Music festival alone or not? Any tips?

I have bad social anxiety. I dont make it out of the house most days. However, I have always desperately wanted to go to a music festival and have never been because of my lack of friends. I have bought a ticket to a medium sized festival and would like to go by myself at the end of the month. There is no camping at this festival, but I will stay in a nearby hostel or BnB. Does anyone have any REALISTIC tips and advice to help me cope with my biggest fears so that I actually end up going to this festival?

The things that will present the biggest challenges to me are as follows:

1) I will be self conscious that everyone will be able to see I am alone and I will blatantly look like a loner. Then people will think I'm weird. Because of this self consciousness, I wont be able to relax and enjoy my time there.

2) What will I do by myself during sets amongst the crowd, in between other things around the festival and standing in lines?

3) If someone tries to talk to me, and they gather that I'm alone, should I openly embrace it confidently or lie and pretend I have friends elsewhere in the festival? Also, what would I even say to confidently tell them that I've come to this festival by myself?

My goal is to attend this festival fearlessly, confidantly and not be ashamed of being alone. I want to shamelessly have a good time.

I guess one of the most important questions to ask is - do you intend to consume any sort of substances (alcohol, etc)? If you've never been to a festival before, I would first and foremost want to make sure you understand the prevalence of substance consumption and make sure you are safe above all else (stay hydrated, don't overdo it, etc).

As far as your concerns go...
1) You will meet a lot of people at festivals who go alone. It can actually be really fun to attend a festival when there is no one there who knows you to make you feel self conscious; I'm a huge introvert and I find that I can be myself more fully among strangers because I don't really care what they think of me. I would just lean into it. If you're nervous, go ahead and say so. You'll find that a lot of people will go out of their way to help you feel more at ease if they know it's your first time and you're alone.

2) If approaching strangers isn't your thing and you don't want to look awkward standing around, bring something to do. You'll see people with hula hoops, juggling, etc - if you have a skill like that, it's a great icebreaker. If not, that's okay too! Find someone who is doing something like that and compliment them - easy icebreaker. A simple idea is to bring bubbles - when you're feeling awkward, just start blowing bubbles and you'll find yourself surrounded by new friends in no time.

3) Unless the person is giving you creepy vibes, just embrace it. If you are constantly trying to pretend you aren't alone, you'll cause yourself more anxiety than if you just lean into it. If this is an exercise with a goal to empower yourself, just be honest. Say something like "Well I'm actually usually pretty shy but I decided to be brave and put myself out there all by myself today!"

Just remember tons of people at festivals are there for their first time and are nervous. That's okay! Just make sure you're taking care of your body's needs and do your best not to close yourself off from other people and you'll be just fine.

This is some good advice, thank you.

Hi Jess,

First of all, I believe you're goal will be accomplished. Based on your post, you are already envisioning yourself there, having a great time. You've already bought your ticket and secured yourself a spot to one of life's greatest mysterious healers, which is music. For me, music, and especially concerts/festivals are akin to religious experiences (for lack of a better term for some). From the warm community to the atmosphere to the sights and sounds of the music - you can't go wrong with going, whether it's by yourself or with a group.

You may go there alone, but once you are there you won't be alone at all.

Some suggestions: In between sets, make sure you hydrate like the poster above mentioned. Grab a bite to eat, maybe a drink, or maybe some toke if that helps you. If not, then maybe stay away from that because it could cause paranoia. Considering it's a multi-day event, why not bring a book to read while you are at the BnB/hostel.

While you are at the festival, bring a journal to write in in between sets about your time there. Writing could include a list of bands to look into when you're back home, some interesting people you've seen or met, and just the atmosphere. If you have a good camera (or your phone if that works) go ahead and get some nice shots to chronicle this event for you so you can look back and remember the goals you accomplished. These photos and the experience as a whole is a great way to pave the way for future friendships. Think about meeting someone and telling them about it! I know I personally would find it really cool that you did that. Which brings up something else.

Going alone to the movie theater or a concert is something that a lot of people have all considered, and for good reason, but end up not going because of the perception that they might be seen as a loner. How about the term lone wolf instead? It sounds more empowering and brave. Because I would argue that many who consider it and do not go, end up regretting it. Truthfully, I've enjoyed doing these things by myself when I have done them and it is seen as a brave thing by many. It is a liberation.

In regards to others talking with you, I agree with Treevoice in that you should just embrace your situation and be honest with others and yourself. If you end up fibbing it very well could exacerbate the anxiety. No doubt you'll end up meeting some like-minded folks because they're at the same music festival, you know?

Perhaps you could get some blank cds and cheap paper sleeves and make a rad (only word I could think of here lol) mix cd to pass out to any new person you meet. Spread the love of music and the love of sharing.

When I saw this thread title I thought, I have to reply and offer my advice because something like this could be better than any medication as long as you approach it with an open mind and embrace your state so you can ultimately enjoy the rinse from the music itself.

Best of luck, and come back to this thread to let us know how it goes!

Here's a little addendum to my post to put my advice into some sort of context.
In terms of feeling like others are judging you, this is something I've struggled with a lot in the past. My anxiety and depression - which is a thing of the past for me now - stemmed from my father dying from alcohol poisoning, and the subsequent sexual/physical/emotional abuse from my mom's boyfriend who came into the picture after my dad passed when I was 7 years old. I was unmockingly voted quietest of my graduating class in high school, meaning that others liked me enough, I just didn't talk much. Many people cannot believe I was voted that these days (I'm 25 years old now). In high school, I spent a couple weeks in a psych hospital after suicide ideation and being self injurious.

When I speak of these days, these days are blessings. I've taken up writing, drawing, and playing guitar & singing which have helped me break through countless troubles. I can consider the past five years of my life some of the best years I've had, and I look forward to the prospect of tomorrow (just not finals week, lol).

I don't want to ramble on about my situation, but just wanted my advice to not sound like ********.

One last thing that I remind myself these days when I'm getting anxious about others judging me, in relation to you being at the festival: consider the reality and logic of others judging you. What is it that they are judging? Is it really you? Not at all. Even those that might know us well are only judging what is, in fact, an incomplete idea of who we are. We live out as intricate, but alas incomplete processes in the minds of others.

So when you think someone is judging you, just smile to yourself and be reminded that they are only judging their idea of who you are, not you.

I hope this helps. I find that at times, logic can aid in alleviating our troubles, whereas it falls flat sometimes. That's when expression and abstract thought can help - like poetry & art, the medicine of metaphors.

You've gotten some excellent advice and tips here. I have nothing to add but that I often go places myself and have grown quite comfortable with it. I'm glad you are going and hope you thoroughly enjoy it.

Maybe you'll make a friend

Is this a local music fest or is it summerfest in Milwaukee, WI.

There's a lot of good advice for you here. I would add maybe bring something homey with you to leave at where you're staying.

Check out the booths between acts. Talk to the sellers. You don't have to buy anything, but it will help keep the nervousness down.

And dress for the weather.

Good luck and hope you enjoy the festival. My husband and I are going to Retro Futura next month. Going to be interesting because the last performer I saw was Kenny Loggins, and that was before the breakdown.

A local one, but I live in the UK