Are there any autistic people that enjoy crowds / concerts?

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Recently, I've been strongly considering an autism diagnosis for myself. The one thing holding me back from this diagnosis is the fact that I love general admission concerts, which is something that (as far as I've heard) most autistic people tend to dislike. I do avoid certain types of crowds, but when I'm at a general admission concert, I don't feel overwhelmed at all. In fact, I actually love the loud music and sometimes even the pressure of being tightly packed into a crowd of people with the same music taste as me. I'm wondering if there's anybody else on this website that enjoys loud music / general admission concerts.

I do.

who is holding you back from a diagnosis?

Just me. A lot of common traits that people on the spectrum have apply to me strongly, but there are also things that I don't experience, and I want to make sure I am 100% positive before I tell anybody that I think I'm autistic.

I did, from when I was your age until I was over the clubbing scene. I used to love the big general admission alternative music concerts. Then when I was old enough, I loved going to goth/metal/punk/alternative clubs and soaking in the loud music and crowds.

These days I'm not into it but I put it down to an ageing thing more than, say, not being aspie anymore

I'd say the important thing that you seem to be pointing out is that these concerts have YOUR type of music, and so it probably feels like "your crew". There's a comfort in that. And it can be enjoyable to be smooshed together with people who are "your people". If you felt the same at a concert with music you hated, and people behaving in a way that seemed alien to you, that might be more odd for an aspie, but from the way you've described it, I'm not surprised at all.

I enjoy concerts, but I need someone to latch on to while I'm there. I get very disoriented and overwhelmed otherwise

I would love to attend a tennis tournament, but I am anxious about crowds and possibly getting lost and disoriented. However, I won't let that stop me from living my dream.

I went to a Rolling Stones concert years ago and I really enjoyed being part of the huge crowd at BC Place.

It depends a lot on the band and the crowd they attract.

I attended a Peter Gabriel UP Tour concert in large stadium seating. The response from the crowd was mostly polite listening and very appreciative applause following songs. The whole thing was an amazing live production to.

Small standing room venue are iffy if it's crowded and people bumping into each other. There are some Electronic / Dance bands I enjoy listening to a lot, but unsure if I would attend a concert because the fans are really active jostling around and I'm just not a 'dance' person lol.

I love concerts whether it's a tiny club or a huge stadium. I'm so used to being around crowds in such situations that it doesn't really bother me. Sometimes I encounter people that are quite obnoxious but that's the risk you take when going to events like that. In general though, I have a good time when I go to concerts and the same applies to theatre shows, sporting events, talks and film screenings.

I'm okay with it being crowded in a big place like a concert hall or stadium. Something like crowded noisy little restaurant is something I can't stand.

I don't really enjoy being in large venues with lots of people around.

its not really about preference for me its about if i can handle it.

i remember before my diagnoses i would go to school dances and meltdown during them. i wouldn't understand it, i didnt connect lights and noises being too much and then suddenly crying and needing to leave and then feeling 'dreamlike'. i WANTED to go to a dance with my friends but, i could never stay in the gymnasium for long. it was all too much for me...

i guess im indifferent to crowds but i simply cant handle overstimulating environments,

I think it depends on the crowds and the venue. I went to an Owl City concert in Seattle and that was one concert I really enjoyed. It was in an auditorium with seating and the house lights were off. The auditorium was less than 1/4 full and everyone had their own seat and we all had plenty of personal space. I can't tolerate being in standing crowds or bleacher seating. I need my bubble space.

I love concerts. Crowds, not so much.

I'm ok with them personally. Being in a tightly-packed crowd can be a little anxiety-inducing if you're in the wrong frame of mind, but I enjoy live music to the point where I can tune it out (along with my tinnitus).