Hi guys,

My 8 year old loves the Sound of Madness and it's the first album he's learned most of the words of. I've bought tickets to see you in Manchester on the 4th of November - his first concert :-) This sounds ridiculous but just wanted to check you don't think he's too young for one of your concerts.

Looking forward to seeing you next month.

quote:

Originally posted by Flames Fan:
Hi guys,

My 8 year old loves the Sound of Madness and it's the first album he's learned most of the words of. I've bought tickets to see you in Manchester on the 4th of November - his first concert :-) This sounds ridiculous but just wanted to check you don't think he's too young for one of your concerts.

Looking forward to seeing you next month.

If not a perfect age, maybe younger. Wish my parents had the same taste in music, when I was young all I saw was Willie Nelson, Conway Twitty, and Kenny Rogers.... WTF mom and dad !!!!! Hope that he enjoys the concert!!!!

Flames Fan, I take my 5 year old and she LOVES it. Her first concert was at around 1, I think? It's in her blood. Haha

Enders, there's nothing wrong with those musicians!

Mel, you are the perfect parent hahahaha.

Nope. Not Mel. ME!

I think it is kick butt when parents take their kids to concerts, no matter what band or what type of music it is. All of you are great parents for letting them experience something as memorable as that. There is not one that I have been too that I have forgotten, and I have been going to them since I was about 3 or 4ish. Even the ones that I was not into, as previously post above, are still there, sketched into memory. Once again, I hope both of you have fun, which is pretty much guaranteed. Look around while your there, you might be able to get something signed for him!!!

Mel - I would never deny the three's ability to make music, move crowds, sell records, and sell-out arenas, but twang just ain't my thang. I did see Willie again this year, but he was always on my mind..

Thanks for the replies guys. Very excited to start sharing concerts with him. Just deciding what to take him to next!

I've been taking my son to concerts with me since he was 8. He will be 13 next week. He has been to 17 concerts so far. 10 of them being Shinedown. He really loves it when we are front row. I've turned him into my new concert pal! Enders I remember going to see all the old country acts as a kid as well. It didn't seem cool at the time but now as they are starting to pass away I'll have those memories with me.

Aaah, I remember my first show. I was 15, and I spent two weeks talking my mother into coming with me, since they wouldn't let you in if you were under 18 without a parent (once there, of course, there was no age control at all). Finally she agreed, though I had to pay her ticket and transport fees. It turned out to be an acoustic show, so I think she might have enjoyed it after all...

While I think it's cool to take your kids to shows, five years is to young in my opinion. They might enjoy it, but it is very loud, crowded, smokey, not to mention the drunks... Nothing like a playground. Plus concerts are usually in the night, which messes up their sleeping rhythm. And personnally, if I had a five year old standing next to me, front row - that would be like so not fun. How are you supposed to jump and mosh and headbang with a tiny kid at your side? Just no.

quote:

Originally posted by silhouettes:
Aaah, I remember my first show. I was 15, and I spent two weeks talking my mother into coming with me, since they wouldn't let you in if you were under 18 without a parent (once there, of course, there was no age control at all). Finally she agreed, though I had to pay her ticket and transport fees. It turned out to be an acoustic show, so I think she might have enjoyed it after all...

While I think it's cool to take your kids to shows, five years is to young in my opinion. They might enjoy it, but it is very loud, crowded, smokey, not to mention the drunks... Nothing like a playground. Plus concerts are usually in the night, which messes up their sleeping rhythm. And personnally, if I had a five year old standing next to me, front row - that would be like so not fun. How are you supposed to jump and mosh and headbang with a tiny kid at your side? Just no.

Totally understand what you're saying. B has her own hot pink headphones that she wears to shows. On the rare occasion that I forget them (I keep them in the car), I don't have a problem finding her earplugs. Her "Uncle Frank" even gave her his for one show. I don't take her to just any concerts though. She only goes to ones where I know the band. A lot of the time, it's the only time that she gets to see her "family." The Shinedown boys are fabulous to her and make sure that we're well taken care of. (She got her first pass at age 2.) The Scout Bar (where we see a lot of shows) people are too! They've let her stand between the barrier and the stage so that she can see. If we're not able to get into one of those spots, we stand out of the way. I don't take her to festivals. The bands, and most of the people at the shows, love seeing her there, and everyone watches out for her. Something about a little girl who is obviously there because she LOVES the music gets people's attention. Most people just stare at opening bands, but not her. She'll watch and rock out and throw horns. I have people come up to me and tell me how awesome it is that I take her to shows. I've had bands come ask if they can take photos with her. One band even decided that she was the new member, and took all of their band/fan photos with her in them. I wouldn't take her to see Cradle of Filth or anything, though she would love it and could hang, but she's been to quite a few shows.

