizing how old I feel.
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i have never once been to a show myself.
but i suppose if no one could go to the Radiohead show, i would.
and i've only been to one movie myself. but i have always been wanting to start, cause sometimes i feel like when the fiancee comes, i am just spending twice as much money and she doesnt even enjoy the show anyway!!
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I go to shows alone when I'm travelling for work. Otherwise, I'm usually going with someone (except for Tori Amos shows. I'm always going to them by myself)
I go to the movies all the time by myself though, and I love it.
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Back in the days of the old 9:30, I went to a lot more shows alone. My 'music friends' of the very early 90s had moved, and I had to go alone to see most of what I wanted to see. I only went to 9:30 alone, though -- it was comfortable and fun.
Then I took about 5 years off going to shows at all. Said loss of 'show friends.' Met some new people (my current show posse) and came back with a vengeance -- 50-60 shows a year in DC. Don't go to many shows alone now, though. As Smackie mentioned, I usually know a Board member going if 'non-Board' friends aren't.
Though Markie would disagree, I don't talk during songs even with a big group of friends. My friend Marni does!!! (No worries, she moved to NYC).
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Originally posted by nkotb:
Those are the only two downsides....both of which are cured by drinking heavily in between sets.
Aaaaah, one of my problems. I don't drink alone!!!
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Back when I was living in Chile, I went alone to the shows all the time, because my friends were really lazy and they didnt like to see bands live.
When I got here, I used to go with my girlfriend pretty often, but then I started to know the city better, and now I go to shows alone all the time... and you know what?, I like it...
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Originally posted by K8teebug:
I go to the movies all the time by myself though, and I love it.
I stopped going to the cinema shortly after moving to the US....I couldn't take the black people talking through the damn movie. ;)
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i get made fun of for this at work all the time because i refuse to do a lot of things alone - going to a movie is one of them, eating out is another.
i will and have, however, i've only attended two shows alone (bright eyes and tv on the radio)and just started doing it (obviously). i've only been in the dc area about a year and the majority of folks i've come in contact with aren't as into music i am and are fairly indifferent when it comes to shows. but when it comes down to it, i love having someone with me who enjoys the music and band as much as i do, but i would MUCH RATHER go alone then drag someone who doesn't want to be there there, just so as that i'm not alone.
at first the idea sort of freaked me out, but i always find someone to talk to (i'm a little chatterbox) and end up enjoying myself.
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
i've only been in the dc area about a year and the majority of folks i've come in contact with aren't as into music i am and are fairly indifferent when it comes to shows.
just tell em how much you love shaking your ass and surely you'll find someone to go with!!!
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I love going to concerts alone...it's kind of funny, some of the best times I've had at concerts was meeting random people before a show who are excited about seeing that band, then you swap stories and opinions on music. One of my favorite shows I went to alone was when I saw Sonic Youth in Rome in summer of 2002. I didn't think I'd be able to go, but I was able to show up last minute and I managed to get up towards the front. The band just came out and did their thing and the Italians were pretty into it, and I was jumping around, going nuts during stuff like "Silver Rocket", "Kool Thing", and "Eric's Trip". It was easily one of the best nights of my life. I had been under a lot of stress because I was there for a funeral, and I just wanted a night to myself to kind of celebrate life. As nice as it is to share the memory of a great show with someone, it's also nice to have it to yourself. The older I get, the more I cherish my independence and solitude. Not that I don't love running into folks like Lily, Bombay Chutney and Bags when I go to shows of course!
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hahaha. they know how much i love it actually. at work i've even been dubbed the 'cruise ship director' because im the only one who organizes outings. bah, i just need to meet more people outside of work.
Originally posted by le sonick:
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
i've only been in the dc area about a year and the majority of folks i've come in contact with aren't as into music i am and are fairly indifferent when it comes to shows.
just tell em how much you love shaking your ass and surely you'll find someone to go with!!! [/b]
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hahaha. they know how much i love it actually. at work i've even been dubbed the 'cruise ship director' because im the only one who organizes outings. bah, i just need to meet more people outside of work.
Originally posted by le sonick:
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
i've only been in the dc area about a year and the majority of folks i've come in contact with aren't as into music i am and are fairly indifferent when it comes to shows.
just tell em how much you love shaking your ass and surely you'll find someone to go with!!! [/b]
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
hahaha. they know how much i love it actually. at work i've even been dubbed the 'cruise ship director' because im the only one who organizes outings. bah, i just need to meet more people outside of work.
Originally posted by le sonick:
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
i've only been in the dc area about a year and the majority of folks i've come in contact with aren't as into music i am and are fairly indifferent when it comes to shows.
just tell em how much you love shaking your ass and surely you'll find someone to go with!!! [/b]
[/b]
people in baltimore are much more exciting than those in DC! you might have to drive north now and then
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i've been to many shows alone and while it was awkward at first, especially in between sets, i've gotten used to it and in some instances, i actually prefer going alone. like the author, i went to the stooges show alone after my friend backed out at the last minute and i had a hell of a time.
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i do both... i have my girlfriend and a grad school buddy that come to a lot of shows with me, but with my live show obsession it's hard for them to keep up so i inevitably end up going alone (like the second gibbard show last night).
i have a preference for going with someone, but it's not the main reason i'm there. not having someone to not talk to shouldn't affect my enjoyment of the show :) but i'm a horrible trainspotter and like to occasionally joke/comment... which is why i've organized those pre-show meet-ups in the past.
in case anyone's interested, i was thinking of calling a pre-LCD meet-up either at the backbar or DC9.
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i just can't get into baltimore. i can count on one hand the number of times i've been there in the last year and it's been for sporting events every time... except one show at the ram's head.
Originally posted by le sonick:
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
hahaha. they know how much i love it actually. at work i've even been dubbed the 'cruise ship director' because im the only one who organizes outings. bah, i just need to meet more people outside of work.
Originally posted by le sonick:
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
i've only been in the dc area about a year and the majority of folks i've come in contact with aren't as into music i am and are fairly indifferent when it comes to shows.
just tell em how much you love shaking your ass and surely you'll find someone to go with!!! [/b]
[/b]
people in baltimore are much more exciting than those in DC! you might have to drive north now and then [/b]
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I go to most shows solo. Being an old man, most of my old concert buddies are now married with kids. It's hard getting them out of the house at all, much less a couple shows a week.
But really, at any given show there's a good chance I'm gonna run into Bags or bearman, so I'm never alone for long.
Between bands is a good time to become friends with the bartender. That tends to pay off over the long haul.
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I'd say I split 50/50 between solo shows and friend shows. I used to have a great show buddy, and we'd go to 90% of shows together. But, as is typical in DC, he moved. I have made a new show buddy, and he's great about going to see bands he's never heard of and appreciating them. But his family life is a little more restricted than mine, so he has to pass on lots of shows that he otherwise would've gone to.
