By Ade Blackburn
Recent reports show an increase in people attending events and venues like museums, art galleries, theatre shows and gigs alone. Gone are the days when attending events alone was viewed by some as unconventional. Today, it reflects a growing appreciation for personal space and individual experiences in arts and culture.
In this feature, we’re exploring the increase in people attending events alone, the benefits of solo trips and tips to help you enjoy events alone if you’re a first-timer.
Solo cultural visits becoming more popular
Over half of festival goers attend festivals solo or with just one other person. The NME reported that the majority of young people have attended a music event on their own and a surprising study by DICE, found that most people felt music was more enjoyable alone.
This shift reflects broader changes in attitudes towards loneliness and individual experiences. Music website Bandsintown, discovered a notable rise in solo concert-goers since the Covid-19 pandemic, with up to 70% having attended a show alone in the past year. So, with that in mind, it seems there’s no time like the present to give the solo concert or event a whirl; you won’t be the only one.
Additionally, new research, commissioned by Beavertown Brewery, indicates that nearly half of those living in the North West have confessed to feeling lonely as a result of having fewer friends now compared to when they were younger. Many would love to attend events solo, but the majority feel either too anxious or nervous to take the plunge.
People will have different motivations for attending events on their own, whether it is a feeling of loneliness or a shift in perspective and wanting to attend events alone, at least on certain occasions. Whatever the reason is there are benefits to attending events solo.
The benefits of going solo
Going solo to art events can be daunting, people naturally have common concerns and fears, such as feeling out of place or lonely. They can also be worried about the social stigma that sometimes surrounds doing activities alone but there are plenty of benefits to attending events individually, like having the freedom to explore at your own pace, and the opportunity for self-reflection.
On your own, you can go directly to the galleries you’re interested in and not spend time on art you have little or no desire to see. Visitors spend on average 30 seconds in front of a piece of art but you can spend an hour contemplating one sculpture or breeze past an exhibit you’ve seen half a dozen times.
When you’re by yourself at a gallery or event, you also have more opportunities to meet new people. You’re more likely to strike up a conversation with strangers, and luckily, art events are filled with the perfect conversation starters. You could ask someone a simple open-ended question, such as “What do you think of this painting?”
On the other hand, when you go solo at an event, you won’t, or don’t have to have the distraction of social interaction. Instead, you can focus on the art, or look for inspiration. A museum is the perfect place to bring a sketchbook, hunker down somewhere and draw what’s around you – whether that’s the artworks or the people. Museums are a wonderful place to people watch!
Feeling welcome
Event organisers are increasingly making solo attendees feel more comfortable, such as hosting ‘solo attendee’ nights or providing resources for those attending alone. They understand that creating a welcoming environment for solo visitors can enhance the experience for everyone.
For people with disabilities, solo situations are obviously more challenging again. While each person is unique in terms of the personal circumstances they face, loneliness is a common and destructive factor. Getting the right support is so important. British Red Cross and Scope both offer help and advice for meeting new people and attending events. Additionally, Gig Buddies is a charity that aims to bring people together at events, in particular gigs.
You may also meet people through your impairment or condition. This could be through disability websites, charities, local groups or forums. If you’ve ever felt like you’re held back by a venue or event’s facilities Right to Participate: out and about offers advice on your rights when a venue or service is not accessible.
The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) can also provide help and assistance, as well as hosting events of their own. Their website gives a whole range of advice on wellbeing and dealing with loneliness.
Another option you can look to is GigMate, a free app that is a community-based event discovery service for live music gigs. They will keep you updated on all of the live gigs near you, whatever genre of music you’re into. You’ll also have the chance to meet fellow music fans in their online communities or Tribes. If you haven’t got anyone to go to a gig with, they will find you other music fans in your area that match your profile exactly.
Tips for first-timers
- Start small: Start with a small, local event and build up to larger or more high-profile cultural experiences. Solo gigs can be among the most rewarding, but the vibe of the evening should be in keeping, an intimate indie gig is probably more suited than a larger dance night.
- Shift your perspective: Start by viewing solo outings as opportunities for personal growth and self-discovery. Embrace the freedom and flexibility that comes with not having to coordinate with others.
- Join guided tours or groups: Many cultural venues offer guided tours, which can be a great way to engage with the content and meet other attendees.
- Attend special events or workshops: Look for events that encourage participation or interaction, such as workshops, lectures, or special tours.
- Regularly attend events: The more you go to events alone, the more comfortable it becomes. It can also increase the chances of seeing familiar faces.
- Volunteer at events: This can be a great way to feel part of the event while also being engaged in a specific role.
Our advice is to embrace the enriching experience of attending arts and cultural events solo. The thought of going to a place as public as a museum by yourself might be intimidating, but it’s well worth trying out. You might discover another side to yourself, to the art or to other people that you wouldn’t have experienced otherwise.
Three upcoming / current events suited to solo attendees
Lindy in the Sky with Diamonds Swing Festival, Masonic Hall (19 – 21 January)
Learning a new skill, such as vintage swing dancing, can be an ideal way to meet new people and engage at a cultural event. Mersey Swing CIC are holding their Lindy in the Sky with Diamonds Swing Festival this January, with a host of dance teachers on hand to help.
Tim Spooner: A New Kind of Animal exhibition, Bluecoat (Until 21 January)
Tim Spooner: A New Kind of Animal exhibition features an exciting new commission, alongside an impressive body of work, including over 190 works in collage, painting, sculpture and objects used in performances over the past 15 years. Bluecoat offers a range of facilities for disabled patrons. The exhibition is free entry.
Cast ‘Love Is The Call’ Album Performance – Jacaranda Baltic, (18 February)
Jacaranda Records present a live in-store performance from Cast celebrating the release of new album ‘Love Is The Call’. An opportunity to see a classic band in a smaller, intimate setting, ideal for rediscovering live music on your own.