Emerge festival Belfast Aug25

[MaybeOverProtective]

I posted this in Chat earlier but maybe it's better on this board so here we go.

We live in Ireland (south) DS wants to go to the Emerge Music Festival in Belfast in August. He will be 17.5 at that stage, so yes I know almost an adult! But me & DH are just anxious about it. I know that it's a rave festival so not like Glastonbury or Electric Picnic and we're really worried about drugs and possible trouble. He'd be going with a group of lads all around the same age (some will already be 18) but none of them have been to this before so they don't know the setup, they don't know the city and don't know anyone else there. We don't either so we can't advise on where to stay and how to get around etc. And I know the troubles are thankfully over in N. Ireland but I wonder if there is still a risk and they might end up in the 'wrong' area or annoy 'the wrong' people? He's not been in any trouble before but he is a bit of a messer/class clown. As we're in ROI the school system is different here he will be just about to go into his last year of secondary school and here we attend the same school for all of second-level so no 6th form colleges etc. I think probably compared to some boys of his age in UK he might be a bit more naive/immature?

So. Are we being over protective? Should we just let him go and deal with any issues if they arise? Or do we tell him no, not till he's 18 and then he can decide himself? (he's the eldest of 2 so we're learning, go easy on us!!)

We live just off Balmoral Avenue, 5 mins away from Boucher playing fields (where Emerge is held). It’s honestly a lovely, quiet and well off area and I’d have no issues whatsoever with DD attending. We listen from our back garden every year and it always sounds great!! There will be huge crowds around, usually walking up in the direction of Balmoral station so it will be difficult for him to get lost or wander into the ‘wrong’ area.

If it would make you feel more comfortable OP I’d be happy to serve as a point of contact in Belfast for you/him should anything go wrong. DD is 20 so I know how it feels!

Ditto to PP - it’s in a safe area and there are good public transport links nearby. There are always big crowds walking up to the trains after the event.

In terms of where to stay - premier inn at titanic would be a good location - easy to access from the train before and after the event (Balmoral to Titanic Quarter) and the hotel is then walking distance into the city.

Enterprise train now running every hour between Grand Central Station and Connolly. Alternatively there are several bus companies that do Belfast/Dublin runs and can be cheaper than the train. (Although the enterprise is about half the price of booked via Irish Rail rather than Translink)

Thanks so much, especially for the offer of being available if needed that is so kind.

Had a look at Premier Inn Titanic but unfortunately I think it will be out of budget for some of the group, they are hoping for a hostel or B&B. I'm not even at that stage yet as I'm still worrying about drink/drugs etc 😩

Whereabouts in Ireland are you OP? Usually tour companies put on coaches specifically for the festival. I always see lots of southern registration buses and minivans parked in and around the area on Emerge days. Definitely worth looking into. Accommodation isn’t cheap and public transport will be very busy, especially considering all of our local bus/train services stop at 11:30pm.

Just had a quick look and I’ve seen Emerge coaches from Newry, Sligo, Donegal & Dublin.

We're not in or near a city really (Wexford/Carlow border) so public transport isn't great and going up and back in a day wouldn't be feasible I don't think. None of them seem to have a clue so maybe if we stay out of it they'll not be able to arrange it properly and it will all be a null point!!

My eldest DS, now 19, went to this when he was about the same age (maybe just about 18). A group of kids going from around here arranged their own mini bus, we're just outside Dublin so not a far away as you but Dublin City wouldn't work for them. Like you I was worried but they had a great time no problems getting there and back. Would this be possible?

To be honest, I don't even ask about drugs.... I do have regular conversations with mine about the dangers and that I know drugs are out there so I ask them to please be sensible. I want to be open with them so they can come to me if needed, rather than try to hide things because they are afraid of my reaction.

I'd be 100% certain there would be drugs available at it.

Accommodations would be expensive during this event. There are a few hostels in Belfast but again I'd expect them to be busy.

As pp have said it's located in south Belfast. The further end of the road where it is is a loyalist area (the village as it is known locally). Might be best if they avoided walking there and stay on the Lisburn road.

Hi I was just looking for reviews also on this rave, as my son 17.5 is heading up with his friends they have booked accommodation to stay over. I am really worried as well about the rave, how safe is it and what is the security like.
I was going to go up and stay on the Sunday night so I’m there just in case. Can you recommend accommodation that would be in walking distance from the grounds that the rave is taking place at?

My friends son went last year when he was 17 she had the same concerns. However as her DS said, it’s not like usual concerts and people are just there for the music. He had a great time and didn’t see any trouble.
cant help with accommodation as they have had it booked since ticket purchased

@Charliekeogh a lot of stuff will be booked up. There’s not a lot within walking distance in terms of hotels but you might get an Airbnb focus on Balmoral Road / Lisburn Road area when searching.

Ive never really heard of there being issues at this concert- drink and drugs yeah but not it’s not “rough”.

I was driving in the area on Saturday at about 5 ish.
My dc are older and I’m glad as TBH I was shocked at the state of undress of the young girls - I must be getting old. I wouldn’t have wanted them at it.
I didn’t have a clue what was on and asked someone in another car when stopped in traffic.
There was a good police presence in the area.
Did your dc enjoy it @MaybeOverProtective ?