I must say that I'm rarely disappointed to go solo. I've got the 9:30 and BC routine down to a science, and it can be easier to navigate and position when solo.
And I figure as long as the voices in my head keep telling me to start fires, I'll never drink alone.
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Originally posted by K8teebug:
(except for Tori Amos shows. I'm always going to them by myself)
I wonder if I've met you before!?
I'm totes going to shows by myself. Certain artists that I like, my friends don't. I end up liking the shows way more...and I dance my ass off, regardless...so...yah.
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
i just can't get into baltimore. i can count on one hand the number of times i've been there in the last year and it's been for sporting events every time... except one show at the ram's head.
well, baltimore has its share of fun activities....sonar is cool sometimes, friday nights presents its biggest opportunity to shake your ass. being 29, the crowd is a touch young for me...21-25 is the average age. and a few friends of mine do some electronic/dance party club night thingies on thursdays.
rams head is not a "cool" venue, though sometimes there are decent shows there. ottobar and sonar more truely represent what goes on in baltimore.
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it seems like there is always a show in dc that i would rather go to or just end up going to around the time of the sonar shows. i.e. i went to hot chip instead of spoon. and i'm probably going to go to the rosebuds rather than cursive the next night...
and although i am in that 21-25 ageset you put forth, don't think that means i want some drunk frat guy grinding his denim cock against me at some ratty ass dance party. *cringe*
i'd rather be at a show (shaking my ass, obviously) or at a dive bar playing shuffleboard.
Originally posted by le sonick:
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
i just can't get into baltimore. i can count on one hand the number of times i've been there in the last year and it's been for sporting events every time... except one show at the ram's head.
well, baltimore has its share of fun activities....sonar is cool sometimes, friday nights presents its biggest opportunity to shake your ass. being 29, the crowd is a touch young for me...21-25 is the average age. and a few friends of mine do some electronic/dance party club night thingies on thursdays.
rams head is not a "cool" venue, though sometimes there are decent shows there. ottobar and sonar more truely represent what goes on in baltimore. [/b]
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and although i am in that 21-25 ageset you put forth, don't think that means i want some drunk frat guy grinding his denim cock against me at some ratty ass dance party. *cringe*
i'd rather be at a show (shaking my ass, obviously) or at a dive bar playing shuffleboard.
...I like miss pretentious style...I mean her writing style
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
and although i am in that 21-25 ageset you put forth, don't think that means i want some drunk frat guy grinding his denim cock against me at some ratty ass dance party. *cringe*
So you've met NKOTB?
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I'm shocked to see that I'm not the only one who sometimes goes to shows alone. My friends either don't have the same taste in music as I do or they're too cheap, busy, boring or lazy to go.
I was embarrassed to go alone before so I met 3 concert buddies off CL. Huge mistake. They all should be medicated. Don't try it.
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Doesn't bother me in the slightest to go solo to a show. Some of the bext times I've had have been by myself. In fact, I'm doing it next week. I guess I fall in with most everyone else above in that I've reached a certain age and most of my "show buddies" have other commitments.
Eating out solo is different. I travel a lot for work (often by myself) and on the rare occasions that I eat out alone I have to have a book or newspaper to keep me occupied. Otherwise, it's take-out back to the hotel.
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
and although i am in that 21-25 ageset you put forth, don't think that means i want some drunk frat guy grinding his denim cock against me at some ratty ass dance party. *cringe*
My bad.
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It may be time for a Board gathering, so some of the loners can meet and not be loners anymore! As noted, lots of us on here attend the same shows...
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it's all right. i'm sure i was 'asking for it' in my:
a. tight shirt
b. short skirt
c. tight jeans
d. heels
Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
and although i am in that 21-25 ageset you put forth, don't think that means i want some drunk frat guy grinding his denim cock against me at some ratty ass dance party. *cringe*
My bad. [/b]
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Originally posted by eros:
Eating out solo is different. I travel a lot for work (often by myself) and on the rare ocassions that I eat out alone I have to have a book or newspaper to keep me occupied. Otherwise, it's take-out back to the hotel.
Now this one I don't get.
Many of you know I was a constant traveller for years, mostly international, and eating alone is the best way to find out about where you are. Wait staff (bartenders in particular) are second only to barbers in giving you information about where you are, what to do, and most importantly what to avoid. My favorite thing to do was to get take out and take it to a bar and have a pint, chat with the bartender and wait staff and figure out how to kill the night away. Good times. That usaully parlayed into the bars regulars or other patrons chatting you up about where you're from and what's going on in their city. You learn more about a country from its regular people then you do from anything else.
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NKOTB's 9:30 Club Board Conquests:
1) Kurosawa
2) Joe M.
3) Miss Pretentious
Who's next?
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
and although i am in that 21-25 ageset you put forth, don't think that means i want some drunk frat guy grinding his denim cock against me at some ratty ass dance party. *cringe*
So you've met NKOTB? [/b]
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I go to shows alone, usually b/c I need to travel solo due to my schedule. However, most of my friends don't go to shows. We have roll calls here, but I've rarely bumped into anyone (except Koz, Bags or sonick). I engage in conversation here or there with people, but generally, the crowd is coupled or in a group; or we don't share the same show etiquette. At times there are shows I'd prefer to go alone if a person is chatty and doesn't share show etiquette. :) The larger venues such as MPP, Nissan, Wolftrap, etc. I prefer to go with someone...probably why I don't go often.
Movies are okay solo, especially a weekday matinee. Watch out for creepies, that includes basically anything done solo, they get the wrong idea. :eek:
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Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by eros:
Eating out solo is different. I travel a lot for work (often by myself) and on the rare ocassions that I eat out alone I have to have a book or newspaper to keep me occupied. Otherwise, it's take-out back to the hotel.
Now this one I don't get.
Many of you know I was a constant traveller for years, mostly international, and eating alone is the best way to find out about where you are. Wait staff (bartenders in particular) are second only to barbers in giving you information about where you are, what to do, and most importantly what to avoid. My favorite thing to do was to get take out and take it to a bar and have a pint, chat with the bartender and wait staff and figure out how to kill the night away. Good times. That usaully parlayed into the bars regulars or other patrons chatting you up about where you're from and what's going on in their city. You learn more about a country from its regular people then you do from anything else. [/b]
You could always do the European thing and ask another lone diner "may I share your table?" That's just not done here in doodleville is it? Then again, we're trusted to be able to seat ourselves in restaurants, unlike doodleville.
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Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
You could always do the European thing and ask another lone diner "may I share your table?"
If she was cute enough, I would do that in any country, America included.
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Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by eros:
Eating out solo is different. I travel a lot for work (often by myself) and on the rare ocassions that I eat out alone I have to have a book or newspaper to keep me occupied. Otherwise, it's take-out back to the hotel.
Now this one I don't get.
