Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:30

Weird to be about cagey about your age 😆

Show quote history

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:
Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:48

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

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

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

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

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

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

OP posts:
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

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:53

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

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!

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

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

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

OP posts:
JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 08:58

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

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

Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 09:00

JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 08:58

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

I agree.

its a fun weekend for some kids.
i just don't see it as a right of passage in any way.

OP posts:
Lossaloft · 31/08/2026 09:00

Depends on the teen I guess. My brother loved them but I never went. I like an early night, so all that noise and not being able to get home to a quiet bed to sleep when I’d had enough was not for me. Not into drugs either. I like day festivals I can go home from, but that’s all and only did that later in life as an adult.

Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 09:00

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 08:59

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

Show quote history

and yet here you are making personally attacks about my life?

OP posts:
Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 09:01

musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 09:00

and yet here you are making personally attacks about my life?

Show quote history

Calm down

JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 09:03

So one of mine does a particular sport that has rites of passage into the team - only she and the others that play the sport will do those (mad) activities/ rites of passage. Those that don’t play the sport will miss out (and be glad to) so don’t see the issue! They do different stuff. For some a festival is definitely a rite of passage.

Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 09:03

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 09:01

Calm down

Show quote history

I could say the same to you.
im no worried at all about your interest in this thread and my life, I find it interesting how invested you are in my life and age.

OP posts:
Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 09:03

musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 09:03

I could say the same to you.
im no worried at all about your interest in this thread and my life, I find it interesting how invested you are in my life and age.

Show quote history

Oh dear.

Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 09:04

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 09:03

Oh dear.

Show quote history

Still here then

OP posts:
Original poster
musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 09:06

JuliettaCaeser · 31/08/2026 09:03

So one of mine does a particular sport that has rites of passage into the team - only she and the others that play the sport will do those (mad) activities/ rites of passage. Those that don’t play the sport will miss out (and be glad to) so don’t see the issue! They do different stuff. For some a festival is definitely a rite of passage.

I do get that @JuliettaCaeser

OP posts:
Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 09:07

musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 09:04

Still here then

Show quote history

Yes

Tiedbutchorestodo · 31/08/2026 09:07

My DD (16) has just been to Reading with a group of friends and had the best time - she said she felt very safe. She didn’t drink and had lots of fun still. Loads of kids at her school went for post GCSEs and we live hours away.

I think it’s seen as a bit of a rite of passage - this summer in general has been a big step in independence with friend trips to big cities and organising own social life etc. compared to previous years.

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 09:08

musemusemuse · 31/08/2026 09:06

I do get that @JuliettaCaeser

Show quote history

Do you?

You understand that kids, teens, adults all like different things?

Premierinnsleep · 31/08/2026 09:08

I’d have hated it as a teen and certainly how

my DS bloody lives for them

Newbutoldfather · 31/08/2026 09:09

It is for some, it isn’t for others. Newsflash! People of all ages are different and have different interests.

For one of my sons, music is a huge part of his life and he has just come back from a festival. My other son is sporty, hates music and likes a comfy bed. Unless he changes radically in the next couple of years, I can’t see him ever going.

Swipe left for the next trending thread