Here is a recap of How to Navigate Live Concerts & Festivals as discussed in the SOBER POP Tips Room on the Clubhouse App on Tuesday, June 1st, 2021. For many people in recovery, especially early recovery, the idea of attending concerts and festivals, places we used to attend (sometimes very) inebriated, can seem overwhelming. Does this mean we have to give them up? No, it doesn’t. We’re sober, not boring. That said, we do need to make a plan before putting ourselves in these types of environments.
SOBER POP Tips: 10 Useful Tips on Navigating Live Concerts and Festivals
1.) Change the way you listen to live music. Instead of a booze-fueled escape from reality, be present and consciously listen to the music. How many concerts have you been to that you cannot recall? You will have a better experience being mindful and tuned in to the music. Practice mindfulness and being where your feet are.
2.) If you’re worried about being offered something, be ready to explain why you’re saying no. Examples may include: “I have plans in the morning”, “I have to drive later”, or “I am abstaining for a while”. Feeling snarky? You can have fun with your comebacks as well. “You don’t have enough” or “I’m allergic to blacking out, but thanks anyway.”
3.) Plan ‘post-concert debrief calls’. Plan to check in with a few friends from your recovery community to share how you made it through. Accountability goes a long way.
4.) Bring a sober friend. There’s strength in numbers and they can encourage you and keep you accountable.
5.) Pre-show planning is important. Research has shown us that stress is one of the most dangerous relapse triggers. Map out the venue, parking, and exit strategies to keep the experience anxiety-free. Make sure you are in the right headspace. Be well-rested, drink lots of H2O, eat a meal, make sure your phone is fully charged, and have cash and your debit/credit card on hand for any unforeseen emergencies.
If you fail to plan, you plan to fail
6.) Challenge yourself to write a review of your experience. You can post a recap on a blog or setlist.com. This forces you to be present and engage with the material, and events and be continually observant. Having show-based duties is a mindful distraction from concession stand temptation.
7.) Be Prepared to leave at any time. Always have an exit plan. No concert experience is worth compromising your values. Tell yourself it’s okay if you need to bail early, or even make calls outside the venue until you have yourself under control.
8.) Start Small. Festivals are the big leagues… Start with a show nearby that you can get in and out and home easy if need be.
9.) The big book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 7, speaks of having a purpose to be in these tempting situations. When spiritually fit, we are free to go anywhere. That said, don’t linger too long before or after. You’re there to see a band, not to party.
10.) There may be a possibility that your favorite band has a fan club that has members who are clean and sober. Interestingly enough, this idea began in the 1980s with the Wharf Rats who were fans of the legendary jam band The Grateful Dead. In the years since their formation, other bands such as Widespread Panic, The String Cheese Incident, and more have followed suit. While most of these sober fan clubs center around groups in the jam band scene, you may find that your favorite group may have sober meetups for upcoming shows listed on their message boards or forums. Additionally, large music festivals such as Lollapalooza, Coachella, and Bonnaroo have sizable fan groups that are recovery-based and can provide a safe and encouraging environment for you to avoid drinking during music festivals. With just a little bit of research and planning, you will likely find yourself having a better experience than you ever had when you were under the influence.
PLAY IT AGAIN: Music can instantly transport you to another state of mind and alter your mood in a heartbeat. So, of course, we’re curating the most excellent recovery tunes for our The Ultimate Sober Playlist. This section features select songs that represent various parts of our journey and serve as sobriety anthems, reminding us to stay the course. These are the ones that have us saying “Play It Again” and always end up on repeat. No decade or genre is off-limits. Happy listening!
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