Sad state of affairs around live music

[Downshift]

Well, if you don't go, you'll simply be the last of your group who made an excuse not to go.

And if you view yourself as a creepy old guy, that's what you will be.

Go. View yourself as that super fan that loves going, always goes, and is down for whatever adventure and new friendships that may await. Hand that pocketful of tickets to a father and son hanging around outside.

 

[Jakedog]

Whitey Morgan and the 78's...always been a popular show. Used to be able to make a call and get 6-10 people willing to go, but even with a month's notice just crickets today.

Good to know Whitey is still touring. I used to play with him quite a bit almost 20 years ago.

 

[1955]

I gave up on trying to get others to share my joy a long time ago. People are interested in themselves for the most part, and maybe their immediate family. Give the tickets away to strangers at the door, they’d enjoy it more. I will say that friends and family took me to see some great acts and it mattered a lot to me. I wouldn’t go to a large gathering anymore, though.

 

[Milspec]

I gave up on trying to get others to share my joy a long time ago. People are interested in themselves for the most part, and maybe their immediate family. Give the tickets away to strangers at the door, they’d enjoy it more. I will say that friends and family took me to see some great acts and it mattered a lot to me. I wouldn’t go to a large gathering anymore, though.

I agree with you. I guess what bothers me the most isn't really the lack of interest in the concert, but lack of interest in getting together. I was excited about this concert because we were going to get the old gang together for a night out, something we haven't done in a few years. Unfortunately, they didn't really hold that same excitement for more than a few days. Can't help but feel like I didn't matter much to them anymore.

For those wondering, I did go, but left early. The band sounded great, but I just got more ticked off as the night passed over the whole situation. I wasn't able to enjoy it as a result. Sorry Whitey, it wasn't you, it was me.

 

[Lucius Paisley]

Time to become a scalper, you'll have a whole new bunch of friends you didn't even know you had.

As long as you sell the tickets at a slightly lower rate. It might hurt the pocket, but you'll have helped out a band you like.

Unless you only care about your own enjoyment.

I'm just trying to help and this is how you repay me. *smh*

 

[Blackmore Fan]

I'm going to see Ian Moore tomorrow night! I saw him 10 years ago or so, and he put on a great show! I'm sorry I haven't seen him more recently, but that guy can play--can't wait for tomorrow night!

 

[loudboy]

It's a general society thing - lack of willingness to actually make a commitment to do something.

My best friend had a conflict a few years ago, and gifted me 4 VIP box tickets, valet parking and food/beverage to see the Willie Nelson and Allison Krauss and Union Station, co-headline tour. Kacey Musgraves was the warmup. He had gotten them as attaboys from his business banker.

I kid you not - it took me 4 phone calls to find someone to go with us. Insanity.

 

[String Tree]

A month ago I purchased a block of tickets to see a great band touring through my area. I pitched the show to my friends and co-workers who were all excited about the show, asked me to get them tickets. As I type this, not one of those folks are interested in going tonight.

They pretty much started making excuses a week ago as to why they were bowing out. The usual dribble, cold temps, it's a Thursday and I have to get up early Friday, the wife made other plans, etc. all telling me to "go and have a good time". Even on the bands social media post, there are 109 responses saying that they were going and a whopping 739 who only claim to be interested.

It places me in a crappy position. I like the band and have seen them every time they came through on tour, but always with a few friends, which is the whole point of going out. This time around, I will just be the creepy old guy by himself with a pocket full of unclaimed tickets. Not sure if that is worth the hour drive and certainly puts a wet blanket on my desire to go out.

I think I need new friends or maybe I don't really have any these days. Sad state of affairs.

Bad deal to be put out like that by your friends.

 

[eddiewagner]

Next week I will go see blackberry smoke with some dudes 60 miles away. We teamed up for a car. I hope its worth the hassle.

 

[johnny k]

I have the same problem really. Usually when my friends ask me something i am like, that is a good idea, let's try this. Then, reflecting on it, i am like what i thought was a good idea when i had 5 beers in me sure look different now that i am sober.

But if i told them i would do it, no matter what, i will do it.

 

[Kandinskyesque]

I will just be the creepy old guy by himself

I hope that's not a general consensus.

I prefer going to events on my own, I always have. There's less chance of someone else's critique spoiling my enthusiasm or concentration. (maybe part of my weird Aspie thing).
At least half of the concerts, plays and gigs I've attended since my first in the 70s have been on my own.
I enjoy, in particular, going to see unsigned bands on my own.

 

[Milspec]

I hope that's not a general consensus.

I prefer going to events on my own, I always have. There's less chance of someone else's critique spoiling my enthusiasm or concentration. (maybe part of my weird Aspie thing).
At least half of the concerts, plays and gigs I've attended since my first in the 70s have been on my own.
I enjoy, in particular, going to see unsigned bands on my own.

When you think back to your 20's when attending events, you likely saw all the old guys going solo as creepy.

I attend plays, movies, etc. solo, but always carry a notebook with me and make notes during the performance. People see me and assume I am some kind of critic instead of a creep.

