PJ show w/an infant - for those that have brought one, and for those who sat near someone who did

mwplum

I know there was a thread a few years ago about taking an 18 month old, and in just briefly revisiting that thread, I know there was a lot of criticism. 

In follow up to that thread, I'd like to know if anyone on here has actually taken a child less than 2 years old to a show, and if so, their experience? I have friends that have taken their young ones to shows like the Vancouver Folk Festival, and have had zero issues. I wonder what would be so different about PJ. It's not like its a Bon Iver show, where you might be able to hear the child over the music!

Fenway 1 2016 was a really special moment for both my wife and I, as the dedication of I've got a Feeling to my father really helped me get out of dark dark time. I quit drinking soon after, have been sober ever since, and we had our first child. As such, the prospect of taking my young one to the Fenway shows carries a lot of significance. Also, we would be flying from Vancouver to Boston for 4-5 nights, so a babysitter would essentially be out of the question.

Anyhow, I just wonder if anyone has taken their infant, and if so, their experience?
Or for those folks who have sat near someone with an infant, their experience (was it annoying, or was it okay?)

Our little guy is super chill, and tends to just nod off completely when he's around groups of people. We took him to 2 weddings this summer, and he slept through both (way beyond how long he'll usually nap for.) I feel like when he saw the amount of people, he must have been like "f-this, wake me up when it's over"(not too much unlike his parents, but unfortunately we don't have that benefit as adults). 

Just to clarify, I don't intend to hold him up like Simba or try and score a tambourine, I just want to keep him safe in a Baby Bjorn or similar carrier, with adequate noise cancelling headgear, and take him to the place that means so much to us.

I am prepared to get flamed, but really just want to hear from those that have brought an infant or sat beside one.

Thanks and best of luck to all of you with your ticket requests!

KC138045

For me personally I wouldn't bring a child that young to a concert but I would criticize anyone who did.  I get the significance of the Boston show and if you do bring your son I would go for reserved and stay away from GA.

mace1229

I was always a fan of Weezer, and when they were coming to Red Rocks I really wanted to go. But decided since we live 90 minutes away, the cost of a babysitter and 2 tickets wasn;t worth it. The day of the show we decided to drive up and see what it sounded like outside and just make a picnic. I've heard there are greats spots to sit and listed. We couldnt find one that didnt sound terrible, so after about 30 minutes we walked up the ramp with our 1 and 3 year old and got to the top and had great sound just outside the gates. After making small talk with the security guard for about 10 minutes she asked if  Iwanted to go in. I said no because I wasn't going to leave my wife and 2 kids, and she said to just take them all in.
SO there we were, about halfway through a Weezer show with a kid barely 1 years old. We hiked to the very back where it wasn't so loud and it was fine. We had to cover his ears on the way up because it was loud, but once we got to the top it was okay for him.
Other than about 100 dirty looks we got, I didn't think it was a big deal.
I'd never bring a kid that young to a show I paid for, it definitely took away from the experience worrying about his safety and keeping an eye on him, but I couldn't turn down an offer to be let in for free.

cp3iverson

This never goes well....  

If you dont bring them great
if you do —-bring ear protection and tend to their needs. 

The end

deadendp

At Wrigley, we were down from a mom and dad who brought a kiddo. Hand carry, but not an infant.  The kiddo was good, but they played the game of pass the baby all night long.  Since the seats on the field were just cable tied and not actually fastened to anything, we were all enjoying the show, the seats did not remain where they originally set them.  Bringing a baby would be a seated and standing event, so you should probably know that. 

I think that baby kid needs to hang back.  Taking the wedding experience and applying it/comparing it to PJ is like comparing apples and electric drills. I am the parent of a 14 year old only-but-not (she's adopted and has siblings elsewhere) and so that makes us a 3 piece family.  Kiddo has gone to all kinds of things with us but at that age, I personally would have never considered taking her.  (She slept through the 2006 Boston Marathon, having been transferred in and out of transport, up and down stairs . . . )  Certainly, you have to consider what is best for your family, but you know how this thread is going to go.  I think that you were best to go with the threads that have already been established because this one is going to be a rinse and repeat of the old. 

