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

We live about 10 minutes away from where Leeds fest is. For my kids at the schools in the close area it was a rite of passage thing, almost like an extension of prom. They didn’t camp at 16 because we’re so close, they did at 17/18 and haven’t been there since. My kids love a festival and have done Creamfields/Glastonbury since then. They wouldn’t even entertain Leeds now and they’re only mid 20’s

My son went to the IOW Festival from age 12-16/17. He’s just been to the Victorious Festival in Portsmouth. I think it is depends where you live. It would be odd living on the IOW and not going ever.

I didn’t say there was a perfect age.

I said festivals are for all ages. Which they are.

I’ve took my 10yo to many festivals. He loves it.

The festival didn’t give her the drugs, did it? Someone she trusted did. And she chose to trust them. Dreadfully sad, but could have also happened in her local park.

What did they teach you about festivals at finishing school?

Musical anhedonia is surprisingly prevalent. I don't think I'd go as far as to say I have it, because I do love a few niche types of music, but I dislike music as background noise and prefer silence most of the time.

Ex act fucking actly

I suppose my view of them is coloured by looking after a young girl who went to a festival at 16, who was given drugs and ended up with long term significant mental health issues as a result. Felt less rite of passage and more fucked up for life. Met her again recently, 25 years after the event, and still not a fully functioning human

I don't think it's a rite of passage but plenty of people love them of course.

Personally I've never been interested in music and still listen to very little. I also hate crowds and drunk people. So a music festival doesn't appeal at all. But I realise that millions of people find music very important and understand why they'd like to go.

Oh no absolutely not, a tiny amount and only a bit more at 18.

I don’t think they’re a rite of passage but a fun thing that many teenagers enjoy. I think it’s important for me to introduce my dc to live music and theatre. They’ve been going to festivals since age 2 and love it - but I’m not a camper so Reading was just a day ticket last year. 17yo went off with friends and dtds age 14 stuck with us.

I’ve met adults my age who’ve never been to a concert; I find that odd to be honest. Not saying they have to love the music I love but to not love any music enough to see it live is strange to me.

Of course … if you like music! They are for people who want to watch bands with their mates for 3 days on the trot. That’s not everyone; but it’s a lot of people.

Just turned 16 is not the perfect age

Oh get real

YANBU - but it’s ok for you not to like them/see them as significant and for others to find them transformative moments in their lives. Some of my most cherished personal memories are at the festivals of the late 90s, when I was an older teen. Yours are something else. Maybe a holiday with friends? That’s fine! We’re not all the same :)

The first couple I went to were with slightly older male friends who looked out for me, and I wasn’t drinking, so I think that made it feel pretty safe. Sensible precautions apply: don’t leave valuables unattended, don’t stagger around wasted on your own, especially in the dark. Leave the good jewellery and the designer gear at home. Wear sensible shoes if you’re attending an event in a field. Find some way of identifying your tent amount thousands of near identical ones once the last band is done.

My girls both went to T in the park many times as we lived nearby, had a ball. Also Leeds festival . They either love going or aren’t interested.
Nearest thing to a festival I ever went to was the Radio one roadshow on Torquay seafront, I loved it 🤣. Not quite the same, but there’s something about mass crowds enjoying live music in the open air !

You seem hung up on this "rite of passage" thing. A rite of passage marks the moving from one stage of life to another. Perhaps the "rite of passage" is really leaving school, or becoming a parent, or getting married. Going to a music festival might be something you do when you leave school, but it's not the ROP in itself (imo).

Actually with all these percentages you're quoting, but apparently only a casual interest in the subject I'm wondering if you're a journo?

So much depends on the festival - I'd be very reluctant if any of mine wanted to go to Reading or Leeds, as it seems to be a rougher crowd/ more violence, whereas, as others have said, rock festivals tend to have less trouble, and smaller local festivals are a better place to start.

Because she just wants to spread a load of negative, judgemental energy

If you don't even have a teenager then why do you care?