Leeds festival...

[Deeplysatisfied]

DD16 wants to go to Leeds festival this summer although I'm not sure. It's her 17th at the beginning of August and she's wanting the ticket as her present but still comes with a hefty price of £220. I just don't know how safe these festivals are with the type of stuff that goes on such as drugs, etc. DD would be going with a big group of friends all between 17/18 about 10 of them so she won't be alone. WWYD? She has been practically begging me since last year and assured me that she will be responsible but thes the type of girl that stays out all night partying so I'm not sure how far the trust goes with her. She's sensible but I think a festival for 5 days especially one as big and potentially dangerous is questionable. Has anyone had their DD/DS son attending? What are the pros and cons of this? I think being outdoors that long would be beneficial for her but I don't really know what to do especially with the price.

[Emochild]

Leeds fest has a drugs issue
It also has a drink issue

But then so do a lot of the big festivals

Personally I think they need to be experienced at handling themselves in a city centre at night

Are tickets for this year even still available? might be your get out clause

[Deeplysatisfied]

Yes tickets are still available. DD has been on many nights out in the city centre and she's been fine, I am aware of these even though underage it's not a regular thing just the odd occasion for friends birthday. It's the drinks and drugs that worry me but it's the same stuff that she could get on the streets right? I don't really want her going but she's so determined to be there and really wants to especially as it's her last summer with best friends before they go off to uni

[Peebles1]

My DD went last year, 17 yrs old. Yes, definitely lots of drugs and alcohol. They had their tent searched one night so beware.

She survived. And yes it's just the same stuff they can get in town anyway - but more freedom as not coming home later, I guess.

We had lots of 'talks' beforehand. You've gotta let them go sometime, is my attitude. Oh - and she lost her phone. Try and send her with an old one or something.

[bigTillyMint]

No idea about Leeds, but isn't it the sister to Reading? DD went there last year in a big group and had an absolute ball. They also made friends with the slightly older boys next door who seemed to "keep an eye on them" a bit. Definitely drugs and alcohol available, but DD and her friends said they were drug-free and didn't want to get too drunk because they had paid for their own tickets and didn't want to miss anything. They were there 4 days.

DD is used to going out and about with friends/parties, etc, so although it was a step-up, it wasn't an enormous step, IYSWIM. And I think the paying for the ticket herself made her value it more - could be similar with it being a birthday present?

I agree with Peebles.

[Brionius]

I went to Leeds a lot for a few years. Yes lots of drink and drugs, crowd mainly teens being foolish. But none of us came to harm and if you can have some sensible chats with her beforehand she won't either. Make sure she has plenty of clothes bin liners to keep them dry: my first Leeds festival, although I had a waterproof and wellies I didn't even remotely think about the logistics of getting wet and muddy for 11 hours a day!
She will have fun. If she's a decent group of mates they'll have fun together and look out for each other a bit. Have the friends been before?

[Brionius]

That should say clothes and bin liners

[Marmalade85]

Wow I remember when Reading festival cost £80. Yes lots of drugs and drink

[ExitPursuedByBear]

My dd is going. She has never had a night out in a city centre.

She is 16

[Emochild]

I think most 16 year olds would be out of their depth

Lots of talks about personal safety, not leaving your friends, not leaning a drink unattended, security (or lack of) how to take care of valuables etc needed

[Marmalade85]

Reading festival is full of 16yo teenagers who've just finished their GCSEs. Think teenagers are more interested in Instagram than drugs these days.

[Haffdonga]

Leeds seems a bit of a right of passage post GCSE results round here. It's packed full of 16 year olds. Ds has been for the last 3 years (since 16) and has declared they were the best days of his whole life ever. Now at nearly 20 has declared himself too old to go this year and that he'd feel ancient among all the little kids .

Yes there are drink, drugs, sex and everything you'd expect to happen when you put several thousand teenagers in a field together but frankly teenagers live in a world where these things exist and if they are going to do them they are going to do them anyway.

[houseeveryweekend]

Leeds fest has a big drink and drug problem yes HOWEVER its going to be alot safer than just going out in town etc because it is all enclosed and full of staff and police and paramedics. I went to this festival when i was 17 and did drink heavily but wasnt offered drugs although i assume lots of people there were on them. I didnt get into too much trouble although i had the mother of all hangovers on the way back. Ive never been back just because its horrendously uncomfortable camping there and everyone there is just out to get wasted. I prefer music festivals where you actually go and watch the music! But im glad i went. I cant actually see why anyone who isnt a 17 year old would want to go so perhaps its best to go when you are that age!

[badasahatter]

I took my 14 year old last year and the place was very lively! I was told my a friend's 20 year old that she was the right age to go. I'd let her go on her own at 16...just because she is sensibility personified but it would depend on who she took with her. She has a select number of friends who are all obsessed with music and if it was one of them I wouldn't flinch.

