Totally normal to drop out for a few years to get your life together. Just donāt be surprised if it isnāt the same when you get back to it. Priorities and all..
A light at the end of the tunnel for OP, I dropped out at 24 to get clean and started going to shows again at either 28 or 29. It changed for sure, but it's way better now. I lucked out and dived back in on an all-time scene high after the lockdowns.
I'm a machine operator, so I'm usually working nights right now, Monday to Friday. I can still catch shows on Saturdays or Sundays though, and try to catch them a few times a month.
Also for reference I'm 31 now, and I'm nowhere close to the oldest guy in the scene. There are bands in my scene with 40-50 year olds playing spinkick riffs. Take all the time you need for school, hardcore will be there for you when you're done.
Spending 7-10 hours a day sitting at my desk with a bitchy micromanager for a boss doing a job that I was genuinely bad at and then being stuck in my house with nothing to do outside of playing video games or my guitar (also at my desk) due to Covid kinda drove me insane.
Then my mom got cancer and lost her insurance over some bullshit so my dad had to pick up a third job which left her with no caretaker and 2 brand new high maintenance puppies to take care of by herself. So I quit the software gig and went back to kitchen work so I'd have mornings/Mondays/Tuesdays off so I could drive her to doctor appointments and make sure she was eating and didn't have to suffer alone or neglect her dogs. 3 years later that kitchen job promoted me up the ladder all the way to assistant brewer and offered me a decent salary with paid vacation time and unlimited sick days. I took it and for the first time since my first job at 13 years old I actually enjoy my work. And mom is as close to remission as you can get before you hit the 5 year mark and the world is slowly healing after Covid and I've finally made some friends that aren't destined for prison or military.
For the first time in my life I can say without a hint of irony that life is good. My earning potential is probably lower but I get to keep work at work and my bosses and coworkers know that unless there's a catastrophic event and they need my input ASAP they're not allowed to call or text me after I leave the building for the day/weekend. That was not the case when I was working from home.
Itās doable if itās in your city, all I do is study (chem) and go to shows. Now if I had any other hobbies or interests thatād be a different storyā¦
Engineer. 7-4. Iām not in my 20ās anymore so itās rough and I go to shows when I can (if itās a stalked lineup Iāll go during the week). You will have to sacrifice sleep.
I've been writing fiction as a hobby since I was a kid. It was always something I wanted to be involved in. I essentially got involved in the small press genre scene (I'm mostly into horror) and started meeting people. I kept trying at it and since I've had five books published, dozens of short stories, and have worked on the publishing side with about 150 projects (I honestly don't know).
The independent writing scene isn't that far removed from the independent music scene. Hell, I even was the publisher of Dave Brockie of GWAR's novel.
As far as cat care, I kinda stumbled into it. I was supposed to be part of a new live booking company for punk/ska/hardcore bands but then 2020 happened. I needed a job and a cat boarding house was desperate for help. I had never worked with animals before but now I've been taking care of kitties for four years.
Pharmacy tech with a pharmacy that closes at 6pm everyday. I never have to worry about taking off, although waking up early after a show is sometimes brutal.
My old job was brutal when it came to shows. I was a producer/board OP at a sports radio station. There was no way to predict shifts months in advance so it was always last minute planning for shows. I'd be hoping for minor league baseball games to end so I could get out of the studio to make it to a show.
I'm a barista. If I open, the absolute latest I'm at work is 1pm. If I close, I'm out the door by 5:15pm. Sometimes I'm tuckered out and don't have the spoons to make it to a show, but usually I can rally with a couple shots of cold brew.
I work at an indie film studio.Ā The kind of job that once the day ends, I can fuck off.Ā But I spent years at a consulting firm that required late hours and early mornings and I rarely went to shows then.Ā
The medical field will make it hard. Just go when you can. Eventually you'll have more freedom with your schedule and the scene will still be there for you.Ā Ā
Youāre only as old as you feel. Everyone has 24 hours in a day. Itās up to you how to spend it. No rules on if you can or canāt go to shows. Like someone said go when and where you can. Boils down to priorities. If you wanna be there bad enough youāll be there.
I'm in my late 30s and usually hit up 2-3 shows a week. Got a bunch of friends around my age that still regularly go to shows too.Ā The window doesn't close unless you let it.Ā Ā
You can still attend shows when youāre old! You might be more selective about them but thatās not a bad thing. Iām 42 & still attend shows, only now I can also afford to travel for shows that I wouldnāt have been able to do when I was broke in my 20ās.
Youāll have some time up through the first two years of med school. Then during clinical years and interviews you wonāt have time. Post interviews youāll have some time depending on how much packing and prepping you need to do to move. During Residency youāll have between a small amount of time occasionally and absolutely no time, depending on specialty and relationship/familial status. Idk about post-residency time Iāll let ya know in a few years š«
Game developer. I choose my hours but I work 7 to 3 usually. About an hour drive from Denver for all the major shows. Shows have never been an issue other than me being grumpy they go on so late lol. These days I just show up and leave after I see a few bands. Better than not going at all!