Many of you know I was a constant traveller for years, mostly international, and eating alone is the best way to find out about where you are. Wait staff (bartenders in particular) are second only to barbers in giving you information about where you are, what to do, and most importantly what to avoid. My favorite thing to do was to get take out and take it to a bar and have a pint, chat with the bartender and wait staff and figure out how to kill the night away. Good times. That usaully parlayed into the bars regulars or other patrons chatting you up about where you're from and what's going on in their city. You learn more about a country from its regular people then you do from anything else. [/b]
You could always do the European thing and ask another lone diner "may I share your table?" That's just not done here in doodleville is it? Then again, we're trusted to be able to seat ourselves in restaurants, unlike doodleville. [/b]
My travel is almost all European and I've never tried that one (or even heard of it). But I'm also not particularaly good and striking up conversations with strangers.
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Originally posted by vansmack:
Originally posted by eros:
Eating out solo is different. I travel a lot for work (often by myself) and on the rare ocassions that I eat out alone I have to have a book or newspaper to keep me occupied. Otherwise, it's take-out back to the hotel.
Now this one I don't get.
Good times. That usaully parlayed into the bars regulars or other patrons chatting you up about where you're from and what's going on in their city. You learn more about a country from its regular people then you do from anything else. [/b]
True, true. Also, once you have a repoire (sp?)they tend to look out for you when if you return (travel or local).
I'd hide out if I was in a sketchy place or nothing to do. A walk-about city obviously is the best for solo travel.
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
and although i am in that 21-25 ageset you put forth, don't think that means i want some drunk frat guy grinding his denim cock against me at some ratty ass dance party. *cringe*
hmmm, i dont really think thats what sonar is like though. its pretty much the "indie scene" kids there on fridays...as there are few shows in baltimore to actually attend.
perhaps i dont notice this cause i am a guy (and obviously not a frat guy) but mostly i see a bunch of tight jean kids with messy hair drinking Sparx.
i, of course, hang in the light booth, cause i'm rad like that.
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i prefer going to shows by myself.
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The fact that this drink is trendy now kills me. A friend and I used to dare each other to chug this stuff at Ocean City years ago. Gross.
Originally posted by le sonick:
...drinking Sparx.
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Originally posted by nkotb:
The fact that this drink is trendy now kills me. A friend and I used to dare each other to chug this stuff at Ocean City years ago. Gross.
Originally posted by le sonick:
...drinking Sparx.
[/b]
they must go through 100 cases of that shit every Friday night at the 'nar. (yes, i call it the 'Nar)
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Originally posted by nkotb:
The fact that this drink is trendy now kills me. A friend and I used to dare each other to chug this stuff at Ocean City years ago. Gross.
Originally posted by le sonick:
...drinking Sparx.
[/b]
What the hell is it? I'm suing! Taking my board name without permission. Fer shame!!
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i used to go to nothing alone, but lately i've been going to stuff by myself, yeah. i miss a good majority of the shows i wanna go to around here because i'm not allowed to go to at least 9:30 or black cat alone, but that does not mean it does not happen.
i don't mind going to shows in DC alone since i always run into someone i know.
but usually, when i end up going to something by myself, it is because i have a friend in the band or whatever who has begged me to come and they're either visiting from out of town or i need to go see them for some reason and i go.
THIS IS A TRAP.
well, it can be really good sometimes, but there is always too much down time. if you end up going and not knowing anyone at the show...i always find myself sitting on some chair or couch or barstool, alone, waiting for them to play, or waiting for them to finish warming up, or waiting for them to finish soundchecking, or whatever. and it doesn't even make a difference if you are sitting backstage or sitting in the back of the club. your friends are almost always busy, and it just gets really tired sometimes.
i end up going to stuff by myself in LA a lot, which is always fine, because everyone in LA is always very friendly. Philly people are also great. and i went to a show by myself in New York which was bad. i was, again, waiting for my friends to play, and they kept coming in and out to hang out but all this other crap was going on. i sat/walked around waiting for people to come talk to me and texting and no one else really did...i got a very evil hipster vibe, which wasn't cool.
so going alone can be pretty lonely and LAME but can also be okay if you make friends or run into them. and, sometimes, a bad idea if you have trust issues.
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Originally posted by nkotb:
A friend and I used to dare each other to chug this stuff at Ocean City years ago.
I've decided that after this, nothing you post today will surprise me. Nothing!
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Originally posted by SPARX:
Originally posted by nkotb:
The fact that this drink is trendy now kills me. A friend and I used to dare each other to chug this stuff at Ocean City years ago. Gross.
Originally posted by le sonick:
...drinking Sparx.
[/b]
What the hell is it? I'm suing! Taking my board name without permission. Fer shame!! [/b]
actually, its Sparks. i dont know why i spelled it with an X. perhaps cause of you!
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it's actually called sparks. and i thought it had been trendy for years? i've been drinking it for maybe 5, 6 years (illegally for most of my college experience).
every now and then i like to start off my night with one. but maybe that's also a reflection of my age. i wouldn't ever actually purchase it at a bar.
Originally posted by nkotb:
The fact that this drink is trendy now kills me. A friend and I used to dare each other to chug this stuff at Ocean City years ago. Gross.
Originally posted by le sonick:
...drinking Sparx.
[/b]
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
i wouldn't ever actually purchase it at a bar.
you havent seen the rest of sonar's beer selection! (and i think they are $3)
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I've usually managed to drag my wife to shows, because I don't like to go alone (and most of our friends aren't into shows like I am). Now she's going to be off the hook for a few years.
Ironically, I like to go to movies alone, but my wife is a bigger movie fan than me, so I never end up at the movies alone anymore.
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i usually go to shows alone these days. i used to take my girlfriend with me to shows, but she didn't enjoy the travelling and late nights that much and her non-enjoyment, i found, limited my enjoyment. i would like to go to shows with people more often, but it seems more practical for it to be this way at this point. if i had someone that would go to shows with me, i would go to a lot more, considering most shows i am interested in i have to drive 2 or more hours each way to get to.
despite that i've gone to shows alone hundreds of miles from where i live. i drove 1000km to go to 3 shows in the toronto area + swung by columbus ohio on the way home for a run of shows by myself once.
i have met a couple people from this board, but i don't make any sort of effort to be overy social. i think i've met.. 2? 3? people.. something like that.
i don't have a problem with going to shows alone at this point, but as i said, if i had someone else to go, i'd be more likely to go to more shows. (of course, if i lived a lot closer to dc or somewhere else that had shows i wanted to go to, i'd probably go to a lot more even if it meant going by myself).
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Originally posted by miss pretentious:
it's actually called sparks. and i thought it had been trendy for years? i've been drinking it for maybe 5, 6 years (illegally for most of my college experience).
every now and then i like to start off my night with one. but maybe that's also a reflection of my age. i wouldn't ever actually purchase it at a bar.
Originally posted by nkotb:
The fact that this drink is trendy now kills me. A friend and I used to dare each other to chug this stuff at Ocean City years ago. Gross.
Originally posted by le sonick:
...drinking Sparx.
