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

It is for some, it isn’t for others. Just like everything in life.

You seem overly fixated on giving summer festivals a description, why does it matter?

It's not that deep, some kids want to go, some don't, why are you bothered?

I don't think they're a rite of passage, more a trendy thing to do if you want to look popular these days, especially the lakes of creamfields. I've been to day gigs and festivals over the years but only for bands I wanted to see. Only a percentage of teenagers go if they're in with a crowd who like to post on SM, though some do of course go for the experience and dance music.

You’ve just said that under half of people that age go to them, so how can you think they’re a rite of passage?

I found them great fun, had the best times, and so did my mates (half didn’t drink). It depends if you like seeing live music in that sort of atmosphere? I went to my first one around 16.

I went to one GCSE year as did my sister. I’d be very wary of allowing a 16yo to go now. We were all absolutely wasted, drugs everywhere, I didn’t eat for 4 days…

Fun, but I wouldn’t want my kid doing it.

I didn't go to finishing school either.

I loved them as a teen but I am old enough to remember free parties and being able to basically break into a lot of festivals so I rarely paid and if I did it was manageable. Nowadays they cost as much as a holiday and involve dedicating hours to trying to get tickets it seems such a scam.

DD (15) has no interest at all. She’s too young now but I can’t see her being interested when she’s older.

I don’t think they are anyway near as much fun as they were.

My DD is currently at Reading with loads of others from her year group. For them it feels like a rite of passage - that's how it was sold to me anyway! She's having a great time.

I didn't start going to festivals until I was in my 20s. I loathe camping, but I went to Reading for one day every year for a decade - just bought a wristband from someone outside who'd got wasted and was leaving early. I used to go in, buy MDMA, listen to the music, dance and have fun, then toddle off home and tuck myself into bed. Didn't drink of a drop of booze! 😉

If you’re into music, it’s a rite of passage - I went to Reading after A levels (back in the 80s when it was good and not full of idiots). DS and his friends are all looking forward to going to Bloodstock. I’ve played in bands since I was 13, DP and DS are also in bands. Music, both playing it and listening to it are huge parts of our lives.

Sounds like some of you have never actually been to a festival! They are actually great fun you know!

This must depend where you live because I don't know any of my son's cohort who went to Leeds or Reading. A few went to Y Not which is closer but by no means is it the majority.

I went to Reading 7 years in a row from aged 18 and it was some of the most fun weekends of my life. I'll encourage my kids to go.

My son drinks alcohol but not at gigs. It means you are more likely to need the loo and as a result lose your spot! I am the same.

I expect most people who do drink will do so at a festival as it spans a longer period. That said sitting about in the sun with or without a few beers, with friends, listening to live music is a very lovely thing. It doesn't have to involve getting drunk and I don't think non drinkers enjoy the experience any less. I have attended both while pregnant (so not drinking) and still had a great time.

They were for me and the people I know, I was born in the mid 90s. It was probably the first taste of independence for us, to stay away from home with our friends. I was 16 when I first went to Leeds festival but went to other local ones first.

Of course they are. Virtually all the kids ending y11 around here go to Reading or Leeds. They are the gateway festival drugs for all the other ones.

It wasn’t for me. I used to go to gigs when I was a teenager but I was never interested in going and getting mucky and taking drugs for three days. Never wanted to camp so I wouldn’t have done it at a festival.

Concerts I’d say yes but festivals I’d see as an older thing-20s on

Being in a crowd, listening to shitty music far from the scene. Experiencing bad weather, mud, mosquitobites while smelling foul odours from other teens. Peeing and pooing outside, walking in other people's pee, poo and vomit. Hardly sleep because of cold and noise. Drinking beer and eating shit. Try drugs. Getting hit on by various drunk punks.
I had friends who did this when younger and they told me all the above and yet they were decided to go year after year. You would have had to pay me to go to something like that but then I have always liked being comfortable 😊