Tenner Week May 2016: Day 5
We’re into the home stretch for this Tenner Week challenge – how have you been getting on? Today we’re looking for some free or very cheap music or comedy to increase the fun factor.
While big name comedians and musicians tend to cost a lot of money to see on tour, there are lots of other options for keeping yourself entertained if you’re on a budget. Here are just a few ideas, and I’m sure you can think of plenty of your own as well.
- Attend free music festivals and recitals (have a look at local listings sites and message boards, there’s more going on than you might think)
- Watch a local busker if there’s some talent in your home town
- Apply for free tickets to promotional or sponsored music gigs – these can be in record stores, underground clubs, clothes shops and so on (get on the mailing list of your favourite bands & brands, and follow on social media)
- Join ShowFilmFirst – they regularly have free last minute tickets to comedy and music events
- See less famous or new acts – music venues and comedy clubs often have free nights earlier in the week, although you will probably be expected to at least buy a drink (find listings on local entertainment websites, in fanzines, and on comedy sites such as Chortle)
- Join in yourself – try an open mic night to test out your comedy material and nerve, or join in with a local open jam session (a nearby pub might have one on a Sunday)
- Read this site’s articles about how to find live comedy cheap or free, and how to find and enjoy live music for free or cheaply
- Download a free comedy podcast to enjoy while you’re on your way to or from work – there are hundreds of popular ones to try (not exactly live, but at least you aren’t plonked on the sofa in front of the telly)
Let me know if you have any other sources of free live music or comedy that you really rate.
What’s happening here
Last night I went out to see a couple of live bands (Father John Misty headlining), as we’d bought the tickets five months ago – I wouldn’t have rocked up and bought them on the night during a Tenner Week, promise! It’s important to use up what you already have, right?
That meant meeting Beau after work for a bite to eat, as he’s not doing the challenge himself this time around. We didn’t want a heavy meal anyway, and had a quick panini and coffee, plus a fruit salad to get up to my promised five a day. It was also my first gig without a beer for years. I might have mentioned a while back that another challenge I’m doing for May on top of the whole Jump Start 30 day challenge thing is a no booze challenge. Gig without beer, weird.
So that was bites to eat and soft drinks, which was most of the rest of my budget for the week gone. Enjoyed it though! So at least that’s value for money, right?
No telly was harmed watched in the making of this Tenner Week challenge blog entry.
Total TV watched this week: 2 hours and 19 minutes
Money spent yesterday: £7.68
Total spent this week: £9.57
How much have you spent so far? Any top tips for places to find free music or comedy, preferably live?
