Bonding whilst travelling to and from a concert.

Travelling to and from a concert on public transport recently I was struck by the differences in atmosphere between the two journey’s.

On the way to the stadium everyone was relatively quiet.  There was a gentle murmur of conversation and most people seemed to be in an expectant good mood as they made their way to the venue.  If you spotted another fan on the way a smile, nod of acknowledgement or brief pleasantries were exchanged and a sense of camaraderie hung over us.  There was the smell of sunscreen, the band T-shirts people wore were unruffled and the glow sticks and flags were as yet unwaved.  It was a peaceful, good natured way to travel to a gig.

So, we got to the venue, the band came on and the party got started.  Everyone waved their hands in the air and sung along with full gusto.  Flags, banners, glow sticks, T-Shirts and assorted inflatable toys were waved to and fro.  Whistles were blown and feet were stamped and everyone spirits were raised to heights you don’t often see in your day-to-day life.  It was a good evening and when the house lights came up at the end people made their way to the exits with beaming smiles on their faces and tired bodies from their exertions. 

We all begun the long slow shuffle out of the venue and to the underground station, but things felt markedly different to the atmosphere on the way in.

First of all my feet and legs ached from the hours of standing and dancing, but the tiredness was tempered by the euphoria of the concert and the good cheer around me.  As we walked along pockets of singing broke out that rippled up and down the crowd until we were all singing along without musical accompaniment.  It would gradually taper off only to start up again elsewhere. 

As we passed policemen on their horses or the officers stood to one side, the crowd would interact with them in a friendly way.  The horses would be patted and the mounted officers would wave their arms as if conducting us as we sang.   The standing policemen would smile and acknowledge our good wishes, whilst of course keeping a beady eye out for any trouble.  Thankfully there was none that night.

At one point we were asked to stop and wait as the train platform emptied out and again singing broke out all around me.  One member of the station staff joined in through his megaphone and encouraged singing and banter.  Someone in the crowd had a birthday that day and told the man with the megaphone.  He asked us to sing happy birthday and within seconds we all were bellowing out the song and best wishes to the lucky person.  What a way to celebrate your special day!!

Wembley Stadium

 We finally got to the station and squeezed our way onto the waiting train.  Unlike getting on a train during the commuting rush hour no-one minded squeezing in and there was laughing and friendly comments as we moved further into the carriage and made way for the other passengers.  Someone had their ipad with them and put on some music from the band we had just seen and as the train clattered away we were all reliving the concert and smiling amongst ourselves.

There was much more chat between us, than on the journey in, as we made our way through the dark tunnels.  Unlike on the way there we all knew we had just come from the same concert, so we had a shared bond.  There were many mildly drunken conversations, but nothing intimidating or offensive and the alcohol had only lowered inhibitions, not encouraged the odd flare up as I have seen in the past.  It was funny to watch one woman, who had obviously had a few, move around and talk to people.  Sometime she would alight upon someone who hadn’t been at the gig and she was just as good natured and friendly.  It was very funny to see and added to the humour of our homeward journey.

There is also a distinct London vibe you get travelling on the underground late at night after a concert.  The tube is distinctive in itself and there is such a wide variety of people in London that the mix is fascinating.  You’ll see people in suits and skirts coming out late from work, people in tuxedos and dresses on the way home from the opera, merry concert goers like ourselves and at one point on our journey some people from a Hyde Park ‘festival’ joined the fray.  The clash of dresses, glow sticks, suits and DKNY wellies from the chic day festival crowd made for an unusual, but happy mix. 

There was a sense of camaraderie amongst all of us, as we had all been to our respective venues and enjoyed ourselves.  We all had that post-gig glow regardless of where we had been and with good spirits we happily chatted and mixed.  You’d never see that during the day on the tube where staid, grey faces glare out disapprovingly from behind broadsheets at the slightest murmur or laugh from a fellow travelling companion.  It made for a pleasant change.

We finally reached our station and stepped out of the train and clambered up the stairs, leaving the remaining people to make their weary, but happy way down the line.  The crowd thinned out as we made our way to the exit and by the time we had reached the car you could only see the odd dying glow stick wave it’s way through the carpark. 

The difference between the freshly pressed expectant crowd at the start and the dishevelled, tired, but euphoric crowd at the end was really noticeable and it just goes to show what a unique experience a concert is.  Music can bond people in a way not normally seen in everyday life and is just one of the many reasons I love it so much.  The music aside, you’ll go home covered in sweat and mud, aching from limb to limb, jostled on a train whilst being bombarded by music, you’ll happily mix with drunks and you’ll think it was totally worth it. In fact, it even added to your enjoyment!  It’s not often that you’ll say that whilst travelling around London and I’m even looking forward to the next time it will happen.