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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:
Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:59

JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 08:58

Just seems a strange thread. Teens like to do different activities there’s no right or wrong.

Exactly
I guess if you’re bored, maybe this is the sort of thing you wonder about

JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 08:58

Just seems a strange thread. Teens like to do different activities there’s no right or wrong.

Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 08:56

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It’s up to you what you want to assume.😂

OP posts:
Original poster
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.

OP posts:
JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 08:53

Why is that interesting? Teens who are more introverted or don’t like camping or live music won’t want go. Fair enough. It’s not that deep as the kids say.

Why are you so combative it? You obviously have a massive chip on your shoulder about festivals!

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:53

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bababamama · 31/08/2026 08:53

I love them now in my 50’s and have never had any problems, also bike rallies, no issues. It’s not music festivals that are the issue, it’s just crap behaviour at certain ones, Glastonbury is bigger and doesn’t have the same level of crazy behaviour as reading

Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 08:51

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You seem to have made some very personally assumptions about me. Interesting.

OP posts:
Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 08:49

Interestingly it’s nearly 50:50 on the vote.

OP posts:
Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:48

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Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 08:47

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:30

Weird to be about cagey about your age 😆

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It’s also strange you are so keen to know my age as it bears no relevance to this or any questions you have asked.

OP posts:
ApplebyArrows · 31/08/2026 08:41

My instinct is that the last place I'd want to send a 16-year-old for their first solo overnight trip is a place full of other 16-year-olds, various slightly older kids, no organised adult supervision and limited facilities!

However clearly plenty of them manage it.

It's the slightly older ones being around that worries me most. A 19-year-old is old enough to know how to take advantage of a naive 16-year-old without necessarily being old enough to set off the creep radar. Obviously most of them won't try anything but at a big festival there's bound to be a few.

beaglescurleduplikebagels · 31/08/2026 08:31

I think they look horrendous - all the footage coming out of Reading this year is just grim.

I imagine it’s very different if you get glorious sunshine and dry fields but that’s very much a gamble I am not willing to take 😂

teaandtoastwithmarmite · 31/08/2026 08:31

I’ve been to a few from around the age of 22. Glastonbury twice, Leeds twice, V, Moseley folk festival, YNot. I wouldn’t say they’re a teenage rite of passage. My DD came to a couple with us from age 8 and she wants to go to Glastonbury. However she has friends who are not into music and wouldn’t be interested. I think it’s just something you do as you get older.

Pleasedontdothat · 31/08/2026 08:31

It is a rite of passage for many teenagers, but not for all … I went to several festivals as a teen/young adult and had a blast but when I asked dd if she wanted to go to Reading with her friends after GCSE results she looked at me as if I’d grown another head… she was very introverted and shy as a teenager, hated crowds, hated camping and wasn’t that keen on any of the headliners so I could see her point.

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:30

musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 08:19

Well I have a rough idea earlier on the thread.
basically too old to have gone to Leeds at GCSE’s because it didn’t exist then. I left school before 1998

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Weird to be about cagey about your age 😆

DeftGoldHedgehog · 31/08/2026 08:24

DD2 also pays me for her ticket. I buy it and pay in instalments, she pays me when the instalment is due.

DeftGoldHedgehog · 31/08/2026 08:22

It's fine if you don't like them, don't go. Others do and that's fine too.

DD1 isn't as into live music as DD2 at 17, and DD2 has probably been to more concerts and festivals than her 21 year old sister as she is really into that whole scene.

JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 08:22

Dd1 is there for free. She’s crew so does some shifts unpaid. Gets food vouchers and can camp in the crew area. Her friends done this for several festivals DDs first time doing it. You have to be 18 plus I would think.

WhatNextImScared · 31/08/2026 08:21

JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 06:51

Such an odd thread. Why the festival hate? Both mine are at Reading having an absolute blast. They both paid for their own tickets via their Saturday jobs. They better flipping bring my quite decent tent back!

Godspeed your tent 🤣

Make sure you get it cleaned though. There’s always that weird vinegar mud smell that permeates through everything by day 3. Feel nostalgic (and nauseous) thinking about that scent on canvas. Ha!

Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 08:19

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:14

so no teenagers

and you haven’t said how old you are

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Well I have a rough idea earlier on the thread.
basically too old to have gone to Leeds at GCSE’s because it didn’t exist then. I left school before 1998

OP posts:
WomanIsNotAFeeling · 31/08/2026 08:17

musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 08:07

I see a rite of passage as a ritual or action which indicates a transition from one stage of life to another.

i just don’t see how a festival does this? GCSE’s yes, a festival no.

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In what sense does a teenager's first weekend away with their peers and without parental supervision not fit the definition of "a ritual or action which indicates a transition from one stage of life to another"?

Bratf · 31/08/2026 08:15

It wouldn't be safe for DDs to go alone. There's every chance drink will be spiked and a man is probably unfortunately going to grope her in the crowd.

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:14

musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 08:04

Read the thread maybe.
i already answered

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so no teenagers

and you haven’t said how old you are

Lexy2345 · 31/08/2026 08:11

I’m an avid festival goer and have been since my teens although it’s a campervan now and not a leaky tent. All my kids enjoy various festivals too. It’s not a mandatory activity though, whatever your age and musical taste. You also don’t have to drink alcohol or take drugs to enjoy yourself, but a desire to experience live music in a crowd is imperative.