Having attended gigs across Germany, Prague, Ibiza, and Ireland, Cece has clocked up ten concerts outside the UK. What started as a simple love of music has evolved into a lifestyle, as she regularly spends weekends exploring new cities around gigs, carefully budgeting around £300 per trip for travel, accommodation, and the experience itself.
Cece’s motivation for international gig-going began with her family roots and early travels. "I visited a lot of Europe as a child and enjoyed seeing new cities," she explained. "As I got older, I gained the confidence to travel more. My dad lives near Glasgow, and my family comes from Ireland, so travelling to gigs abroad felt quite natural."
The real turning point came in 2024 when IDLES, one of her favourite bands, announced their European tour dates before confirming any UK shows. Cece didn’t hesitate: "I decided to go to Berlin, a city that had long been on my bucket list. It felt like hitting two birds with one stone. Plus, it’s pretty cool having band merch with European dates rather than UK ones!"
This spontaneous decision led to one of her most memorable gig experiences ever. "Seeing IDLES in Berlin was unforgettable," Cece recalls. "We ended up at their afterparty at an incredible venue, and I actually got chatting with the band members. It was overwhelming but amazing."
Attending gigs abroad has also opened her eyes to cultural differences in audiences. "In Germany, crowds don't go quite as wild as back home, whereas Prague gigs explode into moshing almost immediately," she observed. "Ireland has some of the best crowds, hands down. I'm hoping to check out gigs in Italy and France next, as I've heard fantastic things about the crowds there."
Cece credits her gig tourism adventures with helping her discover new artists. Bands like Lies and Death Before Dishonour came onto her radar purely because of international gigs. And while some trips are carefully planned, others are entirely spontaneous. "For example, Malevolence are playing in Paris soon, and as I haven't been there as an adult, it's practically a done deal," she laughs.
Sometimes, these spontaneous adventures lead to unforgettable mishaps. "One time in Germany, we got stuck in traffic on the autobahn on our way to a gig," Cece recalls vividly. "After sitting there for what felt like ages, people started getting out of their cars, turning up their music, and having an impromptu party right there on the motorway. It turned a frustrating delay into one of my funniest and most memorable moments."
Another amusing moment was her trip to see Madness in Ibiza. "Our hotel room overlooked both the swimming pool and the stage," she explains. "The morning after arriving, I was rudely awakened by their soundcheck blasting through our balcony doors. At first, I was annoyed at losing my sleep, but then I realised I was essentially getting a private concert. So, I just grabbed a coffee, sat on the balcony in my pyjamas, and enjoyed the show."
For fellow music lovers considering their first gig abroad, Cece advises doing thorough research. "Look into the area well, try to travel eco-friendly where possible, such as by Eurostar or local public transport, and always carry cash, many European venues and restaurants prefer it."
Cece adds: "I always have multiple alerts set up on the www. Twickets.live app so I never miss tickets when bands I love announce gigs abroad. It takes the stress out of planning trips, especially when it's spontaneous, I know the minute tickets become available, and I’ll definitely be using it to grab tickets for my upcoming trips to Paris and beyond."
She also recommends Prague for affordability and Ireland for the unbeatable atmosphere. Despite the occasional hiccup, each journey is part of the adventure, summed up by Cece’s straightforward advice: "Just do it, it's always worth the adventure."