[/b]
[/b]
you really ARE pretentious!! ;)
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Originally posted by nkotb:
A friend and I used to dare each other to chug this stuff at Ocean City years ago.
This was right after you finished smoking the resin you scraped out of the bottom of your bowl?
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Now, but I was probably quite a few Old Grandad shots deep at that point.
I'm no econo; the ganj and booze don't work well for me in tandem. Last time I tried, I passed out at 5pm and work up at 1am asleep on my parent's bedroom floor, curled up in the corner. Thankfully they weren't home. Awkward.
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Originally posted by nkotb:
A friend and I used to dare each other to chug this stuff at Ocean City years ago.
This was right after you finished smoking the resin you scraped out of the bottom of your bowl? [/b]
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i am indeed. but like i've said before...at least i'm self-aware.
Originally posted by le sonick:
...drinking Sparx.
[/qb][/QUOTE][/qb][/QUOTE]you really ARE pretentious!! ;) [/QB][/QUOTE]
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Originally posted by nkotb:
NKOTB's 9:30 Club Board Conquests:
1) Kurosawa
2) Joe M.
3) Miss Pretentious
Who's next?
<img src="http://www.freepatriot.com/imagewarehouse/sexy-alf.jpg" alt=" - " /> NKOTB likes ALF (http://www.930.com/cgi-bin/ubb-cgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=015381)!
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What IS Sparks? Like Red Bull.
And I'm assuming 'Nar is Sonar?
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after the numerous beers and a crappy dinner last night, going to the bathroom this morning was definitely a show. it was probably best for all, except me, that i went it alone <badum-tsing!>
sorry about that, having a rough afternoon over here... the opportunity to go wait in friday-afternoon rush-hour traffic can't come soon enough. ugh.
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Originally posted by Bags:
What IS Sparks?
A beverage for the discriminating, sophisticated drinker who wants extra caffeine with his Smirnoff Ice.
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Originally posted by eros:
Originally posted by Bags:
What IS Sparks?
A beverage for the discriminating, sophisticated drinker who wants extra caffeine with his Smirnoff Ice. [/b]
yeah, just to clarify, since i started this Sparks talk...i dont EVER drink it. i am canadian...we drink beer and whiskey...nothing else.
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i used to go to shows at the 9:30 club alone quite a bit, but after awhile it got boring. i met kurosawa and since then when im in dc, most shows i see with her. btw- relaxer thought of you last night when i heard idlewild. :)
i used to try and find people to see shows with in nyc, but my average went from a show a week to sometimes 3-5. most people arent into stuff that much. ive met a lot of interesting people at shows, and some ive become good friends with. my fav shows are aussie and british bands at the small clubs. it seems everyone is so friendly and perhaps also so drunk.
and even in nyc, ive still managed to hang out with some boardies at shows here and there. after seeing the kooks with a bunch of drunk englishmen who wanted to pound beers all night, i realized quickly id rather go to a show alone. i ditched them and jumped around in the middle of a frenzied crowd and had a great time.
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Originally posted by le sonick:
yeah, just to clarify, since i started this Sparks talk...i dont EVER drink it. i am canadian...we drink beer and whiskey...nothing else.
since when have Labatt Ice (http://www.labatt.com/english/lbc_brands/fam/fb_ice.html) or Molson Ice (http://www.molson.com/brands/molsoncanada/molsoncanice.php) been considered "beers"?
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Originally posted by sweetcell:
since when have Labatt Ice (http://www.labatt.com/english/lbc_brands/fam/fb_ice.html) or Molson Ice (http://www.molson.com/brands/molsoncanada/molsoncanice.php) been considered "beers"?
Since 1763
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Originally posted by sweetcell:
Originally posted by le sonick:
yeah, just to clarify, since i started this Sparks talk...i dont EVER drink it. i am canadian...we drink beer and whiskey...nothing else.
since when have Labatt Ice (http://www.labatt.com/english/lbc_brands/fam/fb_ice.html) or Molson Ice (http://www.molson.com/brands/molsoncanada/molsoncanice.php) been considered "beers"? [/b]
+
dude, you're SOOO not Canadian!
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I go to most shows solo. ggw-ette isn't so keen on club shows anymore (unless they involve Dave Grohl), and my friends' tastes and my own only overlap about 15% of the time. That being said, I run into people I know at shows often. If I want to hang out with my friends, I'll go play poker or go out to dinner. If I'm going to a show, I'm going for the music.
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This thread is making me miss LuLu, Markie and PDX Pollard.... For a couple years there, I saw them at most shows I went to.
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Am I hearing/seeing a pattern that when it's a couple who have unequal love for showgoing, it's almost always the male who is fonder of showgoing?
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Am I hearing/seeing a pattern that when it's a couple who have unequal love for showgoing, it's almost always the male who is fonder of showgoing?
Men are insecure. I doubt most men could handle a relationship with a woman who frequently went to nightclubs without them.
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I was thinking the same thing. Historically, that's been the case for me, both with my musically-inclined friends' significant others and mine as well.
For my wife, the crowds are a big deterrent, as is the fact that her average height keep her from seeing at times. Overall, though, I just don't think it's her thing.
She comes to shows now and again, either for bands she likes (the Shins & Ted Leo) or for bands I drag her to (Animal Collective & the Unicorns). She generally has a good time when she goes, but I think she's just not into it.
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Am I hearing/seeing a pattern that when it's a couple who have unequal love for showgoing, it's almost always the male who is fonder of showgoing?
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I prefer going to shows alone. I find that the more people I include in my respective concert experience, the more potential/occurence there is for them to blow my experience/buzz. I like the freedom of being able to move when I wanna move. Especially at 9:30, sometimes I wanna post by the bar, sometimes I wanna get up close. Accounting for other personalities and agendas in the midst of a priceless music experience is nothing short of a bitch.
Also my friends factor into me going to shows alone by myself. Money, enthusiasm, bullshit backouts/excuses, etc. Case en point, after a drunken night downtown with some lady friends a few months back, my man was like "Fam, we should go see The Police." Say no more. I'm in. So I pulled off the (damn near) impossible. I get 8th row DEAD CENTER floor seats. For FACE value, on top of that. This dude backs out. Now, I ain't mad because at this space & time I ain't hurting for cash. But I was looking forward to it cause he fucks with The Police like I do. But oh well. I'm kinda happy now, cause chances are I'm gonna be so nice at the show I wouldn't notice if he WAS there. :D
One is truly the loneliest number . . . ;)
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Men are insecure. I doubt most men could handle a relationship with a woman who frequently went to nightclubs without them.
Especially when O'Mankie's in one of his fondling moods.
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Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Am I hearing/seeing a pattern that when it's a couple who have unequal love for showgoing, it's almost always the male who is fonder of showgoing?