Part of this is knowing your own child, the crowd they are going with and then just making plans to ensure they know what they're up against and what they might need in case of emergency.

Considering the vast numbers of people who attend, unpleasant incidents above theft and noise, are relatively rare.

[Iwantagoonthetrampoline]

There are loads of groups of kids that sort of age, especially at reading / leads. They often seem to be having the most fun tbh. Just so excited to be free in a field with their friends for the first time. Really depends on your daughter and her group of friends whether you trust them to just enjoy it or whether they would seek out the drugs side of things (in which case they are just as likely to do so in a town). You can't take your own alcohol into the actual music area and the bars are as strict on id as anywhere else in there (plus expensive!), so if they are really into the music the opportunity to drink is lessened. I have heard of the security confiscating underage alcohol at the main entrances and in the campsites too. Most people who go to festivals are pretty friendly/normal, but worth just making sure they understand about sticking together and staying safe.

I went to Glastonbury with a group of girl friends at 16 - long long time ago. Don't know how the hell we persuaded our parents to let us go. This was pre mobile phones and when people could still jump over the fence so we were a lot more vulnerable I think. We still had a blast and no issues, no drugs and minimal alcohol. Been to many many festivals over the years and I have to say, although more expensive and commercialised, the improved security & facilities are worth it. Feels pretty safe these days :-)

[exWifebeginsat40]

Reading and Leeds have problems with public order. fighting, stealing and tent fires are commonplace. Leeds has been like a war zone on the last night for a few years. i wouldn't be overjoyed, but at 16/17 kids get to make up their own minds, pretty much.

ketamine and nitrous gas (whippits) are festival staples these days, even at the smaller festies.

[MurphysChild]

We live 15 miles from Leeds, LeedsFest is a right of passage for all sixteen year olds after their GCSEs round here. My DS went at 16 and 17 and had a ball, at 18 he went off to Kavos. Him and all his mates were fine.

[Moetandchandon]

Dd17 is wanting to go to Leeds with all her mates - girls and boys - this summer. I'm not thrilled about it but I'm hoping they will all look after each other and have a fab time.

[supadupapupascupa]

depends on who she goes with. i prefer reading to leeds because you can escape to the town centre. i've been to reading a few times, leeds once. at leeds i got caught in rioting, violence, toilet blocks ablaze, blood everywhere, riot police.....nowhere to escape to. not fun. reading every time for me. only take what you can afford to get pinched. but it's mainly about who she goes with. i've been alone due to flaky friends and that to be honest is dangerous.

[RainIsAGoodThing]

I went to most of the big festivals in groups from GCSE onwards, so 16.

I was discussing with friends today how sensible we all were much more sensible than we are now. No one got too wasted, no one took drugs, and I think it was mainly because we didn't have the money!

I don't have DC (yet! Fingers desperately crossed) but from my memory, at that age the atmosphere of places like Glastonbury, Leeds etc is intoxicating enough. I doubt she'll need much else as it'll be so exciting and new. She'll have an absolute ball. I think you should consider getting her the ticket.

[Haffdonga]

I've heard that the reputation Leeds has for violence and tent fires stems from incidents several years ago and that a massively increased but low key security presence has helped to clean it up. Apparently there is very little of that going on now (although still plenty of drugs and alcohol for those who choose to get involved).

This may just be what ds wants me to believe

[Deeplysatisfied]

Thanks all for your responses. Although I now agree it would be great for DD to go and think it would be a great experience I still don't think the price would be justified so I have decided if I can get a second hand ticket cheaper closer to the time I will buy her it otherwise she will have to miss out unfortunately

[Haffdonga]

Ancient Mother's Wisdom:
Leeds Fest is much more enjoyable if you have earned the ticket money yourself. It makes you value the experience more.

And if your teen actually manages to save up two hundred quid themselves, they might think very carefully whether they actually want to spend all their cash on a single weekend.

[bigTillyMint]

Totally agree, Haffdonga - my DD paid for herself last year and really made the most of it. She is now tossing up whether she is willing to spend the same this year

OP, could you agree to go halfers if she can earn some money herself?

[Deeplysatisfied]

DD was more than happy to pay for the ticket herself but was the company she previously worked for went bust and she got laid off so hasn't got an income coming in although she is looking she hasn't heard anything back. She does earn little bits by babysitting for neighbours and cleaning out cars but will not be able to earn anywhere near enough by the time the festival comes

[MyballsareSandy2015]

My 15 year olds are talking about going to reading next year after GCSEs which is freaking me out so this is a timely thread.

Not worried about one of them as she's Saffy from Ab Fab but the other is far more likely to be drinking and trying all sorts.