Korpiklaani in the UK and how do you handle gigs?

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Korpiklaani tour dates for April 2016. I like Korpiklaani and my fellow aspie girlfriend adores them.

I thought I'd give people a head's up while at the same time seeking advice.

I haven't been to a gig in over five years--way before my late diagnosis--and at that time I was not in autistic burnout. I'm buying her a ticket for her birthday and buying her other partner, my flatmate, a ticket to pay back what I owe him (we're polyamorous).

At first I said I wouldn't go because I didn't think I could do it. Now I'm thinking "this is in April and they are awesome in my opinion; she'll love it if I go". So I'm set to just buy myself one too. If I freak out at some point between then and now, I can gift my ticket to another friend.

Do you have any advice for how to cope with it? The biggest gig I've been to was probably Rammstein and that was insane. I was drunk so handled it. I don't think I should use alcohol as a crutch this time.

What are the best ear protecting products? Ranging from cheap to moderate as I'm not all that rich, I'm just due money from the government in the form of back payments.

Should I stay at the back and let everybody else go where they want? I don't particularly like that idea as I'd like to be with my girlfriend.

What is the etiquette for removing yourself from a crowd if you are going to have a panic attack, meltdown, or shutdown, or if you're going to faint from heat? I've forgotten, if I ever knew in the first place.

How do you handle it?

I enjoy Korpiklaani quite a bit, though have not seen them in concert, I went to a concert they played at but was late so missed them and just saw the other bands. I suppose when I get to overwhelmed at a concert I usually go use the bathroom or go outside and smoke a cigarette, or just getting out of the main crowd for a while helps.

Also nothing wrong with staying in the back rather than up front where most people will be concentrated, are you sure your girlfriend would want to be in the crowd? I know when I go to concerts I usually try and find spots with some room even if it is further back. That said I have gone to lots of concerts, quite a few crowded ones and I've never had a panic attack or anything even though I have anxiety issues.

Also though perhaps its not good to use alcohol as a crutch, but not sure how one goes to a Korpiklanni show and doesn't drink at all I would find it very hard not to have at least a beer with some of their lyrical content

My girlfriend tends to push herself a little harder than I think is healthy at times. Then again, although we are not strangers, I could be simply misunderstanding her limits. I'm pretty sure she's going to want to be as close as possible to the band. She's met them a couple times. It's really cute how enthusiastic she gets when she tells me this. I think she was also able to meet the guys from Finntroll. She sung for somebody in a band (may not have been either of those two) and they slyly recorded it and put it on their blog. If I had the address handy I'd share the link.

Either way, music is a massive deal to her, as are Korpiklaani so I can see her going to all sorts of lengths which will leave her exhausted later. My poor Harley Quinn. (ugh, I'm so soppy)


I've found out the venue really isn't that big so I won't have too far to go to get out of any one area. Another great thing is that our mutual friend says she may very well come along to be my bodyguard since she's listened to Korpiklaani and enjoyed them. An absolutely unprompted offer. I was really touched.


Ahaha, you're right on the booze. I'm sure I'll have at least a pint. Just trying to make sure I don't go full viking and wind up trying to conquer the bathrooms or something equally insane.


My favourite song is "Ämmänhauta" https://youtu.be/co0A3vT-6-k, but I don't know how likely it is that they'll play it? I'm new to them.


Thanks for the response.

Drugs. Wether it is performing or seing a performance. Naturally I stopped performing or going to see performances as this isn't sustainable if it is something you do often.

I can still go see an orchestral work but I usually know the music and there is enough stimulation and brain work that I am too busy trying to hear everything.

I love orchestras. I'm sorry to hear that you can't perform any more. That must be upsetting.