 

[Kandinskyesque]

When you think back to your 20's when attending events, you likely saw all the old guys going solo as creepy.

No, never.

Strangely, when I got to my 30s and 40s some people would think I was A&R or something of that ilk, especially if I was at an unsigned band gig in Glasgow or London (I always go to see an unsigned band whenever I'm in London).
I've been handed demos from eager managers at gigs despite my denials...maybe it's my eccentric attire that does it.

These days I wear my hidden disabilities lanyard/ID, and most venue staff are trained to recognise it, so tend to be very accommodating. I've no idea what the general public think, I suspect most of them have no idea what my lanyard means. Not that I care much what they're thinking, once the act starts, I'm too absorbed to notice.

 

[Nogoodnamesleft]

A month ago I purchased a block of tickets to see a great band touring through my area. I pitched the show to my friends and co-workers who were all excited about the show, asked me to get them tickets. As I type this, not one of those folks are interested in going tonight.

They pretty much started making excuses a week ago as to why they were bowing out. The usual dribble, cold temps, it's a Thursday and I have to get up early Friday, the wife made other plans, etc. all telling me to "go and have a good time". Even on the bands social media post, there are 109 responses saying that they were going and a whopping 739 who only claim to be interested.

It places me in a crappy position. I like the band and have seen them every time they came through on tour, but always with a few friends, which is the whole point of going out. This time around, I will just be the creepy old guy by himself with a pocket full of unclaimed tickets. Not sure if that is worth the hour drive and certainly puts a wet blanket on my desire to go out.

I think I need new friends or maybe I don't really have any these days. Sad state of affairs.

I was talking about something similar with a friend last Saturday. We both DJ at a small bar and have friends say they’re coming out, likes on social media, whatever, and more often than not the people who say they’re coming out don’t.

Some of these folks complain there’s nothing to do or things going on. I’m kind of at the point where it’s use it or lose it. I’ve seen nights, bars, venues come to an end. As nice as it might be, these things can’t exist for free.

As for the creepy old guy going out alone, I’ve been doing that since I was just the creepy guy going out alone. After a while you either discover other people are in the same boat and they become familiar faces, or you stop caring what others think and go to things because you like them.

 

[oregomike]

A month ago I purchased a block of tickets to see a great band touring through my area. I pitched the show to my friends and co-workers who were all excited about the show, asked me to get them tickets. As I type this, not one of those folks are interested in going tonight.

They pretty much started making excuses a week ago as to why they were bowing out. The usual dribble, cold temps, it's a Thursday and I have to get up early Friday, the wife made other plans, etc. all telling me to "go and have a good time". Even on the bands social media post, there are 109 responses saying that they were going and a whopping 739 who only claim to be interested.

It places me in a crappy position. I like the band and have seen them every time they came through on tour, but always with a few friends, which is the whole point of going out. This time around, I will just be the creepy old guy by himself with a pocket full of unclaimed tickets. Not sure if that is worth the hour drive and certainly puts a wet blanket on my desire to go out.

I think I need new friends or maybe I don't really have any these days. Sad state of affairs.

I've stopped relying on friends to attend with at shows. Honestly, I think I've always preferred going by myself, because I really focus on the music and watching the communication between the musicians, checking out their gear, etc. For me, attending a show alone is always better than missing it, but yeah, makes the drive a bit sucky, and can get old if it's a band you've seen a dozen times.

 

[notmyusualuserid]

I am not sure it is lucky.

As my Uncle used to say: Life is short, but often not short enough.

Bloody hell man. Because your mates blew you out on going to a show?

Get a grip. Then go and visit a cancer ward and thank gods all you have to be miserable about is not hanging with friends at a concert.

 

[Milspec]

Bloody hell man. Because your mates blew you out on going to a show?

Get a grip. Then go and visit a cancer ward and thank gods all you have to be miserable about is not hanging with friends at a concert.

I am a lung cancer survivor, it gives you a different perspective...like finding out your friends aren't really that great of friends.

 

[JPKmusicman]

A buddy of mine has to travel on short notice for work and ends up with tickets he's paid for. He's called me twice to say I can have them and I said no thanks. I'm pretty pathetic, just getting old I guess. So it was a 45 minute drive one way, and I hate driving/parking in big cities...but still, free tickets. I think one of the shows was ZZ Top. Flame suit on.

 

[Milspec]

A buddy of mine has to travel on short notice for work and ends up with tickets he's paid for. He's called me twice to say I can have them and I said no thanks. I'm pretty pathetic, just getting old I guess. So it was a 45 minute drive one way, and I hate driving/parking in big cities...but still, free tickets. I think one of the shows was ZZ Top.

I get that, not a big fan of dealing with big city driving anymore either. When I do make the 40 minute drive, I normally show up pissed off and it can take a little while to relax again.

 

[kookaburra]

Lots of people I know go to shows alone, myself included. Just go and enjoy!

Unless your friends who asked you to get them tickets pay up, I’d look into getting new friends.