I always found myself really into local music, like just everything about it. People going out and playing their own music in a community with other musicians. What wouldn't be appealing with that especially for a musician like myself? I used to love going to shows, mainly punk and hardcore through out high school, and even a bit in college, but I am really starting to DREAD it now. Maybe it is just because I am becoming aware of different things in older age, but I'm starting to really loathe going to shows. When I was in high school it was more about let's here some good music so I can mosh my head off! Now I just think way to much about the social aspect of shows, the scene to be specific. I used to go to shows by myself no problem, but now I will never go to a show by myself. Every single time I go to a show by myself, I always end up standing in the corner by myself pretending to be texting someone. I HATE the dead time between sets because then you are practically FORCED to socialize. I hate that feeling so much, that it's the reason I won't go to shows anymore. And on top of that I just can't deal with the people. Not to sound like a bad person or anything, but I just can't take the hipsters I see at these shows, priding themselves on what bands they are familiar with. No I have not heard of them, so I guess that makes me uncool? It's kind of ironic, a community that claims to be non-judgmental and open, has come across to me as just about THE most pretentious and exclusive community I have EVER been a part of. Not saying you won't be allowed into a show, but nobody for sure will give you the time of day. I really don't feel it's about the music. It's all word of mouth and what people say. You could really enjoy a band, and then here everyone else say wow... you actually like that band?..... wow what a poser... or you could think a band is absolute trash and noise, and hear everyone else talk about how amazing and groundbreaking they are. Of course everyone has a right to there opinion, like what you want, I just can't take the judgement anymore! I feel like I'm being put on a stage and judged under a spotlight when I'm at a show. Does he look like a poser? Has he ever even heard of any of these bands? does he even know anyone here? It's just not fun for me anymore!! In all honesty I would rather just sit at home and read than take the trouble to go out to a show just to be ignored in a corner pretending to text and take long walks between sets just to avoid socializing. And yes I have made an effort to be social, it's just hard when everyone else is already so tight knit. I used to feel like going to a punk show was a way for me to embrace being an outcast in high school and not fitting in, but now I feel just as if I were back in high school looking over at the cool kids table wondering why I just couldn't fit in. I just can't be a part of this community anymore.... Or maybe it's just me?