Some people think they need the comfort of a group to have fun at a concert.

However, being at an event where communicating verbally is nearly impossible and the building is overflowing with sweaty bodies as it is, you may have a better experience going alone.

Expectations dictate that if you are going to see any type of performance for entertainment purposes, someone must accompany you lest you have obvious social deficiencies.

One of my favorite bands of all time was putting on a show near my home this summer.

Going was not a question; I purchased my ticket as soon as they went on sale. The only thing I was not so sure of was whom would I be able to get to go with me.

It is a hard life for a metal fan, and a female one at that. I have very few friends who enjoy the same genre of music as I do.

Metal is not played on the radio or MTV where the average listener might venture to hear new music, and the metal community suffers from a lot of stereotypes and misinterpretations from the general public.

Just because none of your friends share your enthusiasm for your favorite band does not mean you should sit in your room and cry because you will miss them yet again.

I did not, and not only do I not regret my decision to go to a concert by myself for the first time, I had a blast and would definitely do it again.

Especially in a smaller, club-type venue, space is limited, so more bodies generally means more shoving, sweating, and having a harder time finding somewhere to squeeze in and stand among the crowd.

When you are by yourself at a concert, you can arrive at whichever time you want. If it is your favorite group you have been idolizing since you were 13 finally going on tour near your city, you probably want to show up in advance to be able to get closer to the stage.

If you are less enthusiastic or do not mind standing in back, you will probably want to get there as the show opens, or maybe after the opening bands are finished.

Generally you will be screaming between songs in your friends’ ears to be able to tell them anything anyway.

If you really want to socialize, this would be a great time to find new friends; you already have something in common with everyone around you.

If you fear going to a concert alone for safety reasons, just make sure you check out the venue ahead of time. Read online reviews and call the owners to be certain they have proper security.

Concert etiquette has dictated every show I have been to, and the common practice is to help someone up who has fallen and make sure they are OK.

So, do not worry about people judging you for going to a concert alone. Chances are, they will be too busy watching the performance anyway, and you can do that as well with more focus if you aren’t distracted by your friends’ needs to use the bathroom again.

Stephanie Markham is a senior journalism major. She can be reached at 581-2812 or samarkham@eiu.edu.