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Teenagers

Parenting teenagers has its ups and downs. Get advice from Mumsnetters here.

Original poster

Boom Town Concert

22 replies

Tinkerbell1987 · 10/02/2024 09:13

Hi , are any of your teens attending the Boomtown concert in Winchester this year ?
My DD is 17 and wants to go with a few friends she’s not keen on camping & I agree it would be better to get an air bnb
What are your kids doing for accommodation if they’re going ?

OP posts:
iffyi · 13/02/2024 14:31

I believe Boomtown is 18+ so i’d tell her to wait till next year.

Original poster
Tinkerbell1987 · 13/02/2024 17:51

Thanks for your reply have you or your kids been ?

OP posts:
Rebootnecessary · 13/02/2024 17:59

I live very near the Boomtown site, it would be tricky to get an airbnb nearby.

WhatNoUsername · 13/02/2024 21:26

Boomtown is a festival not a concert. It would be better to camp at a festival. You don't want be trekking in and out you'll lose loads of time and you'll lose some of the vibe/atmosphere. There are glamping options which would probably be better than being completely off site.

TheBunyip · 13/02/2024 22:01

Boomtown is very much a festival rather than a concert. More specifically a dance music focussed one with a particularly umm…hedonistic vibe

it’s a kind of nocturnal place so I’m not sure an air bnb would be of much use

Wowzel · 13/02/2024 22:05

There aren't really many non camping options nearby.

How "street smart" is she? There's a lot of drugs at Boomtown, I have friends on the medical team.

RockyRogue1001 · 13/02/2024 22:10

It is NOT a place for children

FormerlySpeckledyHen · 13/02/2024 22:13

Is this her first festival? If she’s not keen on camping either it’s probably not right for her. It’s a mad one.
Reading is better for her age, kids open their GCSE results and head straight there to celebrate/drown their sorrows.

Eve · 13/02/2024 22:13

Camping is the best option it’s quite a way from Winchester & traffic to it is a pain.

its also very druggy - DS has been a couple of times, it’s not a festival for 1st timers or younger age groups.

dimllaishebiaith · 13/02/2024 22:14

This is a very druggie, people having sex out in the open type festival

I really wouldn't have thought this was the best one for a 17 year old to attend

I have friends who are part of the crew/organisation and they are always a bit horrified at the youngsters who are allowed to go when they really shouldn't

malovitt · 14/02/2024 06:17

I had to drive down to collect my streetwise, festival experienced son from Boomtown a few years back. His drink had been spiked and he was very ill. There no way I'd let a 17year old go. I'm festival experienced and streetwise myself but it looked messy. I second letting first timers go to Reading.

Original poster
Tinkerbell1987 · 14/02/2024 09:01

Thankyou all so much for your informative replies their greatly Appreciated
Im pleased that I posted my concerns quite honestly I’m not happy with her going to this festival

OP posts:
MarvellousMidgeMaisel · 14/02/2024 09:12

Personally, I would not let my child go to Boomtown. DH works in the management side of festivals, refuses to get involved in this one.

Wictc · 14/02/2024 09:17

I’ve been and had a great time. Definitely camp, unless she’s planning on driving. I think if you leave then don’t let you in until a certain time. I popped back to my parents one day for a shower and it was a bit of a hassle.

I really enjoyed the festival, it was very chilled, music was great and it had a lovely atmosphere. There are drugs at most festivals and everyone should be wary of drink spiking, even in a bar in town.

waterrat · 14/02/2024 11:46

I have friends my own age (ie. over 40) who go to Boomtown and it is well known as mega mega intense and seriously druggy - they said all the young people are off their head on ketamine.

now - im not against young people experimenting (I grew up in the 90s rave culture) but if she isn't keen on camping I would suggest she isn't ready yet for such an intense festival!

waterrat · 14/02/2024 11:47

Also - it is unusual to stay off site at most festivals - maybe there are some where it's more common but generally the point is camping - so if she really isn't ready for that - she should look at city based festivals.

northernmamax · 14/02/2024 11:51

Hi.

I wouldn't say it's suitable for 17 year olds but it totally depends on what your parenting style is I would say...

I think it's 18+ too but I'm not sure.

I have been once 7 years ago and a lot of people are off their heads, more than if she'd went to Leeds fest or something like that. But the people are nice enough and they all do look out for each other.

But yes I agree with PP it's very druggy there. So it's up to you OP

CharlotteLightandDark · 14/02/2024 11:53

Boomtown had a really bad reputation a few years back as being way too messy/ketaminey and they’ve worked hard at cleaning it up a bit, they have a ‘family friendly’ area now but it’s still pretty wild which is pretty much the point of festivals isn’t it?

it’s got a creative performance art vibe and is great fun, I’ve always had a great time there and never felt unsafe at all.

It is 18+ though so she probably won’t get in this year anyway.

Floopyfloop · 14/02/2024 11:57

My friend is a police officer in the area it’s held in. He dreads it every year as there are always lots of drugs, assaults and other issues.
I would avoid.

tonyhawks23 · 14/02/2024 12:12

Boomtown has loads of fancy glamping/accomodation options, have a look at the website

Rosesanddaisies1 · 14/02/2024 12:13

Boomtown is a festival, I would never even consider going (and i love festivals), and no way I'd let a 17 year old go. There is very heavy drug use. I'd look for a day festival locally.

LoveAHamSandwhich · 14/02/2024 12:16

Boomtown should not be the first festival for a 17 year old. As a PP said, Reading Festival would be far more suitable.

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