Men are insecure. I doubt most men could handle a relationship with a woman who frequently went to nightclubs without them. [/b]
that must be why im still single. and to whomever posted about his short girlfriend. im 5'1" and just try to either go to smaller clubs (if lucky) and if not get there damn early so i can see. if not - it ends up like last night in which case i could see about half the time, had two zillion men and women groping me, and one put his arm around me like i was his girlfriend. i was pretty horrified and i wasnt *that* drunk.
i will say most guys dont believe me when i tell them i go to that many shows. they only realize it when i cant go out on a date, because every single night i have a show to go to. somehow they always have a fit, at which point i wont even bother dating them.
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Be willing to compromise and cut down on the number of shows you go to, and you'll have better luck finding a mate. Or find a concert fool like yourself!
Originally posted by xneverwherex:
Originally posted by ggwâ?¢:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Am I hearing/seeing a pattern that when it's a couple who have unequal love for showgoing, it's almost always the male who is fonder of showgoing?
Men are insecure. I doubt most men could handle a relationship with a woman who frequently went to nightclubs without them. [/b]
that must be why im still single. and to whomever posted about his short girlfriend. im 5'1" and just try to either go to smaller clubs (if lucky) and if not get there damn early so i can see. if not - it ends up like last night in which case i could see about half the time, had two zillion men and women groping me, and one put his arm around me like i was his girlfriend. i was pretty horrified and i wasnt *that* drunk.
i will say most guys dont believe me when i tell them i go to that many shows. they only realize it when i cant go out on a date, because every single night i have a show to go to. somehow they always have a fit, at which point i wont even bother dating them. [/b]
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Originally posted by TheDirector217:
I prefer going to shows alone. I find that the more people I include in my respective concert experience, the more potential/occurence there is for them to blow my experience/buzz. I like the freedom of being able to move when I wanna move. Especially at 9:30, sometimes I wanna post by the bar, sometimes I wanna get up close. Accounting for other personalities and agendas in the midst of a priceless music experience is nothing short of a bitch.
Also my friends factor into me going to shows alone by myself. Money, enthusiasm, bullshit backouts/excuses, etc. Case en point, after a drunken night downtown with some lady friends a few months back, my man was like "Fam, we should go see The Police." Say no more. I'm in. So I pulled off the (damn near) impossible. I get 8th row DEAD CENTER floor seats. For FACE value, on top of that. This dude backs out. Now, I ain't mad because at this space & time I ain't hurting for cash. But I was looking forward to it cause he fucks with The Police like I do. But oh well. I'm kinda happy now, cause chances are I'm gonna be so nice at the show I wouldn't notice if he WAS there. :D
One is truly the loneliest number . . . ;)
Wait...so you have an extra?
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Originally posted by ixkpd-bk:
Wait...so you have an extra [Police ticket]?
I was going to ask the same thing! Which show?!?!?! ;)
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sorry - no go on the compromising. these guys know up front what theyre getting. ive compromised for so many people, and ended up missing so many bands i could have seen.
anyway - most my friends are guys and we all go to shows together these days. ill find the right person at the right time or something like that.
btw - i could care less if the person goes to the shows with me, they just need to understand this is what im doing, and have enough common sense to know im not shagging guys at the shows :D
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Be willing to compromise and cut down on the number of shows you go to, and you'll have better luck finding a mate. Or find a concert fool like yourself!
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Originally posted by xneverwherex:
btw - i could care less if the person goes to the shows with me,
I couldn't care less.
KIDDING, just going with my school marm shit for the day!! ;) Happy weekend, xnx
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Originally posted by Bags:
Originally posted by xneverwherex:
btw - i could care less if the person goes to the shows with me,
I couldn't care less.
KIDDING, just going with my school marm shit for the day!! :)
thanks bags! my mom would be glad you noticed :)
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I go to shows along when its someone that I HAVE to see... Like David Bazan, Twilight Singers etc...
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i'm ALWAYS the fonder of showgoing in my relationships and boys that date me know if they dont go i'll either go alone or go with one of my guy friends.
and sucks to be short... i'm 5'9"ish in flats. ha.
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Am I hearing/seeing a pattern that when it's a couple who have unequal love for showgoing, it's almost always the male who is fonder of showgoing?
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Way to insecure to go alone. For any band. The shame.
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She's not short, just average height. But in a packed club, that doesn't make for very good slight lines when we get close to the stage, which is where I generally try to go.
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
and sucks to be short... i'm 5'9"ish in flats. ha.
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I couldn't believe it when I saw this thread. I saw one just like this at another forum a couple years ago. The guy who started that one said he'd never gone to a show alone, and acted like it was a completely unheard-of concept. I'm glad to see so many people here who do. I go to shows alone all the time. Looking over my show list, it looks like I've been alone about half the time over the years (70 solo shows, by my count). But that's a bit skewed by my changing situation over the past few years.
While I was in the Navy, I was always going to shows alone. The vast majority of shows I saw in Seattle I saw by myself. I had a really good friend out there (who lives in New York now) who went with me from time to time, but I was flying solo probably about 80% of the time. And for the year I lived down in Virginia, I was alone for almost all of my shows. That inludes every show I saw at The NorVa or Relative Theory Records, every show at Jaxx, and a ton of DC shows. As a matter of fact, I did a lot of things alone while I was in the Navy. I went solo in almost every port I ever visited, even though we were never supposed to (the "buddy system", yeah, to hell with that).
Since I left the Navy and came home, I've had a show buddy, though. It's my mother. She took me to shows while I was growing up, and thus she's the main reason I'm such a concert junkie. We still went to shows together while I was in the Navy whenever I'd come home on leave, and we really started up again when I moved to Virginia, but now that I'm home we go together all the time. I suppose it might seem odd to some of you that a guy in his mid-twenties goes to shows with his 50-something mother, but you have to understand our relationship. We're like best friends. And unlike many other people her age, she's actually interested in today's music. In fact, she says that she's more interested in music now than she's ever been in her life, that there are more bands making great music out there than there have ever been before. And she still loves going to shows. So if you ever see a short, gray-haired woman in her late fifties (probably wearing some hip band shirt you'd expect to see on a teenager) with a shaggy-headed kid in his mid-twenties, it's most likely us. Sweetcell's met us, ask him. :)
And since I've just moved back home after six years in the Navy, I hardly know anyone at all around here anymore. I really have no one else to go with, and it's nice to have company after years of going to shows by myself. I still do go to shows alone, though. My mother and I listen to a lot of the same stuff, but I like certain bands (and whole genres, actually) that she doesn't. Plus, it's just nice to go by myself sometimes. I got used to it over the years. And as you can imagine, as much as I love my mother, there are times I'd rather see a show without her.
I'm ridiculously shy and self-concious, though, so I almost never really meet or talk to anyone when I'm by myself. I always hope to, to be honest, but just never do. If someone strikes up a conversation with me, I'll be more than happy to talk up a storm, but I never initiate anything. That's probably why I'm alone so much of the time to begin with, and not just at shows.
On the subject of movies, I go alone to almost every one I see.
