To ask if metal concerts are safe for DD14

[wherearemypaintbrushes]

Hi all. DD14 interested in 'gothic' fashion (which mainly just consists of black lipsticks and band tees ) and she is into a band called Nightwish. For what I have seen they are a metal type band.

Apparently they are going on tour next year and she would like me to book tickets for when they do a concert in London in December! I would honestly really love her to experience concerts and I think it would be a good christmas present.

Though I'd like to ask about your experiences with metal band concerts, I really don't want to stereotype but i'd be afraid of violent people etc The band seems harmless enough and the lead singer does seem quite nice but I just want to ask if I should be worried. She is a shy girl but copes well with noises - would she be intimidated by other people? None of her friends at school really enjoy her taste in music so may not be able to bring a friend.

Silly concerns, I know. Please don't flame me as I was never into bands like these at her age

My first metal gig was Metallica when I was 15. I went with a friend and her cousin who was 18 at the time and the crowd couldn't have been nicer.
Obviously saw that we were young and really looked out for us.
Metal crowds are generally very friendly and caring, completely against the stereotype

Just to echo what others have said, she will be fine! Fans at metal gigs are generally far more respectful and better behaved that other types of music. Youngsters in the crowd (which I am sadly not anymore!) are generally looked after.

As others have said stay away from the pits until you know what you’re doing, and don’t get on anyone’s shoulders unless you want plastic bottles of dubious content thrown at you!

Generally off to the side a little is a better place to stand than in the front, and you’ll get closer at the side than in the middle.

Definitely let her go - this will be one of the highlights of her life so far! Are you going to let her give you a makeover for the evening?

Check the rules, many don't allow under 18s standing. Large venues often have dedicated parent waiting areas outside especially if the act playing has a teenage following. Last time I was at the o2 they had tv's coffee etc.

Metal gigs are very, very safe. I've been jostled and trampled and barged into by countless entitled drunk indie boys but never at a metal gig. If there's any 'violence' (really just jumping around overenthusiastically) it'll be self contained in one area, very easy to avoid, and the number one, rigorously policed rule is that if someone goes down you pick them up. Though I'd be surprised to see any of that at a Nightwish gig - they won't want to risk anyone spilling beer on their expensive goth clothes...

Tickets may say that those under a certain age must be accompanied. Can you go with her - wearing black (obv) and being the ‘cool mum’ or would she be mortified ha ha!

Is she a streetwise 14? Ie will she take a handbag and let all her money, train ticket home, and phone get nicked? Or will she be cool. Has she been to gigs before so she knows the deal, ie dont stand right at the front as there’s a risk of being crushed or accidentally punched by some moshing dudes jumping around like maniacs?

She is young but some kids are wise beyond their years. Depend if she’s one of them. She may actually want you to go with her if she’s not confident but hiding it?

cmagic7 - definitely

Ds (aged 23) is into metal bands although I don't know Nightwish. He's never had any problem at gigs except at a Volbeat concert this year when he went into the Mosh pit for the first time and ended up with a broken wrist.

I'm sure she'll be fine but if I were her I'd definitely go with someone.

When (yes, when ) I buy tickets will 100% go with her. It's in the 'rules' IYSWIM and I think it sounds like a good experience!!

My mum took me to my first metal concert aged about 13/14 decades ago. So so cool of her and I was so happy. She led a sheltered life so I think secretly she was desperate to go anyway! No one batted an eyelid and she was certainly not the oldest person there.

I love Metallers precisely because we are generally very much our own people, different, and tend to let everyone just be themselves.

Go to lots of metal and punk gigs. Fans are considerate, protective and tolerant. Never any or seen any trouble!

Kenny Rodgers seating only country gig on the other hand was a full scale riot with about 40 police turning up! Lol

I saw Nightwish this year in birmingham They were amazing and the crowd were on the whole really well behaved, much better than at T Killers concert i went to .......

I agree with everyone else. Metal fans are lovely and will look out for each other. When I was a teenager the only club in our city I was allowed to go to underage was the metal club which was run down and shabby looking but you wouldn't get sleazy men coming onto you.

@Wearenotyourkind are you a fellow Slipknot fan by any chance?

Came here to say that metal fans tend to be the nicest and most respectful bunch. And nightwish aren't heavy at all so there's unlikely to be a true mosh pit. Go. Get standing. Have a great time :)

The only thing that might be unsafe is her hearing Maybe invest in some unobtrusive ear protection for her?

@Waxonwaxoff0 what ever gave you that impression

🤘🏻

I’d do standing tickets if the venue allows for her age, you don’t need to be rught up at the front and it’s much more fun for her first gig

Can't see there being any drama at a nightwish gig.

Just keep her away from the pit for now. Nothing sexist, they can get slightly mental until you know what you're doing.

I've seen gigs stopped before now whilst the singer called out twattish behaviour and in a couple of cases I really wouldn't want the singers carrying out the threat.

She should be safe.

Nightwish are symphonic metal which is much more showy than heavy or speed metal. I'm 34 and my brother 24 and we are both fans, ive seen people older than me there since they started in 1996. I am an outlier in that i like imaginarium with Annette olsen singing, they have Floor Jansen now. Tarja the original singer is the one known for walking off for a break.

If she likes Nightwish does she have Epica, Within temptation and Leaves Eyes'?

Have you heard of Safe Gigs for Women, OP? I'm not sure if they're going to be there, but it's worth checking out their site.

She'll be fine OP, as it's her first big gig she'll likely not venture into the Pit anyway!
I remember begging my DM to let me got to a Marilyn Manson Concert Miles away at London Docklands arena, she agreed eventually providing she got drop Me off and pick Me up. She waited patiently outside reading a book whilst I had the best night ever. My school friends did not believe where I had been the night before! She still chuckles now about how thankful I was the entire car journey home

I've been attending metal gigs and festivals since the age of 15 and have never ever felt unsafe. Everyone looks out for each other at a metal gig, if you fall or are knocked over, people will help you up etc. The metal community are generally a nice bunch :)

She MUST wear earplugs to protect her hearing. And she MUST put them in properly.

Get these from Amazon. Affordable but great. Roll them into a tube, put them in the ear, they’ll expand.

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I saw Nightwish in Wembley arena last year - I was 5 months pregnant and had a standing ticket (booked long before I was pregnant! ). My husband and I just stood up the back, there was loads of space and I sat on the floor for quite a while. I would advise taking a carrier bag or something similar to sit on as it was pretty sticky! I didn't notice a mosh pit, it's not really the right kind of music for it! There will be a huge age range among the fans and like PP said they are a decent well behaved bunch of folk who just want to enjoy the music.