The Time I Attended a Concert Alone And Got Free Front Row Seats

A month or so leading up to Sabrina Carpenter’s concert, I was scrolling through Carousell and Twitter, scouring for “Looking For: Concert Buddy” posts. While I had attended concerts with near strangers (i.e. online friends) before, there was that unspoken agreement that they were 'each others’ ’ for the night, such that neither of you were ever left alone in a crowd. So, going completely alone was still foreign to me.

Eventually, the day finally came around. The anticipation of finally seeing Sabrina live and the anxiety of going by myself coalesced into a tangle of nerves and adrenaline. It was a seating concert, so there was no queuing required, and hence no opportunity to make friends. I went straight in, and soon after, the show began.

I reiterate –– it was a seating concert. But once the music started, fans on the ground floor of the theatre crowded in the space in front of the stage. I followed suit, uncertain if it was allowed, but more than happy to get a better view.

Three songs later, security came and herded everyone back to their seats. As the crowd shifted, I glimpsed an empty seat in the first row. I gradually shifted toward it and sat down. Nobody stopped me. Security eyed me suspiciously, but nobody came forward to question, or claim the seat. And I stayed there for the rest of the show.

In that moment, I discovered the bliss of being alone. No one to look out for; complete freedom. I found myself lost in the music, singing and dancing however I wished. Because at some point, I realised everyone around me was doing likewise. And the act they paid to watch was Sabrina, not me. Nobody was judging me, and I could wholeheartedly enjoy the show however I wanted to.

In the end, I also ended up making friends. I sung with the girl on my right, and helped a girl on my left hold up her Singapore flag. We bonded over shared surprise over how petite Sabrina was, but how strong her stage presence and vocals were in contrast. Choreography was perfectly executed during classics like ‘Sue Me’, and her vocal control was (pun intended) breathtakingly flawless in songs like ‘Exhale’.

I’ve gone for many fantastic concerts, but Sabrina’s remains in my top 3. While yes, it’s definitely because of the spectacular performance overall, I can’t help but attribute part of it to having gone alone. Once I realised nobody was watching, in a way, it was similar to the feeling of dancing (or flailing) around to music by yourself in your room. Completely freeing, as music should be. Complimentary the front row seat was definitely a good plus too.

I also plucked up the courage to ask the sound guys for a copy of the setlist as a souvenir! Mad cool.