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Original poster

Arctic Monkeys - Hillsborough Park with DD9?

31 replies

fluffymonkey1 · 02/06/2023 22:06

My dd is 9 (10 in December!) and LOVES Arctic Monkeys. She is desperate to see them, and has never been to a gig before. I've been to many gigs over the years but only a few since dd was born so I'm a bit out of practice. I probably would have tried to get us seated tickets at another venue but wasn't aware it was happening when they went on sale.

They are playing in Sheffield at Hillsborough Park this weekend. I'm originally from Sheffield but live about an hour away now so not too far. Under 18's are allowed but it's full standing as it's in a park (so no seating). They have released some more tickets and I'm really tempted but unsure about taking her if it's standing only. We obviously would find a less crowded spot to enjoy the concert and wouldn't be in the thick of it.

Would you do it, or do you think she's too young?

OP posts:
buddy79 · 02/06/2023 22:09

I’m sorry but personally I wouldn’t. People will be towering above her, people will be shouting, dancing, and some will be drinking, I’d leave it a couple of years to go to something that big / late.

LookWhosInsideAgain · 02/06/2023 22:13

I last saw Arctic Monkeys in 2018 and thought it would be pretty chilled as most fans now mid 30s+. There was way, way more drinking and rowdiness than many gigs I’ve been to by artists with a generally younger demographic and I definitely wouldn’t consider it suitable for a 10yo.

Original poster
fluffymonkey1 · 02/06/2023 22:15

Thanks both, I'll definitely give it a miss then. I guess I'll be battling for Taylor Swift tickets instead then Grin

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Bluebellsbells · 02/06/2023 22:31

I went to see them in Leeds. Full of drunks throwing full pints of wee into the crowds- I wouldn't even consider it.

grayhairdontcare · 02/06/2023 23:02

Last time I watched them at old Trafford, we left early as there was a lot of low level violence and rowdy drunken behaviour

EnolaAlone · 02/06/2023 23:12

I saw them in Coventry this week with DS 15 and it was really great, definitely a friendly atmosphere. We were seated in a stadium though.

UsingChangeofName · 02/06/2023 23:26

Too young

acquiescence · 02/06/2023 23:32

My friend is taking her 8 year old. I think it just depends on the child, can she stay up late comfortably and tolerate crowds at a festival? They may not be able to see too much but if you keep a distance there will be screens. We live very locally and take the kids to tramlines festival every year in the same park so it feels very familiar to us and not a big deal. Worst case she gets tired and it’s not that fun, best case it’s amazing.

I’m taking my 7 year old to a seated stadium gig soon, not sure if it’s a wise decision!

ConstantlyConfusedBird · 02/06/2023 23:32

Not at all too young. Stand near the back, it's big enough and take her home if it gets too much. The throwing of beer, pushing and shoving will be all down near the front. They will have big screens so she will be able to see.

thaisweetchill · 02/06/2023 23:33

I went to a courteeners gig at 8 months pregnant at Heston park, I was worried about the pushing etc but I stayed right at the back where there was a lot of space and no pushing etc. Take her! I'm going to see AM tomorrow in Manchester and can't wait, the set list is incredible.

justasking111 · 02/06/2023 23:36

DS saw them today in Manchester. I'm worrying now. He's due home late tonight

Jamhamlamb · 02/06/2023 23:38

I've been to see them tonight at old trafford and they were fantastic. There were a lot of very drunk/drugged up people, saw one guy stretchered out, but there was seating at the back which looked quiet and child friendly but it might not be at the park.

ConstantlyConfusedBird · 03/06/2023 05:41

Jamhamlamb · 02/06/2023 23:38

I've been to see them tonight at old trafford and they were fantastic. There were a lot of very drunk/drugged up people, saw one guy stretchered out, but there was seating at the back which looked quiet and child friendly but it might not be at the park.