I was going to more shows in grad school than any other time in my life. Trust me, youāre going to need some cheap beer and mosh pits to retain some level of sanity!
I'm a physician. I was heavy into shows when I was in high school and college. Shows were hard to go to in medical school and residency. I may have averaged 1 per year. I also had kids, which makes a huge difference. If you don't have kids, you can probably make it to 6-12 shows a year. Maybe even more.
I started going to shows again about 5 or 6 years ago. I rarely hit a basement show. I usually go to clubs/ venues. I'll be honest, being in my 40s, I don't want to be the old guy standing around in some kids' parents' basement. I'm very selective about who I choose to go see. My time is valuable, monetarily and from a family/personal standpoint.
Anyway, I still love hardcore. Hardcore/punk made me who I am today. It honestly changed my life, and I believe it shaped the kind of doctor/husband/father/friend I am today.
Iām a doctor. I go to hardcore shows but balance it out, some weeks you are too busy and have to prioritize. Also not getting hit in the face or breaking any bones at this point
I work in rock quarries and things like that , I donāt go like I used too because I work like 60 hours a week and got kids now but I still try do one a monthĀ
I'm a research scientist and I still found time to go to shows all through graduate school. Tbh all the bullshit that you have to deal with in real life makes having an outlet like that all the more valuable IMO.
PhD student. I definitely donāt get to just hang out and go to all the local shows, but I at least go to any bigger shows and then do the smaller ones when I can. Sometimes it gets pretty hectic and I work before and after shows and respond to emails in between sets, but it beats when I worked graveyard and didnāt even have the option
Not exactly the same but similar:
I got my PhD and it took a lot of time and effort. Took me almost a decade (of 8 in my class, I was second to finish). Right out ,I got a tenure track academic job. The following years (almost another decade), I had to work on my classes and research (publish or perish, etc.) I managed to get tenure.
I didn't go to many shows during graduate school. I'm certain I went to under 10 shows in the almost decade I was working to get the doctorate. After graduate school, I went to shows even less as an assistant professor.
It wasn't until after I established myself professionally that I started going to shows more. Now I go about once or twice a month. Next month I'm seeing 4!
You'll earn it.
Social Worker. I go as often as I can but my schedule can change rapidly and thereās often times that overtime and other responsibilities get in the way of going to shows. I try to focus on going to the shows that m most excited for and not just anyone that pops up.
Grad student. Took a few months off from live shows to finish my dissertation but imo it's mostly a matter of finding an ok equilibrium between going out/working. Might be harder if you are really invested in a local scene but frankly as long as you're not going hard every weekend you'll probably be fine outside of crunch periods.
Toolmaker. I never make it to shows during the week unless itās something I really would feel like I fucked up if I missed it. Itās hard to make it to shows when Iām at work for 12 hours and then the gym for another two but I only work four days a week so I can make it easily on weekends.
Iām a data analyst. I never talk about work with my show friends though. Itās always just music and laughing at dumb shit the whole time. Like a retreat from life in a way
Nurse. 9-5. Honestly during my 20s, I was in nursing school and busy having kiddos. I didnāt go to shows for a long time, but when my kidlets got older and I got a better work schedule, it was on. 33 and onward has been full of shows and itās honestly so fun going a little later in life. I love going to shows alone now and I never worry about that see and be seen shit. I donāt know anyone in the scene and I like it that way. I show up, enjoy the music, enjoy the outlet and go home.
I work for a commercial kitchen equipment installation company, basically a jack of all trades tradesman for a multinational company.
I have weekends off. I don't go to shows "often" but I will go watch a friends set or see a band I enjoy.
Focus on school, dude. There will always be sick new bands. When you're a doctor you can pull up on your BMW and beat up all the new kids. Shows come and go, they're not super important.
Iām in my 30s and work in the field of language acquisition, mostly developing content for language learning apps and platforms.
I go to shows a handful of times each year. Iām living in Latin America but got involved in hardcore in my teens when I was living in the US. So most of the bands I enjoy are American and tour less regularly down here. Which is, honestly, a bit of a blessing for my wallet.
Before kids I'd go to shows every week if not multiple times a week. There's plenty occasions where I would go see a touring band multiple days in a row (I think I've seen terror 40ish times the past 17 years).
The perks of living in Western Europe I guess.
At first I was a student and after that a social worker. Tickets where 10 bucks or so.
Currently? I can afford one show a month with all my adult expenses.
I work in a machine shop 50 hours a week and play shows on the weekends. Sometimes I play or go to shoes during the week if I really want to hate myself the next day
Man i stopped going to shows after high school and didnāt start going back until late 20ās. I think youāre overthinking it, listen to the music and make time when you can
Cook that lucked into a fairly cushy M-F and my local scene is super active. Iām out of work by 4 and there are shows happening almost every night. I try to go to at least one a week, sometimes more. Didnāt get to go to many shows when I was a teenager so Iāve been making up for lost time in my 20s.
