Let’s imagine your favorite artist is coming to town. You and your go-to concert buddy are all jazzed up and decide to buy some early bird tickets. A couple of months pass by and the day of the concert is finally here! You get a phone call from your concert buddy, and they reveal that they’ve gotten sick and can no longer make the show tonight. You are crushed with disappointment. Your next thought is wondering what to do with the tickets. Do you sell them? Do you find someone else last minute? Or do you decide to go alone? Yes, I said alone. This is the dreaded dilemma many music lovers have faced at one point or another. We decided to put together the following guidelines for attending a concert alone so you can be well-prepared the next time around.

1. Socialize

Showing up alone doesn’t mean you need to stay alone! Whether it was moving to a new city or joining a sports team, we’ve all been alone at one point or another. The positive is that there will always be new people for you to meet. Trust me, the five seconds of awkward introductions are well worth the pain because it could quickly turn into a longtime friendship or relationship. If you are at the same concert, then there’s a good chance you’ll have similar music tastes. Name a better conversation topic than music. I’ll wait…

2. Wear a Conversation Starter

One of the best ways to start a conversation with people you don’t know is by wearing something interesting. I can’t count the number of times people have started a conversation with me because I had on some cool sneakers or was wearing a shirt they liked. This happens regularly in bars, nightclubs, and even concerts. At a show a couple years back, I met one of my good friends simply because they saw I was wearing a Soulection Radio shirt, and we remain friends to this day. This simple trick will make your life much easier.

3. Hang by the Bar

If you’ve ever been to a bar or club, you are probably familiar with this tactic. You can easily make yourself feel more comfortable at a concert by posting up by the bar. It’s a great chance to meet people as they order drinks, and you can even quench your own thirst with an ice-cold beverage. Instead of keeping your hands in your pockets, simply holding a drink (even water!) can make you appear more inviting and inspire people to chat with you. And of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t mention out that a little bit of alcohol can significantly calm your nerves and prevent you from getting in your own head. As always, drink responsibly.

4. Keep on the Move

One of the main reasons people are uncomfortable going to concerts alone is that we think people are judging us. We start to get into our own heads. An excellent way to combat these thoughts is to stay on the move. Work your way from one side of the venue to the other. Not only will people not have time to realize you’re alone, but it could also create several opportunities to meet other music lovers in passing.

5. Make up an Excuse?

Afraid of being judged for being alone? Just make up an excuse. You can say, “My friend canceled on me last minute,” or “I lost my friends.” It really doesn’t matter what you say because people actually care far less than you would think. However, having an excuse prepared beforehand might give you the extra boost of confidence you need to feel comfortable in the crowd.

[BONUS TIP]: Download the Beatmatch app

If you haven’t noticed yet, Beatmatch has already solved this problem for you! Beatmatch is the “offline” social app that helps music lovers find things to do and people to meet through music and events. Meet everyone going to the concerts you want to see by joining other people’s plans and creating your own. Download the app today to get started!

Try these tips out, and let us know what you think in the comments!