The best way not to overspend on concerts is to not buy alcohol or merch. These are the budget killers.
Unfortunately I love drinking at shows. Probably shows are an excuse I have used for decades - subconsciously- to drink. Like many people I prefer to see it as “partying”.
These days I go to far fewer shows a year than I used to….15 absolutely tops… and I almost never buy merch unless am trying to help out a band I love like Luna or GBV.
Trying to think what shows I have seen this year….GBV, Hives, Black Crowes, Belle and Sebastian, Ride/Charlatans, Feelies…I guess I bought merch…Charlatans and Ride shirts, GBV lp, Feelies lp. I have backed out of a few shows like Jane’s/L and R. It was just insane to think I could drive to Portsmouth
Oh I saw Neville Street Groove and Cake too. And my friends band OBL
I got my eye on Lemonheads, YLT, Massive Attack, Robyn Hitchcock and Nick Lowe…. I have a ticket for Air and Suki.
That would be 16 shows which like I said tends to be my max these days. I wish I could do more.
Marcos Valle at Howard is also appealing