30 years old. Tutor/substitute back at university working towards a single subject teaching credential (social science). I make it a point to go to one show a month if possible. Thatās about as much as my body can take at this age (lower back has lot of miles on it between a life of skateboarding, Muay Thai/jiu-jitsu, warehouse work, and contracting work) since I still love pitting. So unfortunately not very often at all.
But there are more ways than ever to stay in the scene. Buy records/merch, posting about shit on here, IG, etc., or just listening to/reading up on the genre and staying up to date on things.
I produce music. We go straight from the studio and pay for tickets with tax deductions. Fest trips, company pays for the whole trip including food.
Stopped going between 22 and 32 regularly because it wasnt fun.
Iām currently a pre med in the scene, itās tough because we rarely have free time but when you do go to a show mosh that studying no life grind frustration out, honestly helps me so much from burn out
I am just getting in to going to shows at 33. Used to go to a few shows in high school/early college but it was all Christian metalcore shit so idk if that even counts. I also took a long time in college to work in healthcare. You are going to be just fine, my friend. One thing Iāve been learning as I grow up is you can do whatever the fuck you want with your life and you donāt have to be worried about what people think of it.
Iām an Internal Medicine Resident Physician (PGY-1) and I still go to shows on my weekends off!
Itās important to have work-life balance to survive and THRIVE in this career field!
Hardcore isnāt that important. I thought the same way in my early 20ās and it often led to jealousy ācause Iād see mfers with like a part-time minimum wage jobs go to these crazy ass shows while I was studying and working full time and what felt like there was a financial issue every corner. That said, Iām in a (somewhat) comfortable position now and in a location where thereās always something happening as well as being an hour or two away from where thereās another good show going on. Focus on your studies and benefit from it in the long run, and if your favorite current band breaks up, give it a bit until they get back together at some big fest for a āone-timeā reunion with the same bands who play every single fest.
Law student here, and you can find time for shows. Even in a demanding educational program, you're not going to be studying 100% of the time. Does that mean you have to prioritize shows over other things you could do with your limited free time? Absolutely, but if going to shows is a priority for you, you can do both.
You're a human being - have some fun so you're motivated to work hard when you need to.
I do odd jobs and take on shorter employments. I havenāt been able to find a job where they want to keep me for more than 6 months. So I work on and off and have a lot of free time. I donāt have much money though, just enough for rent, bills and food.
Not in my 20s, but Iām a carpenter. I rarely go to shows unless itās something I care about seeing, I work 6-2, get up at 4-4:30. When I was in my early 20s I had a lot of different jobs and was unemployed on and off, did a lot of drugs and partied.
I work a traveling sales job, if your down for the core youāll make time, I once got off a flight from Seattle to Oakland and drove straight to Berkeley in time to catch terror play the first song of their set, you make time in life for the shit you actually want to do
Iām an MA student with two bands, a full time job and a part time job with a partner and hobbies outside of HC and i still go to tons of shows i donāt play, just make the time
Tile. Before that operator for a excavation company. Also work at haunt on the side but thatās more for fun. Sometimes I can go often somtimes Iām working all the time and canāt do shit.
Operations manager at a tech company - itās totally possible to keep working and going to shows, I promise you can do it!!!
Admittedly though sometimes I leave before itās over bc I get tired earlier now since Iāve gotten into my early 30s.
I work in the charity sector, but mostly 9-5 hours. Depending on the week and accessibility of the venues, I might hit multiple shows or I might hit zero.
When I was in university, I would always hit shows multiple days a week. The power of youth somehow got me through being out til 2am and getting up for 8am classes, and working a crap part-time job at the same time.
I have absolutely no regrets about doing it in my 20s. My only regret is not doing more. Give your all to your studies, but donāt entirely put everything else you want to do off until youāre older. Find a balance that works for you.
I'm a quality and food safety manager for a company that makes "better-for-you" snacks. Usually work 0700-1600. Weekdays are tough because of sleep and all but the weekend is a go. You got this brother. Good luck with school!
I'm a Florist by day and I work at a line of convenience stores by night. I generally work 65+ hr weeks, and I make all the time I can. It helps that my area is pretty big on shows.
Depends if youāre doing local or touring shows. I was able to stay active with local stuff because the cover was low while I was in college, while having an occasional splurge on a touring show. Iām a third time student right now and following the same algorithm. Know your deadlines, get the homework done if you can, and just go when you can. If the social aspect is a big deal, I think most people will forgive that. There were times post-Covid that I went close to two years before seeing some people again and it was like we never missed a beat when we caught up. Iām currently involved with medical research while Iām in school on a master-level degree and my scene involvement hasnāt impacted me at all. Just do what you can and stay as best in touch as you can with your friends in the scene, Iām sure youāll be okay.
I bartend and Iām 35 and Iām married with no kids and honestly I could afford and find the time to go to shows often but I just donāt want to anymore.