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Pollard, are you going to one of the Spoon shows at the Doug Fir in a couple of weeks? I'll be at the Friday show. It will be easy to locate me...I'm the black girl. :D
I can count on one hand the number of times I've attended a show with someone else in the past year.
So many great things have happened to me by going to a show alone. I've met some awesome fans and sometimes the performers. (I think it also helps that I'm the Random Citizen and don't stick out much.)
There are definitely drawbacks, including limiting how much you drink so you don't lose your spot for a potty run. Though my job responsibilities may prevent me from staying out super-late (e.g. missing that !!! show because they didn't go on until 12:30 AM), I don't see myself missing out because I'm going solo.
On dining solo...well, just be careful that you don't get hit up by a couple who wants to take you to a strip club and then ask you to join them for a threesome. Er, I heard that happens to some people... ;) :eek:
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I don't mind going alone if I'm really in the mood or it's a band I really want to see. Good chance I'll run into someone I know.
I tend to recruit some friends for shows. They usually agree because I keep up with the schedules more than they do and they've come to trust my recommendations. It doesn't always work out, though, and I'd rather go alone than bring people that aren't very into the music. Like others said, it's a drag if you've got to manage your friends' fun level.
Except for chatting between sets, I think that shows are a very individual experience. It's you and the band.
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Originally posted by Reod Dai:
Since I left the Navy and came home, I've had a show buddy, though. It's my mother (...) Sweetcell's met us, ask him. :)
indeed, reod's mom is way cool. upon first read, one might wonder "what kind of momma's boy is this?" but if my mom was that cool, i'd be taking her to shows all the time too. my mom is damn cool too, just not in the concert/club way.
oh crap, it's mother's day tomorrow innit?!?
Originally posted by Random Citizen PDX:
There are definitely drawbacks, including limiting how much you drink so you don't lose your spot for a potty run.
very true, forgot about that one. then again, flying solo stopped me from drinking too much at the second gibbard show the other night, and given that it was a school-night that was a good thing.
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For the better part of my adult-concert going life (we'll say post-college), I too have attended shows by myself. Most of the people that I have a chance to get to know don't share my cultural tastes, and if they have, they've had other obstacles to attending shows (kids, $$, etc) For a little bit my wife made an attempt to come to a few shows with me, but it was never something she was into, so that experiment ended.
I've always been fine going to shows by myself as it's always been less of a social interaction thing for me and more about the experience with the music. I do fine it interesting to watch and listen before the show or between sets as people talk and drink. Fortunately, I've been able to amuse myself via people-watching.
At this point in life, I am comfortable with the logistics of going by myself. While it might seem selfish, it is nice not to have to concern yourself with someone else's agenda at a show. I can arrive and leave when I choose and stand where I like.
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I almost always go to shows alone. Once in a blue moon I'll go with someone, but it's not too often and I usually feel responsible that they have a good time since I'm usually the instigator. Besides, I don't view going to concerts as a social event. Some of my friends do and don't really understand why I would go by myself. My response is usually "Why do you watch Lost by yourself?" Also, as previously posted, a single ticket will get you a better seat in the bigger non-GA shows. (Case in point, I just bought an Aretha Franklin ticket. There are only singles available unless you want the lawn. YAY!)
I really don't mind the wait between sets. It's a good time for me to catch up on my reading so I actually welcome it. Also, at the 9:30 club, usually the music that's played in between makes the down-time fly by (so keep posting your setlists djs!)
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I never went to a show alone, except for one horrible HFS festival, until I had a child. Then, if other friends couldn't or didn't want to go, it just became easier to leave my husband at home, especially because he's not as into going to shows as I am. I certainly would rather go with a friend, but I would miss too many shows if I didn't go alone. The 9:30 club and Black Cat are easy and comfortable. I went to one Merriweather show alone, and that was ok. I think I'd be more uncomfortable at a place like the Verizon Center.
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Originally posted by eip:
The 9:30 club and Black Cat are easy and comfortable. I went to one Merriweather show alone, and that was ok. I think I'd be more uncomfortable at a place like the Verizon Center.
I go to Birchmere for the food.
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Originally posted by Random Citizen PDX:
Pollard, are you going to one of the Spoon shows at the Doug Fir in a couple of weeks? I'll be at the Friday show. It will be easy to locate me...I'm the black girl. :D
I didnt even realize they were playing. Probably not, I think my next show is The High Strung at Dantes. But if I end up going I will keep an eye out for you.
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Oh c'mon Pollard, don't pass up this chance at a love connection!
Originally posted by pdx pollard:
Originally posted by Random Citizen PDX:
Pollard, are you going to one of the Spoon shows at the Doug Fir in a couple of weeks? I'll be at the Friday show. It will be easy to locate me...I'm the black girl. :D
I didnt even realize they were playing. Probably not, I think my next show is The High Strung at Dantes. But if I end up going I will keep an eye out for you. [/b]
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pics or it didn't happen.
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
it's all right. i'm sure i was 'asking for it' in my:
a. tight shirt
b. short skirt
c. tight jeans
d. heels
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This is why you are regularly pepper-sprayed.
Originally posted by econo:
pics or it didn't happen.
Originally posted by miss pretentious:
it's all right. i'm sure i was 'asking for it' in my:
a. tight shirt
b. short skirt
c. tight jeans
d. heels
[/b]
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i usually go to shows alone. it feels a bit awkward when i first arrive, mostly because i'm usually 1 of 5 black people there. the awkwardness goes away once the music starts though.
i found out a few years ago, it's better to go alone than with someone that's not really into the band.
so far this year, i've been to 6 shows. sometimes i want someone there to share it with, but until i meet people that like shows as much as i do, i'll continue to go it alone.
festivals are the hardest to go to alone...until the music starts... :D
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Which is why the follow up line is:
pepper spray or it didn't happen.
Originally posted by nkotb:
This is why you are regularly pepper-sprayed.
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I usually go alone because it is such a long drive..and I don't feel like being in a car with someone for that trip. ha ha
Unless it is the scissor sisters then all my friends want to go.
:)
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Originally posted by you be betty:
because everyone in LA is always very friendly.
i find that statement highly dubious.
i can probably count on one hand the number of shows i've been to by myself. i just prefer going with more people. . .makes my drinking seem less sad.
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Back when I was in college, it was easy to grab a group of people and see a show that you all liked. Now that I'm in my mid-20's and all my friends are scattering to the four corners, it becomes a pain to track people down for shows. Add on top of that differing musical tastes and I don't hesitate to go solo to a show at all.
Originally posted by 6949:
I was embarrassed to go alone before so I met 3 concert buddies off CL. Huge mistake. They all should be medicated. Don't try it.
I've tried CL with mixed results. One concert buddy became a very good friend, then she moved back home to Europe! Another one moved to New York!
The others have been good, but I don't know, sometimes you talk about seeing a another show soon but then get caught up in other things and neither one of us get back to each other.
