Going to festivals alone?

[Briggs0102]

Hi everyone

I've been checking out this website for a number of years now, but this is my first post. I just wanted to ask about peoples opinions of going to festivals alone? me and my friends have been going to festivals for years, but it's now got to the stage where we are old, have jobs and responsibilities (Incredible lame, I know)

I can't convince my friends to do a festival this year, due to finances and just generally not being able to get time off work.

I wanted to ask, what are peoples opinions of going to festivals alone? Is it a bit sad and stupid, or is it a great way of making new friends? Just asking for opinions

[MrZigster]

Sounds like me.

For a number of years.

The alone and why that is (I'm struggling to get the Sunday off this year responsibilities wise )

It's the finances and responsibilities that generally stop the people I would like to attend with I think.

As for going alone...

I've always done it anyway. Just because they can't doesn't mean I shouldn't.

Sad & Stupid? Possibly. I've certainly had some strange glances, looks and comments ("Billy no mates etc...) but really?

I may have felt a bit miserable at times but there is no way I would have got inside the barrier, 10th row for The Rolling Stones last year if I had gone with the usual easily distracted others.

Go for it I'd say.

[whisty]

It'd frighten me for sure, know it's not the same but I spend a good part of at least a day wandering around on my own here and there. Plenty of people in the Glastonbury thread end up going alone and almost all have a positive tale to tell. If you desperately want to go, just do it, worst way, if you're not enjoying things, just leave.Or consider working, that's an easy way to meet people.

Edited March 30, 2014 by whisty

[kaosmark2]

Doooooooooooooooo it.

Better at smaller festivals, but it's definitely worth it. I've taken to working them now (both as a way to meet people and because I'm poor).

There's a couple more threads around on this topic where I've written more details about my experiences if you want to search. (I'm currently hungover and don't feel like thinking much about what I'm writing).

[BA4 4BY]

This year will be my 3rd Glastonbury on my own. I haven't done any smaller festivals alone yet, although I wanted to go to Y Not last year and I'm contemplating Glastonbudget this May for a laugh!

I like the fact that you don't have to wait around for other people to sort themselves out and you can always do and see what you want when you want for as long as you want. I don't think it's sad or stupid as nobody else will know that you're there on your own unless you tell them, with the exception of the people you camp next to perhaps. As far as other people know you might have just chosen to do or watch something on your own for a while and your mates could be elsewhere.

At Glastonbury there is always someone that will talk to you when you feel like a bit of company and I've had some really good times with people who I'd never met before and haven't seen since! I'm hoping the smaller festivals are like this too.

I guess it's down to the individual; you're either someone who is happy in your own company for most of the time, or you need to be in the company of others, either way it's fine.