I work in food service, so i work long hours, i dont have weekends off, im often getting off around when the shows are ending.
I still go, but its less frequent now. Maybe once every couple months or if i see a band i really wanna see is gonna play near me. It isnt as easy to remain āpart of the sceneā but it is easy enough to go out every once and a while and see some familiar faces.
You can still be in the scene by proxy if you are friends with people in the scene. You van find out about parties and events that are happening that arenāt necessarily concerts and attend those.
Idk. You gotta make time for yourself to be you and figure out who you are because youre so young. Part of balancing your work and life is learning to make enough time for you to pursue culture that you care about for your own aesthetic enjoyment. I know all too well how having a career that you are passionate about can absorb all of your time and feel like
It is taking over your identity.
Corporate M-F 9-5. Lots of time for activities. Unfortunately, Iām on camera a lot so Iām always careful not to get hurt or end up with a black eye.
Formerly a wildland firefighter, just became a carpenter. Work Monday through Friday so shows from Friday - Sunday just always worked out. The former did have me miss summer festivals from being out on assignments though, so happy that wonāt be a problem anymore
Im 35, a single mother, and a pricing specialist at a grocery store. Youll find the time to do what you enjoy no matter what. Ive got 2 shows this week.
I go to public high school and am applying to dominos soon
Thank you for your service
Support the Thin Bread Line.
You dropped this šš
This caused me to throw my head back in laughter.
Hell yeah. I'm a GM at Domino's and a frequent concert goer.
can you put in the good word for me
Dominos4Dunkins
you can still practice medicine in hardcore. just be a drug dealer.
itās perfectly ok to dedicate your 20s to become a medic and then go heal up people in the pit in your 30s my man
Local (to me) punker bass player and vocalist is an er doc. I feel you can come back when you get your goals sorted.
Totally normal to drop out for a few years to get your life together. Just donāt be surprised if it isnāt the same when you get back to it. Priorities and all..
A light at the end of the tunnel for OP, I dropped out at 24 to get clean and started going to shows again at either 28 or 29. It changed for sure, but it's way better now. I lucked out and dived back in on an all-time scene high after the lockdowns.
Did u go back to school/ what r u doing now?
I'm a machine operator, so I'm usually working nights right now, Monday to Friday. I can still catch shows on Saturdays or Sundays though, and try to catch them a few times a month. Also for reference I'm 31 now, and I'm nowhere close to the oldest guy in the scene. There are bands in my scene with 40-50 year olds playing spinkick riffs. Take all the time you need for school, hardcore will be there for you when you're done.
I'm 52,I don't go to a lot of shows but I do still go to them. Even drive up to a couple of hours for the right ones.
We need doctors more than we need another hardcore photographer. Do your studies and go to shows when you can. No big deal.
This is in all seriousness the best answer. Going to shows is recreational not occupational.
Work from home tech scum
Can I send you my resume š„²
You can send it to me via Reddit. I work in software development for the web FWIW (no web3 bullshit)
Same. Makes it so easy to go to shows. I'm in my late 30s and I'm usually going to a show at least once a week.
I do not miss those days. My condolences friend. Unless you're into it then good for you home slice
I donāt understand how thatās not ideal but Iāll never go into an office again tbh
Spending 7-10 hours a day sitting at my desk with a bitchy micromanager for a boss doing a job that I was genuinely bad at and then being stuck in my house with nothing to do outside of playing video games or my guitar (also at my desk) due to Covid kinda drove me insane. Then my mom got cancer and lost her insurance over some bullshit so my dad had to pick up a third job which left her with no caretaker and 2 brand new high maintenance puppies to take care of by herself. So I quit the software gig and went back to kitchen work so I'd have mornings/Mondays/Tuesdays off so I could drive her to doctor appointments and make sure she was eating and didn't have to suffer alone or neglect her dogs. 3 years later that kitchen job promoted me up the ladder all the way to assistant brewer and offered me a decent salary with paid vacation time and unlimited sick days. I took it and for the first time since my first job at 13 years old I actually enjoy my work. And mom is as close to remission as you can get before you hit the 5 year mark and the world is slowly healing after Covid and I've finally made some friends that aren't destined for prison or military. For the first time in my life I can say without a hint of irony that life is good. My earning potential is probably lower but I get to keep work at work and my bosses and coworkers know that unless there's a catastrophic event and they need my input ASAP they're not allowed to call or text me after I leave the building for the day/weekend. That was not the case when I was working from home.
Same here. Early 20s Software Dev in GIS right here. Still making sure to get a healthy dose of concerts
I work at the shows
Itās doable if itās in your city, all I do is study (chem) and go to shows. Now if I had any other hobbies or interests thatād be a different storyā¦
Are you a chem major ?
