The title of today’s blog post, “Alone Together,” is a total contradiction, except that more and more, it is how people have spent their time since March of 2020. Originally a title of Dave Mason’s first solo album in 1970, it caught my attention back then for the same reason.
(Fred, you’re dating yourself. Who’s Dave Mason? He was an original member of Traffic and went on to enjoy a nice solo career back in Classic Rock’s golden era. More on this album at the end of this post.)
And apparently, this idea of going solo at otherwise crowded events may be becoming something of a trend. According to a recent study from Bandsintown, a whopping eight in ten of live music fans give a thumbs-up to going solo at a live concert. In fact, more than a third of participants in their survey say they’ll be “going stag” to a show within the next year.
Erica Campbell covers the story for NME. The research sampled more than 1,100 “music fans” in the U.S. Personally, I have gone to the movies alone (twice) but have never attended a live show with 12,000 screaming people I’ve never met.
But apparently, that’s the point of going solo – the people around you aren’t complete strangers – you have something in common with them, a sort of community.
Bandsintown co-founder Fabrice Sergent says “going to a show solo is the ultimate level of fandom. Fans love the artist so much that they feel great going on their own.”
Sort of like being in the company of strangers. There’s a sense of community concert-goers have with one another, even if they’re not connected IRL or on social media – they know the music, the lyrics, and they share their adoration of the performer.
Who is most likely to go it alone to a concert? Rockers (of course), followed by fans of the Alternative genre. While one-third of Rock devotees are copacetic with showing up unescorted, only 1% of dance music fans are simpatico with the idea of hitting a concert venue by their lonesome.
We have seen the rise of social groups over the years, a topic we’ll be tracking next month in Techsurvey 2023. And as Sergent writes, this sense of being together with like-minded music lovers is the key:
“Fans either attend live events because of the social experience, the music, the artist, or a mix of both.”
It makes you wonder why more stations don’t segment their email databases by musical artist fandom. In that way, you help to eliminate the embarrassment of getting that contest winner on the air who inappropriately asks, “Which concert is this for again?”
By giving hardcore fans first crack at seeing their faves on stage, you go to the heart – literally – of their strong affection for that artist who visits your town or the nearby big city.
And if this Bandsintown research is even remotely accurate, those 10 pairs of tickets you have to give away just became 20 opportunities to call-in-and-win. (Don’t try this at home.)
It also brings to mind a similar trend, but this one is less social: living alone. In a recent New York Times feature story – “As Gen X and Boomers Age, They Confront Living Alone,” Dana Goldstein and Robert Gebeloff explore what it means to live alone.
Consider that in 1960, only 13% of American households contained just a single person. Today, lone residents are nearing the 30% level – among those over 50, it’s up to 36%.
The Times tells us something you might have suspected: those over 50 are more apt to be divorced or separated, or they never took that walk down the aisle.
The chart below tracks this trend, perhaps explaining all those 50-something rockers are now going to concerts on their own – there’s no one else to go with:
And of course, this leads us back to radio, a medium with no shortage of consumers in their fifties – or sixties or seventies. The appeal of many radio formats – Rock and Classic Rock included – skew older, as do several other genres.
When we consult the trends in our Techsurveys, research conducted among core radio listeners, we learn that once we go beyond the basic appeal of music and personalities, the “emotional benefits” of the medium show up prominently on the “Why Radio?” hierarchy.
My favorite of those little red circle “e” icons is companionship – “radio keeps me company.”
It’s the intimacy of companionship, so lacking in so many lives, that comes crackling through the airwaves. Is there a more intimate media relationship when sitting alone in car to have that familiar voice chatting with you? Or being alone at home with the radio on, tuning into a conversation with a trusted, entertaining host?
When radio is live, in the moment, and (bonus points) local, it can make these simple, but meaningful connections, with this growing number of life’s solo travelers. Radio has a unique opportunity to tap into this growing group of those journeying through life on their own.
After all, isn’t that the true meaning of “Alone Together?”
For insights like the “Why Radio?” chart for YOUR radio station, register now for Techsurvey 2023 here.
“Alone Together” was Dave Mason’s first album after becoming a solo artist, post-Traffic. He was joined by a veritable roster of all-star players of the day, including Jim Capaldi, Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, Rita Coolidge, and Leon Russell among others.
The novelty of the record, released on the Blue Thumb label, was that roughly 30% were produced in what was called “marble vinyl” – pink, brown, and beige all swirled together.
The album jacket was different, too – a tri-fold design that also served as a poster of Mason. The album produced a hit, “Only You Know and I Know,” but contained several tracks played on FM rock radio stations back in the day.
Copies of the “marble vinyl” version fetch higher prices on the resale market. It is a work of art. And yes, I happen to own one. – FJ
Jacobs Media has consistently walked the walk in the digital space, providing insights and guidance through its well-read national Techsurveys.
