Taking kids to Rock Concert

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Has anyone ever done this? DW and I are getting tickets to see Muse in November. Our 2 DCs (8 and 10) would want to come (having heard them overplayed in the car they now rather like them and DS - bless - sings along like a scalded cat). DW thinks we shouldn't take them.

DW thinks it would be too loud, and too late. It's on a school night as well. I know I'm not being sensible, but has anyone else taken a child to a concert with loud music? We'd not be near to the front speakers natch.

They rarely come on stage before 10 pm so no, I wouldn't. Bit young.

They would love it. Not quite the same, but I took ds (then 11) to see the Xfactor tour last year he still goes on about it now.

Earplugs or ear defenders a must

Why is DW so against it? You would be with them, it would be an awesome experience and I'm assuming that you don't take them out of school often.
Plus I don't think Muse is heavy or thrashy enough to get mosh pits going!!

It is a bit late, but one late night won't kill them. Regarding volume, just put them some wax earplugs in - they'll still be able to hear the music just fine but it reduces the decibels to a much more bearable level, cuts out much distortion, crowd noise etc.

They might not be made welcome by other people there.

Do you think your wife was maybe looking forward to a grown up evening together where you could let your hair down?

Take them!!! we took our girls when aged 10 and 8 to see Prince and also Mika - they totally loved both. no ear plugs required, it was only one night...

Muse are (well, back when they were good) quite a 'family' friendly group to see (bit like Foo's)...'rock' crowds are generally friendly & won't mosh into a child.

I saw Michael Jackson live when I was 6 & it t'was amazing!
We were going to festivals & concerts when I was a kid & my ears have survived!

Your DW is a square, I suggest playing Beastie Boys 'Fight for your Right' on full volume until she agrees

Well we have taken our boys to see one of their fave bands twice now - Green Day.

DS1 is 15 and DS2 is 13. The first time they saw Green Day was three years ago.

They have also seen other concerts too with both of us and DH has taken DS1 to see a couple of concerts where we had got him tickets for birthday/Xmas.

DS1 is dying to go to the Leeds Fest and DH would have taken him too this year (had I not booked our holiday which coincides with the same weekend). I have promised that I will not make the same mistake for next year . Had DH and I not been away for our wedding anniversary over the weekend (got back yesterday) he would have taken DS to the Download Fest.

I don't think it's a good idea - even though they may like listening to them in the car or at home, I think they're too young for a concert.

Concerts are loud, dark, full of pushing and shoving - and I'd have thought that could be pretty scary for an 8 year old.

depends on the venue. If there is seating, then fine. I wouldnt recommend small kids being in a crowd as there will be a lot of pushing and jumping and it wouldnt be safe.

A lot of venues where there is no seating will not allow under 14's anyway.

just to add though... perhaps your wife would actually like to just go to a gig with you alone, not have to worry about the safety of the kids, and just enjoy herself... :)

Yeah, there might be an age limit

At age 10 I would have loved to have gone to a muse gig (I still would now) but its a bit unfair on your wife. Have a night off both together, she's not going to be able to let her hair down properly if they're there.

Interesting responses - thanks all!

I have seen moshing at Muse concerts, but we'd be well away from it. Maybe if they do seating DW could be persuaded.

Awesome group. Really looking forward to it.

Oh great what a lovely opportunity! They will love it !

I'm very jealous! But to be honest I do think they're a bit young. Gig crowds can be daunting

they are not too young to be in the seats though, and most big venues are seated.. (just looked and all the Muse gigs are in arenas, so it will be absolutely fine for kids to go so long as they are sat down).

I thought it was all sold out!?

there are always tickets for sale on ebay so long as you dont mind paying over the odds..

I think they would love it! I took DS to his first concert at 7yo (Busted and McFly), Linkin Park at 8yo. He was thrilled.

Also took my friend's 2 girls to see Katy Perry, they were 7yo and 12yo at the time. A late night won't hurt just the once. You'll be fine in the seated area. My advice would be don't go too early, there's a lot of sitting around and support acts before the stars go on. Go for it and have fun!

I don't think the issue is safety here anyway, it's that your wife doesn't want them to go.

I think it depends on the child and the location/seating etc.

DD went to see Noah & The Whale with DH earlier this year, she was 7.5 at the time, on a school night in the standing area and with the aid of earplugs. She thoroughly enjoyed it, although I think she found the length of time standing a bit hard going - and got to have a good chat with her teacher, who is also a fan, about it the following day.

I'm taking her to see the Rizzle Kicks in December and Jessie J next February. Both of those will be seated (in theory at least!) because I'm not such an experienced concert goer as DH and would be knackered and be worried about keeping hold of her. For the same reason I decided against taking her to an outdoor JLS concert over the summer, but it depends on the child I think.