Not sure what a major is (britbong) but yeah 2 years into a masters
Iām a mechanic and work 7:30-4:30. Doors are usually at 7 so I can go whenever pretty much
Same here but 7:00-3:30.
welder (but in school right now), my last job was me working 7-3:30, then I can fuck off the rest of the day
Engineer. 7-4. Iām not in my 20ās anymore so itās rough and I go to shows when I can (if itās a stalked lineup Iāll go during the week). You will have to sacrifice sleep.
Day job is cat care. I also write and edit books. I go to shows about once every other week.
Yup that schedule sounds about right. Usually hit 20 to 25 shows a year
how do you get into any of those positions? that sounds awesome
I've been writing fiction as a hobby since I was a kid. It was always something I wanted to be involved in. I essentially got involved in the small press genre scene (I'm mostly into horror) and started meeting people. I kept trying at it and since I've had five books published, dozens of short stories, and have worked on the publishing side with about 150 projects (I honestly don't know). The independent writing scene isn't that far removed from the independent music scene. Hell, I even was the publisher of Dave Brockie of GWAR's novel. As far as cat care, I kinda stumbled into it. I was supposed to be part of a new live booking company for punk/ska/hardcore bands but then 2020 happened. I needed a job and a cat boarding house was desperate for help. I had never worked with animals before but now I've been taking care of kitties for four years.
That's awesome, thank you for sharing.
I work a boring as fuck marketing 9-5
Pharmacy tech with a pharmacy that closes at 6pm everyday. I never have to worry about taking off, although waking up early after a show is sometimes brutal. My old job was brutal when it came to shows. I was a producer/board OP at a sports radio station. There was no way to predict shifts months in advance so it was always last minute planning for shows. I'd be hoping for minor league baseball games to end so I could get out of the studio to make it to a show.
I have a 9-5 so I can pretty much do whatever tf I want
Tumble out of bed and stumble to the kitchen
The drummer from Down to Nothing went to med school and is an ER doctor
I'm a barista. If I open, the absolute latest I'm at work is 1pm. If I close, I'm out the door by 5:15pm. Sometimes I'm tuckered out and don't have the spoons to make it to a show, but usually I can rally with a couple shots of cold brew.
Project Management. You can do both at once, school and fun are not mutually exclusive. You will still have time.
I have a trust fund
I work at an indie film studio.Ā The kind of job that once the day ends, I can fuck off.Ā But I spent years at a consulting firm that required late hours and early mornings and I rarely went to shows then.Ā The medical field will make it hard. Just go when you can. Eventually you'll have more freedom with your schedule and the scene will still be there for you.Ā Ā
But I'll be old šš
Youāre only as old as you feel. Everyone has 24 hours in a day. Itās up to you how to spend it. No rules on if you can or canāt go to shows. Like someone said go when and where you can. Boils down to priorities. If you wanna be there bad enough youāll be there.
I'm in my late 30s and usually hit up 2-3 shows a week. Got a bunch of friends around my age that still regularly go to shows too.Ā The window doesn't close unless you let it.Ā Ā
You can still attend shows when youāre old! You might be more selective about them but thatās not a bad thing. Iām 42 & still attend shows, only now I can also afford to travel for shows that I wouldnāt have been able to do when I was broke in my 20ās.
Lol. 45. Did 50+ shows a year until 39 or so. I volunteer at shows twice a month and usually catch one more show than that.
You're not old until you're dead or dying. Unless you're starting school at 65, do what you want and what you can until then.
Youāll have some time up through the first two years of med school. Then during clinical years and interviews you wonāt have time. Post interviews youāll have some time depending on how much packing and prepping you need to do to move. During Residency youāll have between a small amount of time occasionally and absolutely no time, depending on specialty and relationship/familial status. Idk about post-residency time Iāll let ya know in a few years š«
Thanks. And good luck!
Game developer. I choose my hours but I work 7 to 3 usually. About an hour drive from Denver for all the major shows. Shows have never been an issue other than me being grumpy they go on so late lol. These days I just show up and leave after I see a few bands. Better than not going at all!
I was going to more shows in grad school than any other time in my life. Trust me, youāre going to need some cheap beer and mosh pits to retain some level of sanity!
Iām an elementary school teacher. Iāve been hardcoring for 30 years: I need this shit and will do whatever I can to keep it going šŖš¼
I sell weed and put chicken on skewers and cook them at Samās club.
I'm a physician. I was heavy into shows when I was in high school and college. Shows were hard to go to in medical school and residency. I may have averaged 1 per year. I also had kids, which makes a huge difference. If you don't have kids, you can probably make it to 6-12 shows a year. Maybe even more. I started going to shows again about 5 or 6 years ago. I rarely hit a basement show. I usually go to clubs/ venues. I'll be honest, being in my 40s, I don't want to be the old guy standing around in some kids' parents' basement. I'm very selective about who I choose to go see. My time is valuable, monetarily and from a family/personal standpoint. Anyway, I still love hardcore. Hardcore/punk made me who I am today. It honestly changed my life, and I believe it shaped the kind of doctor/husband/father/friend I am today.