I'll also head to movies myself sometimes as well. Not as often as shows though, but if there's a movie I want to see and I've got a free afternoon off work, I'm there.
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eeeep, i meant to say that everyone who i have met thus far at shows in LA has been very friendly.
Originally posted by Venerable Bede:
Originally posted by you be betty:
because everyone in LA is always very friendly.
i find that statement highly dubious.
i can probably count on one hand the number of shows i've been to by myself. i just prefer going with more people. . .makes my drinking seem less sad. [/b]
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Speaking of festivals alone, I went to Glasto '99 by myself and it was one of the best music experiences I have ever had. I went the next year with the girlfriend, and lets just say it was not as much fun.
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Originally posted by pdx pollard:
I didnt even realize they were playing. Probably not, I think my next show is The High Strung at Dantes. But if I end up going I will keep an eye out for you.
The shows were just announced last week. I happened to be on the Doug Fir site to see what shows were coming up and saw the note. I guess since Britt lives here now, this stuff will happen from time to time.
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My God. You're all "bowling alone."
This is an obvious question. Since there's been about twenty or thirty people responding on this thread that they go to shows alone, why don't you meet up somewhere in the club beforehand and just STAND near someone you sort of know? Exchange names and shake hands or something.
Just a suggestion.
Brian
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Originally posted by Brian_Walalce:
This is an obvious question. Since there's been about twenty or thirty people responding on this thread that they go to shows alone, why don't you meet up somewhere in the club beforehand and just STAND near someone you sort of know? Exchange names and shake hands or something.
Just a suggestion.
Brian
Of the people who said they go to shows alone, the majority don't mind doing so for a number of reasons. Some may have had an initial fear, but once you attend a few shows solo, that goes away rather quickly. At least, that's been my experience over the past several years.
Earlier this month, I attended a Joseph Arthur show. I ended up chatting with a couple standing next to me who drove down from Seattle for the show.
Could I have gone on some message board and "arranged" that? Sure, but I prefer the more organic approach to getting to know people. *shrugs*
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is it really going alone to a show if you know you're gonna see people there?
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Originally posted by Brian_Walalce:
My God. You're all "bowling alone."
This is an obvious question. Since there's been about twenty or thirty people responding on this thread that they go to shows alone, why don't you meet up somewhere in the club beforehand and just STAND near someone you sort of know? Exchange names and shake hands or something.
Just a suggestion.
Brian
I'm certainly not against meeting up with folks, but I'm not going to base my show attendance on whether or not I can find someone I can stand next to in advance.
Some people refuse to go out alone. Some people don't really care. If my choices are "go alone" or "miss the band", I'll usually go see the band.
The rollcall threads are great for arranging to meetup with boardies.
Besides - All you really need to do is meet Bags. She knows everyone and always has about 5 people with her. :D
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Originally posted by Reod Dai:
I couldn't believe it when I saw this thread. I saw one just like this at another forum a couple years ago. The guy who started that one said he'd never gone to a show alone, and acted like it was a completely unheard-of concept. I'm glad to see so many people here who do. I go to shows alone all the time. Looking over my show list, it looks like I've been alone about half the time over the years (70 solo shows, by my count). But that's a bit skewed by my changing situation over the past few years.
While I was in the Navy, I was always going to shows alone. The vast majority of shows I saw in Seattle I saw by myself. I had a really good friend out there (who lives in New York now) who went with me from time to time, but I was flying solo probably about 80% of the time. And for the year I lived down in Virginia, I was alone for almost all of my shows. That inludes every show I saw at The NorVa or Relative Theory Records, every show at Jaxx, and a ton of DC shows. As a matter of fact, I did a lot of things alone while I was in the Navy. I went solo in almost every port I ever visited, even though we were never supposed to (the "buddy system", yeah, to hell with that).
Since I left the Navy and came home, I've had a show buddy, though. It's my mother. She took me to shows while I was growing up, and thus she's the main reason I'm such a concert junkie. We still went to shows together while I was in the Navy whenever I'd come home on leave, and we really started up again when I moved to Virginia, but now that I'm home we go together all the time. I suppose it might seem odd to some of you that a guy in his mid-twenties goes to shows with his 50-something mother, but you have to understand our relationship. We're like best friends. And unlike many other people her age, she's actually interested in today's music. In fact, she says that she's more interested in music now than she's ever been in her life, that there are more bands making great music out there than there have ever been before. And she still loves going to shows. So if you ever see a short, gray-haired woman in her late fifties (probably wearing some hip band shirt you'd expect to see on a teenager) with a shaggy-headed kid in his mid-twenties, it's most likely us. Sweetcell's met us, ask him. :)
And since I've just moved back home after six years in the Navy, I hardly know anyone at all around here anymore. I really have no one else to go with, and it's nice to have company after years of going to shows by myself. I still do go to shows alone, though. My mother and I listen to a lot of the same stuff, but I like certain bands (and whole genres, actually) that she doesn't. Plus, it's just nice to go by myself sometimes. I got used to it over the years. And as you can imagine, as much as I love my mother, there are times I'd rather see a show without her.
I'm ridiculously shy and self-concious, though, so I almost never really meet or talk to anyone when I'm by myself. I always hope to, to be honest, but just never do. If someone strikes up a conversation with me, I'll be more than happy to talk up a storm, but I never initiate anything. That's probably why I'm alone so much of the time to begin with, and not just at shows.
On the subject of movies, I go alone to almost every one I see.
I'm 46 and I have a daughter who's 18 and we talk about music all the time. If I didn't live so far away from her we'd be going to shows together too so I don't think it's weird you go to shows with your mother. I've taken my daughter to a few shows at the 930 already but I know we'd go more often if I lived in DC still....Funny story, my taste in music has influenced her's a little bit so she's a huge Smiths fan. Last christmas I was living in Ireland so we mailed christmas gifts to each other. We bought each other the same Smiths t-shirt as a christmas gift!! (I thought it was funny anyway)
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Originally posted by le sonick:
is it really going alone to a show if you know you're gonna see people there?
NO!
If you go on a date to the movies and you meet your date at the movie theatre....did you actually go on a date?
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Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
Originally posted by le sonick:
is it really going alone to a show if you know you're gonna see people there?
NO!
If you go on a date to the movies and you meet your date at the movie theatre....did you actually go on a date? [/b]
but did you go to the movie "alone"?
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i'm 23 and my mother is 46 and we go to shows together as often as possible (which is about never since we live 7 hours apart).
but anyway, we talk about music all the time growing up she influenced my musical tastes a lot. it's cute now because it's the other way around... i got a call from her a couple weeks ago telling me she saw a video for the cold war kids and had remembered me talking about going to see them.