I could also be wrong, but I believe that baby kid would need a ticket. 

With whatever your decision, may you have a fabulous time at whatever show/s you attend! 

jmug23

Like the above poster said, i wouldn’t do it just because it’s out of my comfort zone and would have a hard time enjoying the show. That being said, if your comfortable with it and obviously feel like you can keep your precious cargo safe, why not. Obviously if for some reason your baby started to melt down and became a distraction to others, might be polite to move to tunnel or something so as not to distract others. Just a thought. Stoked you got that dedication and congrats on being in a much better place!!!

iOnlyownMymind

Oh boy.....

mwplum

Thanks, what I found about the old thread was it turned into more of a referendum on children and general opinions on parenting rather than hearing from real experiences. My hope is that with this one, we hear from some people who actually brought, or were seated near an infant.

MisterEtake2

Small children have no place being at a Pearl Jam show (or any confined concert for that matter) period.  The kids can't possibly enjoy it, it's harder for you to enjoy it, and it's disturbing to everyone around you.  Either find a babysitter or don't go to the shows.  That's the sacrifice you make as a parent. 

Spiritual_Chaos

wbutler29

I get it.  He won't remember it, but having some pics and you guys telling him stories about it will make him appreciate  as he gets older.  These guys aren't getting any younger and the thought process of waiting till he's older may not be an option. 

on2legs

I wouldn’t do it personally... but I won’t hate on you if you do.  Just remember to bring the ear protection. 

given2fly23

I've seen a lot of it lately at PJ shows and always think it must be traumatizing for the child, even with ear protection.  Dark, lights flashing, and loud thumping noises that they dont understand.  Even toddlers usually can't see or aren't interested.  In 2016 (Greenville I think) a woman was watching the show while her daughter was laying on the seats behind her miserable for 3 hours.  Mom couldn't have cared less.

vedpunk

I hope this is a joke.  Rediculous.

DewieCox

If you think you’ll be able to enjoy the show, it  won’t disturb other attendees, and are ok with the strong chance of being child being exposed to certain things then by all means....i think its really a show by show basis, with the vast majority not being conducive to it. I don’t like to say no, so I’m just gonna day “nah brah”.

AmishGuy91

Really depends on if you care more about going to a Pearl Jam concert than being a good parent.  Find a babysitter and you can do both.  

2-feign-reluctance

You can make it work if you truly have no family or friends that could step in & take care of your little one. We took our 10 month old to Australia years ago. An evening out for a show is nothing IMO. If I had nobody to help me I’d do it. If I had someone to help me, I wouldn’t. I’d take advantage of the ever dwindling alone time you get to spend with your partner. 

hihobibo

I have a 6 year old who loves Taylor Swift. She'll be 7 when she comes to Tampa on tour this year,  and I still had no thoughts of getting her a ticket to go with my wife and I. Kids do not belong at concerts. When she turns 15, she can go to whatever shows she wants, but with the amount of entertainment made for kids, they don't need to be at events for teens and adults. I've skipped many events in the past 9 years once I had kids because I didn't think I should leave them to do something selfishly fun for myself.

JimmyV

I would be very uncomfortable if I got to my seats at a rock concert and there was someone sitting next to us with a baby in their arms.

Merkin Baller

iOnlyownMymind said:

Oh boy.....

Agg

MisterEtake2 said:

Small children have no place being at a Pearl Jam show (or any confined concert for that matter) period.  The kids can't possibly enjoy it, it's harder for you to enjoy it, and it's disturbing to everyone around you.  Either find a babysitter or don't go to the shows.  That's the sacrifice you make as a parent. 

Agreed, especially with the bolded. Someone in my section at one of the stadium shows brought their infant and spent the whole show annoying their row by going back and forth attending to the baby's needs. It makes it uncomfortable for everyone around you.