I'm going today !! Can't wait. What time do the support acts start and what time do AM finish? I know I could google set times but don't want to know what songs they do!

cornflakesandtea · 03/06/2023 05:55

I would take her! Like a pp said, all the drunken rowdiness will be at the front, so stand somewhere safely at the back. We took our 11 and 9 year olds to a day festival last year and they absolutely loved it. My youngest was having the time of his life

alabamathunderpussy · 03/06/2023 08:34

Ive been to A LOT of gigs, across a whole load of genres, including some pretty heavy, and metal bands. I have never felt an aggressive atmosphere like the one when i went to see AM. Massive shame. It was in Birmingham which i do find has an aggro atmosphere at night anyway, but i've never seen so many fights at a gig.

LlynTegid · 03/06/2023 09:11

Think you've made the right decision. Glad to read of your DDs good taste in music though.

Kbeck16 · 08/06/2023 21:01

😬 well, I'm taking my 6 year old twins by myself 😆. They've always loved AM and I promised if they toured I'd take them. I got the tickets for their birthday. This will be their first ever gig so 🤞 we're staying near the back. But they'll remember this experience for the rest of their lives - hopefully for the right reasons. If not, Nanan lives up the road and I'll be kicking them out

Jeansmeansheinz · 08/06/2023 21:05

Ive been to A LOT of gigs, across a whole load of genres, including some pretty heavy, and metal bands. I have never felt an aggressive atmosphere like the one when i went to see AM. Massive shame
I agree with this, and that's been in a couple of different venues, so not just Birmingham. They attract a certain crowd, it's not somewhere I'd take kids.

LittleFreakJezebel · 08/06/2023 21:12

Kbeck16 · 08/06/2023 21:01

😬 well, I'm taking my 6 year old twins by myself 😆. They've always loved AM and I promised if they toured I'd take them. I got the tickets for their birthday. This will be their first ever gig so 🤞 we're staying near the back. But they'll remember this experience for the rest of their lives - hopefully for the right reasons. If not, Nanan lives up the road and I'll be kicking them out

I've seen them loads and can't say I've ever witnessed anything particularly awful/worse than any other gigs.

We'll be there Friday and standing towards the back, ready for a swift exit at the end!

Kbeck16 · 08/06/2023 21:22

Yeh, I've seen them twice before, but we're going back maybe 12 years ago and neither have I. We're also going Friday! Not planning to get there particularly early though so the girls don't get bored.
I was more worried about them getting fed up of standing more than anything else, I've been to my fair share of chaotic gigs, AM never have been one of them, infact Alex Turner was the p*ssed up one! 😆

Grumblevision · 08/06/2023 21:59

Sit on Wadsley Common with a picnic, you'll hear them from there. Probably a little bit distorted as it travels up the hill, but it'll be way more chill.

Youvebeenmuffled · 08/06/2023 22:04

I took DD 13 last Friday, we stood towards the back. Saw lots of kids smaller/younger than her

Original poster
fluffymonkey1 · 10/06/2023 00:35

I didn't come back to this thread and say I ended up buying us tickets because I thought everyone would call me an unfit mother Grin

But we went tonight and it was incredible. We got there early and got a wristband to go in the front section and we were right by the side of the stage! Saw a few other kids about and there was loads of space. Barely clocked any rowdy behaviour. Dd had the night of her life!

OP posts:
Kbeck16 · 10/06/2023 02:08

We stayed at the back the kids had an amazing time! Nothing was really kicking off. The temptation to do it again tomorrow is 😬😆

CauliflowerBalti · 10/06/2023 10:03

I’m going today - with a 14-year old. I have questions about food, drinks, bag sizes, toilets and traffic, because I am apparently the mummest of mums.

given it’s in the park - any food vans inside or do we need to eat first? This is pressing as son is apparently bottomless at the moment.

will we be allowed to take water in, of our own, or will they assume it’s vodka? It’s gonna be warm…

any restrictions on bags?

how hellish is getting home? I have a parking space booked but toying with using the tram or taxi so I can have a drink. Are 90 minute waits for trams, for real? Can you get taxis from the b&q car park like at tramlines - or anywhere?!