To take an 11 year old to a rock concert

[wornoutdad]

I was a lot older when I went to my first concert and it was a relatively small venue.

My 11 year old wants to attend an arena rock concert (hard rock) with me (and I have a spare ticket) but I'm a little worried he may be a bit young, would you take an 11 year old to a rock concert?

My partner and I are taking our 11 year old to see The Cure in a few months at Wembley. So pleased he has the same taste in music as his parents 😉. He's been to festivals but this will be his first non festival big gig. Didn't occur to me not to take him when I heard they were playing, tbh.

Alice Cooper has been playing in my town and spotted on the local golf course, not looking like him, but it definitely is!

Taking a 6 year old to a foos concerns?

what about all the other people? Wanting to let off steam, really go for it, jumping around and really get in to the music, perhaps not been able to go to any beloved gigs for 3 years.

and right next to them is a little mite bopping along, possibly with his hands over his ears?

Foos concert

and right next to them is a little mite bopping along, possibly with his hands over his ears?

This is why most people have suggested ear defenders/ear protection. We took ours to festivals from fairly young and I don't think I've ever seen a younger child without ear defenders. They block out enough volume so that they can hear the music but don't risk hearing damage.

I'd be inclined to say yes, given there might not be another opportunity.

I love seeing kids joining in at gigs, always have, even before I had my own. Something about the community feeling, and seeing someone else get totally hyped up about the music, which kids are far more likely to do.

Anyone wanting to let off steam and really go for it, needs to be in the mosh pit, not chilling in the rest of the crowd, and kids shouldn't be in the mosh pit. So there's no issue there.

Oh come on

you book to see the Foo fighters
it doesn’t start until 8pm

you are a 25 year old guy going with a group of friends and you are sitting next to a 6 year old.

i don’t think it’s fair personally but then again I wouldn’t take until older anyway so that the child genuinely enjoys. Let’s be honest, a 6 yr old - very late night, very loud music, going on for hours and then travelling home - do you honestly think he’d enjoy as much as a film at home with a bowl of popcorn and then in bed “late” at 9.30pm?

The only time I've ever seen any aggro at a concert was at a Steps one - very aggressive man shoving people out of his way and called me a slag 😆

do it. My 2 dc we’re rocking at a tribute band festival recently. The youngest was only 6. He had the best time.

id take them to download if I thought they could manage that long without Wi-Fi 🤣

I went to see AC/DC a few years back. Definitely some children there around the 8-12 age group.
All appeared to be having a great time, they were giving it socks!
They were into the music more than some of the older gig goers.
Have to be honest, it was great to see.
Bring him and have a great time.
🤘

No such thing as too young or too old. Just protect their ears if they are very young. I'm sure gigs aren't as loud as they used to be when I was a teen. And yes my hearing is fine thank you. Get them started young!

Yes, it's a great experience. Stay away from speakers, which can cause hearing damage, and away from dancing areas, and get nice seats and enjoy the show. I saw Pulp around that age.

I was 11 when I first attended an arena rock tour (Bon Jovi!) You should absolutely take him.

I can't see it being an issue particularly when you are seated. However do check that they will admit under 16s to the venue. I was at something recently where they did not admit under 16 and turned a father and son away from the door. God knows why they set it at no under 16s as it was all seated.

Thanks everyone for sharing your experiences and good advice. You've eliminated my worries and we can now just look forward to going and having a good time.

We will take ear defenders he can use if required. We've been to plenty of other loud events and he has no concerns using them.

Based on the advice here I did check about entry, the venue have confirmed as it is all seated he'll be fine with entry. 🤘

Definitely! I’d have loved that when I was a kid

Take him he’ll love it - if standing just stay nearer to the back so he doesn’t get overwhelmed by the crowds.

bring him to The Cult for sure! They are amazing live!

Hell yes!!

To those sneering at Boyzond - never underestimate 10,000 12 and 13 yr olds when confronted with what they deem to be dream boyf material combined with catchy songs of lurve.
I took my two nieces to see Bros at Wembley Arena in 1988 and frankly my ears and nerves have never been the same. In a weak moment I agreed to take dd and friends to see 5SOS some years ago and it took me half an hour after the concert before my head was straight enough to get in the car and drive.

🙊 Boyzone. Would send DS to a gig like this as a form of punishment.

Don't sneer at other people's taste in music, what a pathetic thing to do.

I love seeing kids joining in at gigs, always have, even before I had my own. Something about the community feeling, and seeing someone else get totally hyped up about the music, which kids are far more likely to do.

Same. I even moderate my language, which would usually make a trooper blush. Live music is fantastic, children love it and it starts them off with a great hobby

Go for it, my son has been going to gigs and festivals since he was 2, our daughter is off to her first one on Thursday, shes six months old.

I would..I took my daughter to her first Arena concert when she was 9 ..only thing I wish now is that I hadn;t started it as she loves to go way too often!! Go have fun all will be well.