(Photo : Marcelo Hernandez/Getty Images)
According to a recent study from ticket marketplace Viagogo, nearly two in five British concert-goers want to attend events or festivals by themselves this summer. The study also disclosed the most common excuses British people gave for not riding alone to events.
Viagogo and NHS physician Ally Jaffee have collaborated to produce a comprehensive guide for independent concert-goers.
In a poll conducted by Viagogo, 2,000 British people were asked for their opinions on going to an event alone. Nearly 62% of participants stated they had never attended a concert alone, and about 77% expressed anxiety about doing so.
However, 39% of respondents indicated they intended to participate in an event alone soon.
The poll found that 27% of concert-goers want more "control over the acts they see at festivals," 39% want to attend to feel more free, and 23% want to take advantage of the chance to meet new people.
In addition, 17% of respondents expressed anxiety about traveling alone, and 13% worried they would feel "judged" for being alone. Of the reasons respondents felt uneasy about attending events alone, 24% said they lacked confidence in their own company, 24% said they would not feel safe, and 22% felt "far too anxious."
The study also discovered a gender difference in the responses, with more women than men exhibiting reluctance. When asked, 35% of women and 13% of men indicated they were insecure about attending concerts alone.
Furthermore, only 11% of males expressed the same sentiment as 36% of women about the possibility of feeling unsafe.
Even with the comparatively high proportion of negative feedback, a few participants said they felt more confident after hitting a show alone. Around 38% reported feeling "self-confident," 20% reported feeling "less anxious," and 20% reported feeling "happier."
The ticket marketplace will hold a "Solo Social" event before Taylor Swift's European 'Eras Tour' leg to encourage fans to meet new people, learn safety tips, and relieve fears about riding alone. The event, scheduled for Wednesday, May 22nd, will include games, quizzes, performances, free beverages, and more.