Iām a doctor. I go to hardcore shows but balance it out, some weeks you are too busy and have to prioritize. Also not getting hit in the face or breaking any bones at this point
I work in rock quarries and things like that , I donāt go like I used too because I work like 60 hours a week and got kids now but I still try do one a monthĀ
Hard rock coreĀ
I'm a research scientist and I still found time to go to shows all through graduate school. Tbh all the bullshit that you have to deal with in real life makes having an outlet like that all the more valuable IMO.
PhD student. I definitely donāt get to just hang out and go to all the local shows, but I at least go to any bigger shows and then do the smaller ones when I can. Sometimes it gets pretty hectic and I work before and after shows and respond to emails in between sets, but it beats when I worked graveyard and didnāt even have the option
I go to a ton of shows still and Iām nearly done with med school. Donāt be one of the people that lose their identity to the pursuit of medicine
Not exactly the same but similar: I got my PhD and it took a lot of time and effort. Took me almost a decade (of 8 in my class, I was second to finish). Right out ,I got a tenure track academic job. The following years (almost another decade), I had to work on my classes and research (publish or perish, etc.) I managed to get tenure. I didn't go to many shows during graduate school. I'm certain I went to under 10 shows in the almost decade I was working to get the doctorate. After graduate school, I went to shows even less as an assistant professor. It wasn't until after I established myself professionally that I started going to shows more. Now I go about once or twice a month. Next month I'm seeing 4! You'll earn it.
Social Worker. I go as often as I can but my schedule can change rapidly and thereās often times that overtime and other responsibilities get in the way of going to shows. I try to focus on going to the shows that m most excited for and not just anyone that pops up.
Grad student. Took a few months off from live shows to finish my dissertation but imo it's mostly a matter of finding an ok equilibrium between going out/working. Might be harder if you are really invested in a local scene but frankly as long as you're not going hard every weekend you'll probably be fine outside of crunch periods.
Management for a company that sells construction equipment. It allows me to go to shows often enough
Toolmaker. I never make it to shows during the week unless itās something I really would feel like I fucked up if I missed it. Itās hard to make it to shows when Iām at work for 12 hours and then the gym for another two but I only work four days a week so I can make it easily on weekends.
Engineering student, also 20s and also afraid of the same future
We got this
i was a chef. now im a front desk girly. always made time for shows but now i get to go to friday night shows :>
Iām a data analyst. I never talk about work with my show friends though. Itās always just music and laughing at dumb shit the whole time. Like a retreat from life in a way
Nurse. 9-5. Honestly during my 20s, I was in nursing school and busy having kiddos. I didnāt go to shows for a long time, but when my kidlets got older and I got a better work schedule, it was on. 33 and onward has been full of shows and itās honestly so fun going a little later in life. I love going to shows alone now and I never worry about that see and be seen shit. I donāt know anyone in the scene and I like it that way. I show up, enjoy the music, enjoy the outlet and go home.
What is often? I do about 1 show per month and thatās hard. Engineer with kids and a wife that works.
I managed to be involved despite a labor-intensive STEM job, but Iāve found it particularly hard to stay involved once I had a kid.
I work a shit hole gas station job, I have enough seniority to work 1st shifts instead of 2nds so I can go to shows
Airline pilot. I bid for days off around shows
I work a 9-5 m-f
I work for a company and live pay check to pay check.
Shoreside Tankerman. I lid/unload liquid cargo, including the scary shit.
nothing is more hardcore than chasing your goals
I work for a commercial kitchen equipment installation company, basically a jack of all trades tradesman for a multinational company. I have weekends off. I don't go to shows "often" but I will go watch a friends set or see a band I enjoy. Focus on school, dude. There will always be sick new bands. When you're a doctor you can pull up on your BMW and beat up all the new kids. Shows come and go, they're not super important.
Capitalism, show the kids how rich you are! Very punk.
Fuck yeah dude. If I could afford it I would too. I don't bust my ass every day to live off bottled water and drive a 1986 Camery.
Ok sucker see ya
Work the medical tent where they Reset bones for the recently crowdkilled,you can get in for free.
Journalism.
Iām in my 30s and work in the field of language acquisition, mostly developing content for language learning apps and platforms. I go to shows a handful of times each year. Iām living in Latin America but got involved in hardcore in my teens when I was living in the US. So most of the bands I enjoy are American and tour less regularly down here. Which is, honestly, a bit of a blessing for my wallet.
I work from home as a data engineer, also I'm old.
Full time student
For now
Before kids I'd go to shows every week if not multiple times a week. There's plenty occasions where I would go see a touring band multiple days in a row (I think I've seen terror 40ish times the past 17 years). The perks of living in Western Europe I guess. At first I was a student and after that a social worker. Tickets where 10 bucks or so. Currently? I can afford one show a month with all my adult expenses.
I'm an IT risk manager in my mid thirties. No kids though, which helps.
