Life's too short to skip concerts if you have no one to go with

I used to fear being judged or feeling awkward when going to concerts by myself - until I realised how freeing it actually is.

- Elizabeth Khor

"No! Don't go!" I screamed jokingly as Korean R&B artist GEMINI finished his set and started to leave the stage.

My heart skipped a beat when I caught a glimpse of him chuckling. He had reacted to me - some random girl who went down to Suntec City to watch him perform in September.

Oh, and did I mention, I was alone.

In the past 12 months, I've been to 10 concerts - eight of them on my own. I even went to Seoul - also solo - to catch one of them.

I used to think concerts were only fun if you went with friends. It's the kind of activity that you plan together, panic over securing tickets and then scream your lungs out side by side.

The thought of attending anything alone filled me with dread - fear of judgment, lack of enjoyment and even practical worries. Would my spot still be saved if I went to the washroom? Could I leave my things unattended on my seat?

But after going with my best friend to a concert by K-pop boyband SHINee early last year, I realised it wasn't just an activity you can enjoy with your friends - they are experiences that might never come around again.

My taste in music swings from K-pop to alt-R&B. As someone in her mid-30s, it's not always easy to find people with similar tastes to go to such events with.

Besides, once the concert starts, you don't actually feel alone.

The moment the artist appears, I find myself completely absorbed by the loud music, the engaging performance and the electric atmosphere.

I end up too busy filming, screaming and singing along with the whole crowd to notice that I am surrounded by a bunch of strangers. And when I can hear the whole crowd singing along with the artist - it's an overwhelming feeling that I'm part of something larger.