Saturday, October 11, 2014

How to go to shows alone

Casually lean against walls.

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Stand in the front row during sets so at least you feel involved enough in the sense that you are actually really 'seeing' the bands. Also,  you can pay close attention to the bands and try to learn something by watching people play.

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Involve yourself in something pocket-sized between sets (small book, notebook, calendar, flyers etc...)

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Read everything on the walls around you. If you act interested, you might find that it actually is really interesting.

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Send a couple of funny texts to friends from out of town about your bleak social life or make a couple of phone calls between sets. BUT it's important not to be on your phone too much because you want to remain present (otherwise, what's the point?)

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To strike up brief conversation with neighbors, ask: "What band is this / is next?" or "did ____ already play?" etc.

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Remind yourself to stand tall, convince yourself via internal monologues to feel proud and dignified in the fact that despite loneliness and social anxiety, you are doing good things with your time and you are at a show for the music, a.k.a. the most important reason. Plus, you are brave and strong and loners are mysterious anyway and maybe someone has a crush on you or wants to be your friend because they keep seeing you at every show and they are starting to wonder about you.

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