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 ?

My friend goes every year and always says it's the friendliest festival of the lot. Another friend took her kids when they were primary school age, and I also know a woman in her 60s who started going a couple of years back and she says the same!
I would much much rather download than any of the other "big" festivals!!

I'm also not a metal head myself but have been dragged to a small scale two day event before and everyone there was either lovely or kept themselves to themselves too.

If he's only going for the day ABSOLUTELY! Download is the nicest festival I've ever been to people wise. For a bunch that society sees as quite frightening, us metalheads are actually lovely! Obviously you will always get dicks, but you do everywhere.

If he was going for the 5 days camping I'd be a little more cautious just because he isn't very streetwise and it's a big culture shock if it's your first festival experience.

However let him go. He'll have a great time. Slipknot are amazing live!

He needs to check the terms and conditions and be prepared for being turned away. Under 16s must be accompanied by an adult over 18.

How exciting for him! Download was my first festival- I was 16 too. It’s a wonderful festival: one of the friendliest and safest in the UK. Generally speaking, metal types are very considerate and helpful.

Like a PP says, check the restrictions on under 16s though.

Yes my DC always say the biggest danger at a metal festival is accidentally hurting yourself in the mosh pit. But if someone falls over, the crowd parts while someone picks them up, checks they are okay (especially if they look young or new to it) and then all hell breaks loose again. 😂

Don’t expect him to be able to speak normally for a full three days afterwards though. He’ll have the time of his life.

Yep if someone goes down in the moshpit, or indeed anywhere in the crowd, the crowd parts like Jesus parts the seas 😂

If he can get in, and you trust him please let him go. I only went to the first two Download Festivals 2003 and 2004 and absolutely loved it.