In 2008, jacapps was launched - a mobile apps company that has designed and built more than 1,300 apps for both the Apple and Android platforms. In 2013, the DASH Conference was created - a mashup of radio and automotive, designed to foster better understanding of the "connected car" and its impact.
Along with providing the creative and intellectual direction for the company, Fred consults many of Jacobs Media's commercial and public radio clients, in addition to media brands looking to thrive in the rapidly changing tech environment.
Fred was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2018.
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Speaking of marbles…your timing is impeccable, as always! Today is the 50th Anniversary of “The Blue Marble” photograph of Earth taken by the crew of Apollo 17 – three humans who were “alone together” on their journey to the Moon!
https://www.cnn.com/style/article/blue-marble-photo-50th-anniversary-snap-scn/index.html
Who knew? Thanks for this, Jay!
In most of the concerts that I have attended, I have always been accompanied by someone.
Probably the only time I went alone was to the 1999 Woodstock Festival.
The colleague who was going with me to cover the event suffered an anxiety attack the day before arriving in Rome, NY, and had to return to Colombia.
Although I enjoyed the festival, with all its ups and downs, it was still boring not having someone by my side to share all the experiences with.
No. As long as possible, I will always go to a concert accompanied by someone.
I have a sense I see it the same way, Tito. But as that research study shows, more people are going it alone – a sign of our times.
Damn! I had a copy of the 45 of Grand Funk Railroad “We’re an American Band” on gold vinyl.
I couldn’t agree more. When the national voice tracker is telling me that artist “x” is startling their residency in “y” when it’s pouring rain or snowing looking out the window…radio has lost its intimacy.
That’s what make it such a great product. Live and local.
Thanks for the comment, Jerry. I know many agree with you.
Have attended a show, traveled alone & it’s pretty cool. Especially the latter for Springsteen. Because you’re never alone at a Bruce show.
Tim, you are so right. THAT is a community.
Nailed it again, Fred. No one need be alone who has a radio. And radio alone (pardon pun) can provide this. When a station has a substantial portion of the local population who would list your talent among their “best friends,” you’ve achieved that unique status.
I have that first Dave Mason LP, too, the strongest solo effort he ever released. Not a duff track on it.
“Alone Together” was in my top 10 albums of 1970, an amazing project.
Thanks for the reinforcement on the companionship issue, John. I know we share our reverence for one of radio’s true super powers.
As always Fred, you are right on. The comment we hear most at our station here in Guayaquil (Ecuador) is: “You are always with me.” We are thankful for so many stories of being that “special friend” over the past 50 years. We celebrated our 50th last month, but not alone. Lots of listening friends came to join us!
Thanks for bringing that international perspective to the conversation, Allen. And congrats on your golden anniversary – most stations will never get there.
“Alone Together” is my favorite album of all time and has been since first heard at a school party in 1970. I’ve had the opportunity to talk to Dave about it a few times and have fun on the air with him, like playing “lap drums” at his urging for his impromptu performance of “You Can All Join In” and helping him get the words down for “Just A Song.” He said he hadn’t played the song in more than 20 years, but agreed to re-record the album live in our Performance Studio. It is as close to a perfect album as you will find in my opinion. When we chose the all-important “first song” for our channels back in 2001 at XM, “World In Changes” was the choice for The Loft without hesitation. Through all the music I’ve absorbed in my 66 years, this album has been a constant companion. I once said to Dave, It seems like it took a bit of time to for him to come up with new material after the album and asked if it was due to the turmoil of the Blue Thumb contract or if that’s just the way he worked and he said with a laugh “Well it was only 8 songs, but they were pretty good songs, weren’t they?” I had to agree.
P.S. There is also a Japanese CD in “Marble” back in 2006 and an SHM remaster in 2010 that sound amazing.
Mike, this is a great story – really cool to have insight from Dave himself. I think it is sadly common – an artist puts 150% into that first album; every great song they’ve ever written. And if it’s a hit, coming up with that sophomore album must be like rolling a boulder up a hill. Thanks for this.
I traveled solo to London and Paris this time last year (and brought my laptop, headphones and mic with me, taking the concept of “remote” voice tracking extra remote). Anyway, my first night in London, a friend called to say that he could put me on the guest list for Van Morrison that same night (his friend, who I’d never met, is in the band). The show was starting in 30 minutes, did I want to go? Jet lagged and feeling rushed and a twinge of social anxiety, I hesitated for a second, then said “of course, thank you!”. The show was great and after the show I met up with the guitarist and all of his non-band buddies (Van was nowhere to be found) and I ended up making a bunch of new friends that night. It was just as much fun as my solo nights out in London as a student there in 1984. I’d forgotten how easy it is to make new friends at a show if you’re there on your own.
Marylee, there is a community at a concert where you truly love the artist and their music. Thanks for a great story.