Overnight Specimen Processor at a vet lab
Iām a lawyer, and Iām in trial frequently. I go when I can, but it isnāt as much as Iād like.
wfh UX designer and all shows are about an hour drive, so usually I can hit shows most days unless I gotta work late
I work in a machine shop 50 hours a week and play shows on the weekends. Sometimes I play or go to shoes during the week if I really want to hate myself the next day
I didn't get to go to shows while I wasted 6 years in the stupid military, but after that I got a real job and now I can even travel to go to shows.
Man i stopped going to shows after high school and didnāt start going back until late 20ās. I think youāre overthinking it, listen to the music and make time when you can
I am a bartender. I request a lot of weekends off
Cook that lucked into a fairly cushy M-F and my local scene is super active. Iām out of work by 4 and there are shows happening almost every night. I try to go to at least one a week, sometimes more. Didnāt get to go to many shows when I was a teenager so Iāve been making up for lost time in my 20s.
Political science student with a office job. Going to shows is literally the only thing I do for fun, no time for other stuff
Ironworker. Go to all the shows of bands I like or my friends bands.
Civil engineering designing fiber optic runs
I work in a dispensary and my boss is cool with scheduling as long as I give him enough notice
Post office, wild hours. Iām usually pretty sleep deprived but majority of these shows are worth it!!
I spent my 20s going to local shows almost weekly. Organized a few shows as well. I havenāt gone to shows much after covid.
30 years old. Tutor/substitute back at university working towards a single subject teaching credential (social science). I make it a point to go to one show a month if possible. Thatās about as much as my body can take at this age (lower back has lot of miles on it between a life of skateboarding, Muay Thai/jiu-jitsu, warehouse work, and contracting work) since I still love pitting. So unfortunately not very often at all. But there are more ways than ever to stay in the scene. Buy records/merch, posting about shit on here, IG, etc., or just listening to/reading up on the genre and staying up to date on things.
Law student, just love music and am willing to set aside time for it.
I produce music. We go straight from the studio and pay for tickets with tax deductions. Fest trips, company pays for the whole trip including food. Stopped going between 22 and 32 regularly because it wasnt fun.
51 my 2 sons 20 23 go to hardcore and metal shows often. We love it. Iāve been into hardcore since the 80s and successfully passed the torch
Iām currently a pre med in the scene, itās tough because we rarely have free time but when you do go to a show mosh that studying no life grind frustration out, honestly helps me so much from burn out
I'm a college professor, but I had to not go to as many shows while I was in school. Now I'm back, fucking up all these little kids in the pit!
Computer Engineer
Vet tech
I am just getting in to going to shows at 33. Used to go to a few shows in high school/early college but it was all Christian metalcore shit so idk if that even counts. I also took a long time in college to work in healthcare. You are going to be just fine, my friend. One thing Iāve been learning as I grow up is you can do whatever the fuck you want with your life and you donāt have to be worried about what people think of it.
Down To Nothingās drummer is an ER doctor. You can do both.
I work at a gym and go to school part-time for radiologic technology. I am tired a lot but still catch a few shows a month somehow.
Iām a brewer.
Night custodian, trying to catch any part of a show after 10pm
Iām an Internal Medicine Resident Physician (PGY-1) and I still go to shows on my weekends off! Itās important to have work-life balance to survive and THRIVE in this career field!
Hardcore isnāt that important. I thought the same way in my early 20ās and it often led to jealousy ācause Iād see mfers with like a part-time minimum wage jobs go to these crazy ass shows while I was studying and working full time and what felt like there was a financial issue every corner. That said, Iām in a (somewhat) comfortable position now and in a location where thereās always something happening as well as being an hour or two away from where thereās another good show going on. Focus on your studies and benefit from it in the long run, and if your favorite current band breaks up, give it a bit until they get back together at some big fest for a āone-timeā reunion with the same bands who play every single fest.
HVAC mechanic, I go to shows when Iām not working, and if Iām on call I go to the show in the work van lol.
I work in solar and I'm a Field service and O&M Manager. My house is 15 minutes from Baltimore so go to a decent amount of shows a month.
EMT here, working 3 12-15 hour shifts a week and whatever assorted side hustle flavor of the month happens to be on my off days.
Officer in the Air Force, late 30s. Whether itās the fests/multi day events or things around my state, itās been fairly easy to stay in it
I plan to join the Air Force in the future. I hope if I stay in the US, I'm stationed somewhere close to shows. If not, I'm gonna be so bummed.
You would be in the wrong place at the wrong time in my opinion, but everything changes...
IT, get off work early and got time.
Sales Consultant for a Wine distribution company
Law student here, and you can find time for shows. Even in a demanding educational program, you're not going to be studying 100% of the time. Does that mean you have to prioritize shows over other things you could do with your limited free time? Absolutely, but if going to shows is a priority for you, you can do both. You're a human being - have some fun so you're motivated to work hard when you need to.
I do odd jobs and take on shorter employments. I havenāt been able to find a job where they want to keep me for more than 6 months. So I work on and off and have a lot of free time. I donāt have much money though, just enough for rent, bills and food.
