Would you let an almost 16 yo go to download festival ?

[zenasfuck]

My son is year 11, 16 in August.
He really wants to go and see slipknot at download as apparently it's their last Uk gig
He finishes his GCSES the day before and wants to go with friends to celebrate

He is fairly sensible and never been silly or gotten into trouble BUT he is not streetwise at all. Has spent the last 5years at boarding school and doesn't go out alone when he's at home

I really want to say no he can't go but that's my own fears
I have no experience of this festival so unsure realistically what the dangers might be

Can anyone advise please ?

Yes. My daughter was going to festivals at 16.

What's the chances that he'll go anyway?

How sensible are the friends? How likely are they to get drunk? If he and friends stay sober, and he takes no valuables with (the most basic phone you can find), I think it's probably OK, but do think of every scenario and discuss with him so he has an idea of what to do if he loses his friends/gets money stolen/feels ill/people start fighting nearby.

I went to download Festival at 16 with my friends and had a great time 😊 what are you worried about happening? I found it much more friendly and safer than the likes of T in the Park for example.

Will he be accompanied by an adult age 18 or over?

Where's he getting the idea that it's slipknot's last UK show? I think he's having you on there.

I went a 15. Acrually its bloody good, Yeh I'd allow it.

Oh and i wasnt streetwise or anything. I've been to other festivals where drugs were rife but actually, think download is one of the better ones. Plus slipknot are awesome!

I’ve been to Download several times and I think if he’s sensible, he’ll be fine.

Yes, lots of people do get very drunk but it would hard for anyone underage to do so as there’s security everywhere, they check bags going in and the bars there are pretty strict. Theres lots and lots of support should anything go wrong- loads of security, volunteer guides, first aid etc. There’s lots of laid back places to sit and watch bands where older people and families often sit so you don’t necessarily have to be right at the front.

My main concern would be keeping an eye on valuables tbh and not leaving anything expensive in the tent. When I last went you could rent a locker with a phone charger in it, if I were you I’d probably pay for one for him so you know he has somewhere to keep his valuables and his phone is charged.

Will he even be allowed in without an adult at 15?
Is none of the parents going?
Would he not prefer a day ticket?

Yes I would let him. I let both of mine go to Download at 16. Compared to many other festivals it's safe and friendly even if the music sounds terrifying. Metalheads and goth types are generally a peace loving bunch. There would be far less danger or trouble there than at festivals that draw a different sort of crowd.

Yes let him go. I went at 16 and have been loads of times since. Yes there are some dickheads there , but all festivals have them. As long as he's sensible and surrounded by a good group of friends he will be fine. I will say Download is one of the more friendlier festivals. If it was reading festival it would be a flat out no.

Yes, download is a great festival and lovely atmosphere.

I thought it was Slayer's last UK appearance not Slipknot's...

This is all fairly reassuring thank you

He would only be going for the one day, I'd drop him off and collect him

No valuables other than cash and a cheap PaYG phone

I do have someone I know who is an adult going and he's agreed he'll give him his number to call him if DS runs into any trouble there

I went at his age! It was brilliant.

OP I’m 31 and my mum doesn’t like me going to Download either it’s dirty and he won’t sleep for four days but he’ll have a great time. I can’t wait to see Slipknot again!

He's only going for the one day on the Saturday, he only really wants to see slipknot - personally can't imagine why they terrify me 😂

Those arrangements sound good!

Download is genuinely one of the gentler, more polite festivals. Goth/metal/rocker crowd are a bit older and nicer. He'll be fine.

Thanks all
The thought of him going to a festival frightens me but he's got to start somewhere right

Am reassured by the comments that the metal crowd are generally a good bunch.

Am quite sure he'll go, come back safe, smelly and tired and have had the time of his life but
He's my baby 😁 and all the what ifs are keeping me awake

he will have a fantastic time - dd went from about 14, all we heard about was 'Rupert and Hugo and Celeste and Arabelle' etc, so middle class i couldnt get worked up

Going for one day he'll be fine. We took ds aged 12 last year and he had a fantastic time, and is currently breaking in his first pair of para boots ready for this year

@thebabessavedme - again, very reassuring- without giving too much personal Info away but that sounds very much like DS and his friendship group so glad they won't stand out like they got lost and stumbled on a festival 😁

I went to download for many years on the trot starting at 15. If he is just going for the day he will only be in the main arena, which as a pp said is crawling with security, you need ID to buy alcohol etc. And it all ends at 11pm. Any wild stuff I experienced happened in the camp, where people have their own alcohol and stuff is open until the wee hours.

Let him go, he will have a great time and Slipknot are really good live. And it's a nuve fenced in and security heavy place for him to practice being a bit more street-wise.

Thanks @WeeBeasties , glad to hear they are strict on alcohol policy and plenty of security