AIBU to not see music festivals as a teenage rite of passage?

[musemusemuse]

to not understand the appeal of music festivals.

I hear that music festivals like Leeds are a right of passage for teenagers, I never went to one as a young teen myself and I don’t remember any of my friends going either. Is this a right of passage, did I miss out? Or AIBU to think they are not really a right of passage.

No, I didn't understand at all.

please explain your rudeness @TomatoGlut

I loved them as a teen but I am old enough to remember free parties and being able to basically break into a lot of festivals so I rarely paid and if I did it was manageable. Nowadays they cost as much as a holiday and involve dedicating hours to trying to get tickets it seems such a scam.

DD (15) has no interest at all. She’s too young now but I can’t see her being interested when she’s older.

I don’t think they are anyway near as much fun as they were.

yes, 300 plus ££

That alone means it’s not a rite of passage for many

I didn't go to finishing school either.

I went to one GCSE year as did my sister. I’d be very wary of allowing a 16yo to go now. We were all absolutely wasted, drugs everywhere, I didn’t eat for 4 days…

Fun, but I wouldn’t want my kid doing it.

You’ve just said that under half of people that age go to them, so how can you think they’re a rite of passage?

I found them great fun, had the best times, and so did my mates (half didn’t drink). It depends if you like seeing live music in that sort of atmosphere? I went to my first one around 16.

I don't think they're a rite of passage, more a trendy thing to do if you want to look popular these days, especially the lakes of creamfields. I've been to day gigs and festivals over the years but only for bands I wanted to see. Only a percentage of teenagers go if they're in with a crowd who like to post on SM, though some do of course go for the experience and dance music.

I see.

Just get back to your wine love.
Makes sense to you I’m sure,

You seem overly fixated on giving summer festivals a description, why does it matter?

It's not that deep, some kids want to go, some don't, why are you bothered?

It is for some, it isn’t for others. Just like everything in life.

It's only a 'rite of passage' for the relatively privileged who like a certain type of music.

I think that’s why people think nearly everyone goes after GCSE’s when they don’t at all.

I wasn’t a massive drinker when I was a teen, as I used to get the runs and really bad head aches only after a small amount of alcohol.

My first festival was Leeds when I was 17 in 2005. I loved it. I loved (and still do) Indie/Rock music and getting to see so many bands at once was just the most amazing experience. It was and still is amazing value for money.

I hated the actual camping. Washing with a bottle of water and baby wipes, living off biscuits, no sleep, losing your tent, but making new friends from all over and having the best laughs along the way. It does seem like a rite of a passage.

You don’t have to think so though and that’s perfectly okay.

As I said in my OP, it is other people who seem to think they are a rite of passage. I was just asking the question. Why do people think they are.

Obviously not all teens go to festivals, but for those who do it's often a bit of a rite of passage.

I went to festivals as a teen and 20 something in the 80s and 90s. Really enjoyed them. Some of my best memories with friends from those days were at festivals. Went again in my 40s taking my young kids and had a great time. I drink, but didn't when I first went at 15 and 16 and didn't when I took my own kids. Still a fantastic time. I'm not as keen on the truly huge festivals like Glastonbury. Prefer smaller ones with a focus that's a bit more artsy than just music (but I definitely want the music!).

So I think you did miss out, OP, yes.

I think by rite of passage a music festival is one of those things young people should experience if they can (obviously only if they enjoy live music, big crowds, stick with their friends etc). I went to quite a few in my younger years but I was 18 and over. Getting rained on in a tent that's not waterproof, braving the toilets, getting mucked up to the eyeballs but also laughing and dancing with friends and sitting in a field listening to your favourite artist and the sun comes out. Drinking isn't a necessity but the first pint is always the best and chips in a field taste amazing. Even getting home into a warm bath and your own bed is the best feeling ever. It has it's ups and downs but that's what's great about it. The solidarity of everyone coming together for a good time. I worked a few concerts too pulling pints and we always got to see the last bands.

That sounds fun!

Some people like them, some not. I wouldn’t say they’re a rite of passage.

One of my children went to some when he was 16-18. He liked the music but hated the showers or not showering, the toilets, the drugs, the dickheads and being uncomfortable sleeping in a tent.

My other child isn’t interested in festivals at all.

The both love concerts and a nice hotel for after.

But teenagers have being going to festivals for decades.

I’m nearly 40 and Leeds fest was the main festival for my peer group back in the 2000’s.

& Creamfields has been around since the late 90’s.

Loads go round here and yes it’s seem as a bit of a RoP. But all in, the cost is probably nearly £500 so certainly not all can afford it

^^ it was this that sounded like you were saying you went to finishing school (and hence too refined to 'understand festivals'). I read it the same way at first too, until I realised you meant after you'd left school .

Stone cold sober in the morning. You'll still be a snob.

Thanks for translating.

I'll be sober in the morning.
You'll still be a snob.