Originally posted by Roadbike Mankie:
I'm 46 and I have a daughter who's 18 and we talk about music all the time. If I didn't live so far away from her we'd be going to shows together too so I don't think it's weird you go to shows with your mother. I've taken my daughter to a few shows at the 930 already but I know we'd go more often if I lived in DC still....Funny story, my taste in music has influenced her's a little bit so she's a huge Smiths fan. Last christmas I was living in Ireland so we mailed christmas gifts to each other. We bought each other the same Smiths t-shirt as a christmas gift!! (I thought it was funny anyway) [/b]
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I visited my mom in April and took her to see a guitar duo that did classical and Brazilian music. She said she was ready to go after half an hour, complaining that the band and the music weren't lively enough.
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Originally posted by Brian_Walalce:
My God. You're all "bowling alone."
This is an obvious question. Since there's been about twenty or thirty people responding on this thread that they go to shows alone, why don't you meet up somewhere in the club beforehand and just STAND near someone you sort of know? Exchange names and shake hands or something.
Just a suggestion.
Brian
brian, i take it you're very selective in your reading of this board :) i've suggested several pre-show meet-ups, and have met several boardees who i am happy to hang with at a show... should i be in the mood to hang.
attendance at the meet-ups have generally been low, indicating that (a) people are not interested in meeting up, (b) the meet-ups aren't at the right time/the right show, or (c) i've scared them off. probably a nexus of all three :) if anyone does want to put a face to the sweetcell name, do drop me a PM. i'm always happy to make a new acquaintance.
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Some people don't want others to find out how dorky they are in person compared to the way they portray themselves here. ;)
Originally posted by Brian_Walalce:
My God. You're all "bowling alone."
This is an obvious question. Since there's been about twenty or thirty people responding on this thread that they go to shows alone, why don't you meet up somewhere in the club beforehand and just STAND near someone you sort of know? Exchange names and shake hands or something.
Just a suggestion.
Brian
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Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Some people don't want others to find out how dorky they are in person compared to the way they portray themselves here. :)
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Originally posted by sweetcell:
Originally posted by Charlie Nakatestes,Japanese Golfer:
Some people don't want others to find out how dorky they are in person compared to the way they portray themselves here. :)
soooo... are you going to brmc? ;)
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Originally posted by xneverwherex:
soooo... are you going to brmc? ;)
not sure if you're talking about webster in NYC or 930 in DC, but currently the answer is "neither". i can't make the nyc show (what with it being a thursday, and i'm not THAT much of a fan), but if you're in town for the 930 then i'd definitely want to join you. dunno what your plans are before the show, but you'd be most welcome to drop by my place for pre-partying. or dinner somewhere ("somewhere" being BEN'S CHILI BOWL, of course).
EDIT: sh*t, just realizes that BRMC is the same night as the pipettes at the black cat (june 2), a show my GF expressed interest in. dang. maybe there will be a Blowoff that night, and BRMC will be an early show so we can do both?!? and before you ask: no, julian and nkotb, i do NOT trust you enough to let you accompany my sweetie to the pipettes while i go to the 930 ;)
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Originally posted by sweetcell:
Originally posted by xneverwherex:
soooo... are you going to brmc? ;)
not sure if you're talking about webster in NYC or 930 in DC, but currently the answer is "neither". i can't make the nyc show (what with it being a thursday, and i'm not THAT much of a fan), but if you're in town for the 930 then i'd definitely want to join you. dunno what your plans are before the show, but you'd be most welcome to drop by my place for pre-partying. or dinner somewhere ("somewhere" being BEN'S CHILI BOWL, of course).
EDIT: sh*t, just realizes that BRMC is the same night as the pipettes at the black cat (june 2), a show my GF expressed interest in. dang. maybe there will be a Blowoff that night, and BRMC will be an early show so we can do both?!? and before you ask: no, julian and nkotb, i do NOT trust you enough to let you accompany my sweetie to the pipettes while i go to the 930 ;) [/b]
well guess it wasnt obvious, but i meant the DC show. I figured not many people would be going to the NYC show. The Pipettes put on a good show, but I'd personally go with BRMC.
I dont know yet what my plans are before/after the show, just that I will be going to the show in DC. Meeting up with Kurosawa at some point at the show or before the show or after or all of the above. But if you'll be around, surely would love to meet.
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I go to shows alone sometimes....i'm pretty much the only one in my local 'friends circle' that digs industrial music, so i usually go it alone to ministry, skinny puppy, etc. i'm sure i'll be going it alone to the sp show at sonar in june, heh.
but i've been to so many shows solo, that it doesn't phase me at all.
i go to movies alone too.
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Given how many people have admitted they go to shows alone, maybe there's been one where the entire crowd consisted of people not there with anyone. What would be the most likely show?
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sweetcell, you go to Blowoff and find a daddy bear there, I'd go with your sweetie to the Pipettes. You selfish bitch.
Originally posted by sweetcell:
[EDIT: sh*t, just realizes that BRMC is the same night as the pipettes at the black cat (june 2), a show my GF expressed interest in. dang. maybe there will be a Blowoff that night, and BRMC will be an early show so we can do both?!? and before you ask: no, julian and nkotb, i do NOT trust you enough to let you accompany my sweetie to the pipettes while i go to the 930 ;) [/QB]
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I drink alone,I sleep alone and I most certainly ROCK alone......that's just how I roll... :D
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i am actually planning on attending the arctic monkeys show tomorrow because none of my friends are that into them. however, i am a bit apprehensive because, though i have traveled to 9:30 club by car numerous times, i have never done it alone, and i know the surrounding area probably isn't the best place for a 142 pound caucasian male to drive through by himself. any kind of words to settle my anxiety will be greatly appreciated!
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Originally posted by deathcabforconan:
any kind of words to settle my anxiety will be greatly appreciated!
grow a pair
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Originally posted by deathcabforconan:
i am actually planning on attending the arctic monkeys show tomorrow because none of my friends are that into them. however, i am a bit apprehensive because, though i have traveled to 9:30 club by car numerous times, i have never done it alone, and i know the surrounding area probably isn't the best place for a 142 pound caucasian male to drive through by himself. any kind of words to settle my anxiety will be greatly appreciated!
First, I love your name.
Second, you'll be fine. Just get their while it's still light. I usually park on 8th street where there's metered parking (but it's free after 6:30), and since alot of people park there, you don't walk back to your car "alone". Or park in the club's lot for $10.
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what julian said - if you're really worried, pay $10 for the attended parking.
otherwise, if you get there early (say, a half hour before the opener) you should be able to find street parking within a block or two of the club under a street light. if you walk out with the crowds at the end of the show, there should be enough people also going to their cars that you'll have coverage.
personally, i've never felt nervous walking out of the club (i live a 15-20 minute walk away, and almost always walk). my biggest fear - nay, annoyance - are the occasional beggers that ask for money (again, zero actual agression just persistant requests). i think the 'hood gets an unfair rap. yes, there was that girl-gang attack a few weeks/months back... that's one incident out of how many shows? every time i've driven, my car has never been vandalized, just don't leave valuables in plain site. you'll be fine.