She's seen Skindred a few times...her first time, Benji played the Sesame Street theme on his keyboard for her. When we see Anew Revolution, Frank comes over to where we're at and plays for her. We don't get in anyone's way, and don't stop anyone from moshing or rocking out. She rocks out harder than most of the people there anyway.

She knows that if we're going to a show, she's taking a nap before we leave. She adores music, and I'm not going to keep her from experiencing what she loves live because of her age. Shinedown was the first music that she heard...she was a few hours old when the rerun of the guys on one of the late night shows came on the tv in the hospital. I realize that she didn't understand at the time, but she was mesmerized. At her first show, we got to see the guys play acoustic before the show. She stared at Brent the whole time. She loves Zach and thinks that he's silly. She calls him her friend Zach.

A few people on here have been to shows that she's at, and I'm sure that they can tell you that she's not hindered their fun at all. She goes, she has fun, but she doesn't affect anyone else's fun. She's well behaved and respectful. She doesn't get in the way. She's in no way in any danger, and we're making memories. She's lucky in that she's had many opportunities that most people don't have. She understands this and that she's lucky. Honestly, I feel safer taking her to a concert than I do taking her to the mall. Rock fans here are like one big family, even if we don't know each other. We look out for each other. We've even had people build a human wall between us and the pit, if necessary. We never asked for it to happen, they just do it. At one Anew Revolution show, a guy who I don't even know stood next to us to do just that. We weren't in the way at all, but the pit kind of expanded. I thanked him afterwards, but didn't feel that was enough. I went and got the band to sign a poster for him, and gave it to him, to thank him. That's her "Uncle Frank" and I can guarantee you that he wanted her there. He's even told me, jokingly, that the only reason he leaves me tickets/passes is so that she can come.

While I understand what you're saying, and respect your opinions on the matter, I wanted to explain so that you can see it from my end and understand that she's in no danger, and that she doesn't ruin anyone else's fun.

Thanks for your answer, Mel. I just want to clarify that I did by no means intend to say that you're a bad mom or anything along those lines. I'm sure you're very responsible and that your daughter is having a good time at the shows.

As for the ruining of anyone else's fun, that shouldn't have come out as the central point of my argumentation. I was mainly concerned about the well-being of the kids (in general, not yours in particular ). I haven't seen any children at club shows so far, but at festivals. Which is much worse I'd say.

As long as not everybody's taking their kids to shows - after all, a club is not a playground - and while they stay out of the "wild zone" that's fine with me.

Hi guys,

OMG what a great show! I've been to a lot of concerts in my life but last night's in Manchester definitely ranked as one of the best. Josh loved it. We stood at the front but at the side so had plenty of room around us but Josh could still see the stage. The only downside for us was the time the guys came on. There were two support acts so they didn't come on until 9.30 so by 10.30 Josh was starting to wilt. He begged me to wait until they had played Call Me (his favourite song) and then we left. Hopefully the next time they come it wont be a school night :-) We had an hours drive home and listened to the boys all the way home! Can't wait to see them again. Totally hooked!

Hi Flamesfan, Im sure we were stood next to you, near one of the fire exits on the right. You said bye to my wife(the blonde lady) on the way out.

Your lad defo looked like he was ready for home.

Was a great show and cant wait for them to come back again.

Wow Mel i wish my mum was like you, i would love to see your little girl at a concert, you never know hun you might just have the next Lizzy Hale there !!!!
And Flamesfan im so glad your son enjoyed himself, ive found that most of my favorite bands come over to the UK and either play a show on a weeknight or in the winter ( i know its not their fault, just timing)last night we froze our butts off, we was soaked to the skin because of torrential rain, but you know i wouldnt have changed a thing!! i loved every single min of it !!

Take care
Love Jugs (Ann) xxxx