Four Reasons To Go To Music Shows Outside Of The UK
Image taken by the wonderful Matt Higgs
Now there’s no hiding the fact that I love travelling and making a trip outside of the UK is one of my favourite things to do, now mix that in with music and you’ve got a trip right up my street. I’ve been to Amsterdam on two separate occasions for shows – Once for Bring Me The Horizon and the other for The Weeknd – and I’ve been to Paris to see both Good Charlotte and Simple Plan. I’ve hopped on planes to Belfast and Dublin for shows and I even went to Warped Tour in New York last summer, tailoring my trip around this. I am a firm believer that going to shows outside of the UK makes them even more special and here’s why.
There’s a totally different atmosphere
I find shows outside the UK feel totally different, sometimes that’s because you can hear people chattering in different languages, it could be the experience of exploring a new venue or it could simply by a band acting differently to cater for their crowd. For example when Simple Plan hit Paris recently they spoke the majority of the time in French as they’re from the French side of Canada and while I had no idea what was going on a lot of the time it was such a cool experience and something I’d never get at home. Plus, if you’re going to a concert of a genre that is much more popular abroad, the atmosphere will be incredible, and you’ll be surrounded by people who are just as passionate about the music as you (perhaps for the first time ever!). For example, if you love country music, there is arguably no better place to see it than the country it originated – the USA – so it could be well worth it to check out TicketSmarter’s offerings for Morgan Wallen, or another artist you love within the genre, and see if you can combine an amazing experience with a trip to somewhere you have always wanted to visit.
It’s a chance to explore a new country
Tying in a show with a holiday means you can get two things you love, see a band you want to see and get time to see a new country. When I went to Amsterdam to see The Weeknd I got the chance to see an incredible act but also spend three days really getting to know the city and falling in love, and chances are if my friend hadn’t wanted to go to the show I may not have gotten to go there at that time.
Image taken by the wonderful Matt Higgs
Image taken by the wonderful Matt HiggsThe support slots tend to be good
Many acts take different support artists on tour in mainland Europe than they do in the UK for a variety of reasons. Sometimes an act might be too big to support the act in the UK but they’re less known in Europe so head along. When I went to see Good Charlotte they had Sleeping With Sirens, State Champs and Issues support them and this would never have happened in the UK at the same time as the support bands are just too big.
It’s your chance to see big UK bands play smaller shows
Much like the support slot situation some UK bands might be big in the UK but may not have broken mainland Europe or America so this is your chance to see a band play a show you’d never see at home. When I went to Groezrock in Belgium I saw Caliban sub for a headliner and play a huge set with an amazing backdrop but a week later in the UK they played first on a small stage, and vice versa I saw a band headlining a stage at Slamdunk Festival in the UK play at 3pm on a tiny stage in Belgium.
Would you ever consider going abroad for a show?
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25 responses to “Four Reasons To Go To Music Shows Outside Of The UK”
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All About Me
Rhian Westbury
Travels and Destinations
Nothing currently planned
Yes I would. I agree with the last point too. Would be more intimate and in a different vibe.
I once went to Germany for Rock Am Ring which was amazing. Definitely a whole different vibe and atmosphere to UK festivals. I would definitely go and see bands abroad, especially if they weren’t coming to the UK for a while.
Absolutely agree. I saw Damien Marley in Budapest last year and it was incredible x
I love the ideal of mixing up music and travels, best of both and a fab experience 🙂 x
I love gigs (I’ve been to 2 already this month and I’ve got one more on Monday!) and I’ve love to go to one abroad. Well, actually, I nearly did get to go to one abroad. Back in the late 90s, I travelled to Paris to see Robbie Williams in concert, only for him to get ill and the whole tour cancelled at the last minute. Still, I had a nice trip to Paris, even if I didn’t get to see the concert!
i went to one in budapest last year and i do agree that it was a different atmosphere. i loved being there and wish it never ended
Good thinking, I bet music shows are an excellent way to get a taste of a new country!
I haven’t been to a concert in donkeys years but I remember the atmosphere being electric!
I’d like to try but with two kiddies won’t be until there much older or the youngest is older! fab idea though !!
This sounds fab I have to be honest I’ve never thought of seeing a music concert in another country before!
I’ve never thought of heading abroad to see a show, but I love the idea of getting to see a big UK act in a smaller venue x
I’ve never been to a festival outside the UK but I’ve always wanted to, I’ve heard how amazing they are and I’d love to combine a festival with a chance to explore a new place.
If i didn’t have kids i would be doing far more of this. Until then i can live vicariously through you – yes!?
It makes perfect sense now that you explained it! I am not really a festival type (as I hate the entire messy (mud, rain, sweat, etc) situation) but I know my sister would love to go to shows all over Europe so will share this with her.
I haven’t been to a music festival in years! The few I attended were fun and you always have a good time with friends. Maybe Ill see if I can go to one here in NYC if there are any happening this summer.
I would love to travel for music shows! I always think everything is much more fun and relaxed on the continent if that makes sense, so reckon seeing an artist might be a totally different experience like you said. Plus nobody ever comes to Aberdeen so if I have to travel I might as well do it right haha xx
Wow! I have never thought about doing this before, but it sounds like a cracking idea. I might have to integrate this into my 50 bucket list!!
I totally agree! This music festival sounds really fun and exciting. I would love to go to one of these.
My folks have travelled to Belfast and Wales to see shows and it’s much cheaper than London gigs but never traveled to Europe or further afield. Great idea!
I went to the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville. It was fabulous! Interesting show as it’s the longest running live music show on radio. They actually have adverts in the middle of the show, someone comes on and talks about Cracker Barrel 😉
I’ve never been abroad for a gig, but I did go and see Sleeping With Sirens when I was in Amsterdam as they’re my friend’s favourite band. It was definitely a different experience and I would like to do it again!
I’ve never been brave enough to go see someone abroad – there was a gig in Paris a few years back that I chickened out of getting a ticket for as I had no one who wanted to go with me!
I have never been to a music festival so don’t really know what to expect, however going abroad must be more exciting due to a different culture and people that attend.
I have never been to an outdoor festival but have been to a few concerts – i bet the whole atmosphere is amazing!
Ooh I probably wouldn’t consider doing this, but definitely would give it more thought and like you say, it;s a great way to see another country x