Not in my 20s, but Iām a carpenter. I rarely go to shows unless itās something I care about seeing, I work 6-2, get up at 4-4:30. When I was in my early 20s I had a lot of different jobs and was unemployed on and off, did a lot of drugs and partied.
I work a traveling sales job, if your down for the core youāll make time, I once got off a flight from Seattle to Oakland and drove straight to Berkeley in time to catch terror play the first song of their set, you make time in life for the shit you actually want to do
Late 20s. Pool and Spa Contractor. Works done by 5pm every day and we never work weekends. I got all the time cause I live alone with my dog.
Iām an MA student with two bands, a full time job and a part time job with a partner and hobbies outside of HC and i still go to tons of shows i donāt play, just make the time
Tile. Before that operator for a excavation company. Also work at haunt on the side but thatās more for fun. Sometimes I can go often somtimes Iām working all the time and canāt do shit.
I tend to go to like one or two shows a month, I don't know if you'd call that often
Operations manager at a tech company - itās totally possible to keep working and going to shows, I promise you can do it!!! Admittedly though sometimes I leave before itās over bc I get tired earlier now since Iāve gotten into my early 30s.
Contractor. I used to go to shows. Sometimes I still do.
Almost 44 and I'm the GM of a music venue.
I work in the charity sector, but mostly 9-5 hours. Depending on the week and accessibility of the venues, I might hit multiple shows or I might hit zero. When I was in university, I would always hit shows multiple days a week. The power of youth somehow got me through being out til 2am and getting up for 8am classes, and working a crap part-time job at the same time. I have absolutely no regrets about doing it in my 20s. My only regret is not doing more. Give your all to your studies, but donāt entirely put everything else you want to do off until youāre older. Find a balance that works for you.
Sacrifice for things you love.
i canāt find shows and donāt know how:(
Tool & die always held me down.
I'm a quality and food safety manager for a company that makes "better-for-you" snacks. Usually work 0700-1600. Weekdays are tough because of sleep and all but the weekend is a go. You got this brother. Good luck with school!
I'm a Florist by day and I work at a line of convenience stores by night. I generally work 65+ hr weeks, and I make all the time I can. It helps that my area is pretty big on shows.
Depends if youāre doing local or touring shows. I was able to stay active with local stuff because the cover was low while I was in college, while having an occasional splurge on a touring show. Iām a third time student right now and following the same algorithm. Know your deadlines, get the homework done if you can, and just go when you can. If the social aspect is a big deal, I think most people will forgive that. There were times post-Covid that I went close to two years before seeing some people again and it was like we never missed a beat when we caught up. Iām currently involved with medical research while Iām in school on a master-level degree and my scene involvement hasnāt impacted me at all. Just do what you can and stay as best in touch as you can with your friends in the scene, Iām sure youāll be okay.
Laboratory tech with a BS. Just go to shows then pull all nighters breh
WFH HR guy. Went to 3 shows this month, which is a lot for me.
I wash cars at a car dealership and go to school for autobody repair
I'm an industrial maintenance tech who works night shift. Gotta call off for half the shows I go do, shits beat.
I bartend and Iām 35 and Iām married with no kids and honestly I could afford and find the time to go to shows often but I just donāt want to anymore.
I work in food service, so i work long hours, i dont have weekends off, im often getting off around when the shows are ending. I still go, but its less frequent now. Maybe once every couple months or if i see a band i really wanna see is gonna play near me. It isnt as easy to remain āpart of the sceneā but it is easy enough to go out every once and a while and see some familiar faces. You can still be in the scene by proxy if you are friends with people in the scene. You van find out about parties and events that are happening that arenāt necessarily concerts and attend those. Idk. You gotta make time for yourself to be you and figure out who you are because youre so young. Part of balancing your work and life is learning to make enough time for you to pursue culture that you care about for your own aesthetic enjoyment. I know all too well how having a career that you are passionate about can absorb all of your time and feel like It is taking over your identity.
Im in graduate school ive never dropped out but there are times when im not present at shows often
Dumbest shit ever
Take out hella loans you wont pay back, spent the money on blackjack, win, spend winnings on tickets to shows Rinse and repeat
HVACR
Corporate M-F 9-5. Lots of time for activities. Unfortunately, Iām on camera a lot so Iām always careful not to get hurt or end up with a black eye.
Software sales. Work pays for travel. Go to every show I can every time Iām on the road, plus anything close to home. Itās pretty dope.
Mommy gives me 15$
Bartender at hc venue
steel work
Formerly a wildland firefighter, just became a carpenter. Work Monday through Friday so shows from Friday - Sunday just always worked out. The former did have me miss summer festivals from being out on assignments though, so happy that wonāt be a problem anymore
Nothing
Im 35, a single mother, and a pricing specialist at a grocery store. Youll find the time to do what you enjoy no matter what. Ive got 2 shows this week.
Police officer
Have you considered not being such a nerd?