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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to not see music festivals as a teenage rite of passage?

236 replies

musemusemuse · 30/08/2026 19:59

to not understand the appeal of music festivals.

I hear that music festivals like Leeds are a right of passage for teenagers, I never went to one as a young teen myself and I don’t remember any of my friends going either. Is this a right of passage, did I miss out? Or AIBU to think they are not really a right of passage.

OP posts:
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11AndCounting · 31/08/2026 19:43

Adding "for context" is a rite of passage.

musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 18:21

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 16:08

Isittimeformynapyet · 31/08/2026 15:59

You got it!

Basically I get irritated by posters just trotting out the things that others say over and over.

I've shown you who I am - believe me 😉

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Mumsnet maybe isn’t for you

Isittimeformynapyet · 31/08/2026 15:59

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 15:57

The “context” of your post is that you have a serious and ongoing issue with what you regard as the overuse of “for context” on Mumsnet.

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You got it!

Basically I get irritated by posters just trotting out the things that others say over and over.

I've shown you who I am - believe me 😉

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 15:58

Isittimeformynapyet · 31/08/2026 15:56

Try reading the post without the "for context" though - it's exactly the same.

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The fact you don’t find the “context” useful @Isittimeformynapyet does not mean others won’t

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 15:57

Isittimeformynapyet · 31/08/2026 15:56

Try reading the post without the "for context" though - it's exactly the same.

Show quote history

The “context” of your post is that you have a serious and ongoing issue with what you regard as the overuse of “for context” on Mumsnet.

Isittimeformynapyet · 31/08/2026 15:56

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 15:53

I disagree

The poster was “adding” to her post by explaining the co text of her opinion on the matter

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Try reading the post without the "for context" though - it's exactly the same.

HorseandHeron · 31/08/2026 15:54

We used to go to the Rock Against Racism ones when I was a teen. But iirc, they were daytime events. We'd get the bus overnight from our home town to London or Manchester, spend all day at the festival, then overnight bus back. No camping. No drugs. No creepy men preying on girls under cover of darkness. I don't remember ever feeling threatened. They were a rite of passage but a very safe one.

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 15:53

Isittimeformynapyet · 31/08/2026 15:50

My point still stands.

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I disagree

The poster was “adding” to her post by explaining the co text of her opinion on the matter

Flamingojune · 31/08/2026 15:51

musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 08:54

I’m finding it interesting how some posters seem so defensive on this thread that they have resorted to attacking me personally because I am questioning festivals being a rite of passage. 😮

its so bizarre.

I think it's because you've made some very negative generalisations about the sort of people who go there, making direct comparisons to your own experience as a 16 year old who had to or chose to work full time

Isittimeformynapyet · 31/08/2026 15:50

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 15:49

That poster was giving the context to her view rather than the issue as a whole

Edited
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My point still stands.

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 15:49

Isittimeformynapyet · 31/08/2026 15:45

So many people adding "for context" lately. It doesn't add anything. The information that follows will have exactly the same effect without labelling it "context".

It's like people see it and think "ooh, that sounds clever. I'm going to use it as often as possible".

Sorry to use your post as an example - it's just getting so prevalent on here and I think people should be aware of the option not to use it anymore.

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That poster was giving the context to her view rather than the issue as a whole

Isittimeformynapyet · 31/08/2026 15:45

Changingforthisone66 · 30/08/2026 21:16

YABU. It might not be your experience but it's a perfectly reasonable thing for teens to enjoy. For context 1 of mine did, the other wasn't bothered. I love festivals. It's bateshit to dismiss because you're not interested.

So many people adding "for context" lately. It doesn't add anything. The information that follows will have exactly the same effect without labelling it "context".

It's like people see it and think "ooh, that sounds clever. I'm going to use it as often as possible".

Sorry to use your post as an example - it's just getting so prevalent on here and I think people should be aware of the option not to use it anymore.

