A question for those of you who have been to gigs with your kids

[icebearforpresident]

My daughter loves Ok Go, who just announced a uk tour. She’s desperate to go see them and I’d love to take her, they would be an amazing first gig for her and I think they’re great as well.

The venue we would be going to is ‘strictly’ no under 14’s. Does anyone know how strict that is likely to be? DD would be 13 by the time of the gig but would pass for 14. Is it likely we be asked for ID at the venue?

It's entirely possible, depends on the venue. Equally she might walk right in.

They were asking for ID at Taylor Swift I believe, at some venues. My daughter got asked when we went to see some famous fella she and her friends like, but that was just at a smaller venue in Birmingham.

My 4 have had mixed luck of being asked for ID. A few times they have been ejected from a range of venues, lots of times not. They are all old looking compared to their friends so its a bit luck of the draw.

I think as you'll be with her you should be ok.

I went to a gig with my DS when he was 15 where under 18s had to be accompanied by an adult. It had a lower age limit too, but they never asked my DS for proof of age.

We had a total blast, so I think you should go for it!

Think I’ll see how much the tickets are, I’m on their mailing list so got pre-sale for tomorrow. I’ve not been to a gig in a venue this small for years but if they aren’t too expensive, which I don’t expect they will be, I’ll chance our luck and call it an experience if we’re turned away.

My thinking is that unless you’re blatantly taking a 5 year old in they won’t ask questions. Weirdly I would actually feel more confident if it was a bigger venue, more likely to be able to go in with the crowd and only get a cursory glance as staff take our tickets.

They all get fake ids these days

In my experience they do ask for ID. I wouldn’t risk it, not just because of the money, but because of the impact on DC if they are turned away.

I always phone the venue and ask. So far all have said over 14 due to swearing but it’s parental discretion so Ds has seen his favourite band 4 times in the past year 😃

That’s interesting @ButWhysTheRumGone , I would be worried about drawing attention to bringing along a 13 year old to a gig happening in 10 months time 😆

I’ve not been to anything at the venue myself (SWG3 in Glasgow) but always assumed the age limit was due to licensing and it being a standing only venue. I certainly wouldn’t be worried about swearing so if it was more of a parental discretion situation we will definitely be going.

I’ve spoken to DD and told her about the lower age limit and that even if I do buy tickets we might get to the door and be asked for her ID, in which case case we won’t be getting in. She’s very pragmatic about it and I’ve no concerns about her passing for 14 so my worry is more they are checking ID for anyone who looks younger that 18 rather than being randomly stopped.

We have been asked for ID for 14s event. He was 14 and looked it.

I was at a gig at SWG3 last year to see Frank Turner and there was another gig in another part of the venue that night which seemed to attract a younger crowd and I did see a few kids being turned away in that queue for not being old enough. These were kids on their own and not with parent so I assume if you with her it would be ok.

Ds was age 10 at the gigs. All in small venues. He costs me a fortune in merch and loves being the youngest there and right at the front. We have a few gig friends and it’s a great community for this particular band. He’s always well looked after by the band and staff. Live music is such a joy and he really lets his hair down and goes wild bouncing up and down singing the lyrics at the top of his lungs. He knows not to repeat any swearing outside of singing along at the gigs.
if it’s a big gig no one will remember someone asking how strict they are on the age limit. I wouldn’t want waste money and risk not being let in.