I Stay Safe: A Woman’s Guide to Solo Concert Going

A music enthusiast who has attended 12 concerts solo in the past six months believes more women should embrace the experience.

Nicole Elizabeth, amid the approaching festival season, advocates for women to attend gigs alone, despite potential hesitations.

She aims to address concerns highlighted by recent viagogo research, which indicates that 73% of women have never attended a live show solo, primarily due to safety and confidence issues.

Nicole is determined to empower women and enhance their sense of security in music environments.

Since beginning to attend gigs solo, the 38-year-old from southeast London notes a significant boost in her self-assurance.

“Attending gigs on my own was a challenge at first,” she explained, expressing her frustration with waiting for companions.

Reflecting on her experience, she describes feeling empowered and overcoming the anxiety of socializing alone.

Nicole finds freedom in striking up conversations with strangers and relishes the opportunity to immerse herself in new environments. Initially daunting, she found solace in smiling at others and initiating friendly interactions.

Nicole’s solo journey commenced when she couldn’t find companions for a show at Royal Albert Hall.

Now, she enjoys the freedom to attend any concert she desires. Her favorite experience? Seeing the Spice Girls at Wembley Stadium, the ultimate display of girl power.

In an unexpected turn, Nicole found that indulging in “me time” to pursue her passion has benefited her relationship, as her partner Carlton Senior, 45, doesn’t share her music preferences.

To ease nervousness, Nicole employs various techniques, like having a friend available for calls. Aware of the paramount importance of safety, Nicole advocates for apps like Strut Safe for support during nighttime walks and suggests offline music playlists for comfort during transit.

She acknowledges that many women may hesitate to attend gigs solo due to safety concerns. Despite lingering social pressure and potential judgment, Nicole believes the stigma around attending events alone is diminishing.

Understanding the daunting nature of solo outings, Nicole has initiated her own women-only music events.

The research conducted by viagogo surveyed 2,000 Brits to gauge their attitudes toward attending music concerts solo.

Findings indicate that nearly a quarter of respondents lack confidence (24%), feel unsafe (24%), or experience significant anxiety (22%) about attending alone.

Additionally, 17% admit to feeling uneasy about traveling solo to a show, while 13% fear judgment from others for attending solo. Shockingly, the gender disparity is stark, with twice as many men as women having attended a live show alone.

In response, viagogo is launching its inaugural ‘Solo Socials’ event ahead of Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour in London, aimed at boosting confidence and fostering connections among solo attendees.

The platform is collaborating with an NHS doctor and a seasoned gig-goer to provide expert advice.

Nicole emphasizes that attending gigs alone is empowering, despite initial vulnerability, as it fosters independence and allows for immersive enjoyment of the experience.