Flamingojune · 31/08/2026 15:33

musemusemuse · 30/08/2026 20:56

yes, 300 plus ££

That alone means it’s not a rite of passage for many

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Nor is learning to drive

Newbutoldfather · 31/08/2026 15:12

@JuliettaCaeser ,

Why the Suez Canal of all places?!

I don’t think that there is any particular problem in crossing it.

JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 15:08

Also its rite not right. A right of passage is what you get if you are allowed to cross the Suez Canal a rite of passage is a formative event.

Backfrombright · 31/08/2026 14:41

I hear that music festivals like Leeds are a right of passage for teenagers,

who from?

Holidaymodeon · 31/08/2026 13:25

Feels like every post from op is just saying the same thing in different ways and fixated on the phrase rite of passage.

it’s not law / lore, but it’s something a lot of kids do, when they finish school, whether or not they drink.
equally a lot of kids don’t.

its not worth this much argument or doubling down, especially when later comments suggest op doesn’t have teenagers themself.

Grumpyoldcat · 31/08/2026 13:21

Think you mean rite of passage.

2BarbieOrNot2Barbie · 31/08/2026 12:17

Well me and one of my sisters did a number of music festivals in our teens and early twenties. My other sister and brother have never been. So I guess it’s really up to the person. I loved it and went with a big group of friends who I trusted and were sensible. This was before phones though and we just learnt not to take valuables and keep money etc with you at all times. Had a great time - would encourage a young person to go if it’s their thing but I don’t think it’s a must.

BringBackTheLight · 31/08/2026 12:10

FastFood · 30/08/2026 21:26

It's considered as a rite of passage because it's generally the first time kids are without their parents, they enjoy freedom, fun and consequences of their decisions, with other kids.
After that, for some of them it'll be college / uni, and a foot into early adulthood.
For some, it's music festival, for others it might be first ski trip, spring break, or a trip to South America during a gap year.

Kids are leaving childhood to get into adulthood, simple as that.

Edited

Exactly this.
1 of mine is a big live music fan and a musician, he's been to, and played at a good few festivals. He loves it, its a time (often the first time for many) to be independent, find your own feet and learn how to be, with consequences.

Child 2 is not remotely interested in live music, she prefers house parties with her friends which can also involve alcohol and it's associated fun/problems/consequences.

Both different but both exploring the world away from their parents.

metalmum15 · 31/08/2026 11:58

Surely the biggest rite of passage of all time is going down the pub when you’re 18 for your first legal drink 😆

allthiscarryon · 31/08/2026 11:43

A straw poll from friends whose teens went seems to be that they’re glad they went and got it over with but never again! The rain probably had a lot do with that.

CaptainThunderbreeches · 31/08/2026 11:37

A few people on here are getting weirdly aggressive and defensive about the OP's post. "Rite of passage" is a subjective term and it doesn't seem unreasonable to wonder why music festivals are seen as such. The reactions of the posters being aggressive (whether active or passive) probably reveal more about their characters or over-sensitivities than anything else.

WomanIsNotAFeeling · 31/08/2026 09:44

Tigerthebreadroll · 31/08/2026 09:30

I think you need to focus on what the definition of "rite of passage" is to make sense of it. Quote: a rite of passage is a ritual, ceremony, or significant event that marks a person's transition from one stage of life or social status to another.

Hopefully after reading that you understand why its a rite of passage. U can't go before you are 16 alone to Reading. U can when u have done your gcses. Lots of teenagers want to go and have a fabulous free experience with their mates without their parents and its kind of a controlled environment to do that in. Some kids dont want to and that's OK. Notintending to be rude but kind of seems like your own DC said they wanted to go, as its a rite of passage, and you dont get what a rite of passage means exactly ? Hope this helps and if they want to to - let them. They are not all drunk to enjoy it . It's a great life experience and if it sucks they can come home 🏡

Edited
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It's very easy to grasp the concept that a large-scale social event that a teenager can attend with their peers, post 16+ and often in conjunction with celebrating exam results and the end of compulsory schooling, that they weren't able to do without adult supervision prior to turning 16, might be viewed as a rite of passage by lots of people.

The OP's continued bafflement regarding this is curious.

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