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Kids at Shows

Monkey WrenchMonkey Wrench Posts: 104
edited August 2009 in The Porch
What are people's thoughts on kids at shows?

I have tix for this Fri at TO and on Sunday in CHI. My son who is only seven, almost 8 really wants to go. He loves PJ and asks everytime I go to a show if he can come. Being that I have tix for 2 shows the wife even suggested it. My wife who is coming to CHI with me is cool with it. They are 10C seats so with it being reserved seating I am not too concerned. I am also pretty relaxed about some of the "things" that might go in the seating area.

Thoughts? How would having a young fan in your vicinity impact your concert going experience?

Thanks for your thoughts?
Monkey Wrench

Molson Park, Barrie - Aug 92
CNE, Toronto - Aug 93
Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto - Sep 96
Molson Park, Barrie - Aug 98
Air Canada Center, Toronto - Oct 00
Copps Collesium, Hamilton - Sep 05
ACC, Toronto - Sep 05
ACC - Toronto - Tour Launch - Show I - May 06
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Post edited by Unknown User on
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Comments

  • Bird889Bird889 Posts: 423
    my son's first show was at age 11 at State College in 2003.

    if you have floor seats he may have difficulty seeing, unless he stands on his chair.

    I'd say go fo it, as long as he understands that you are not leaving early, no matter how tired he is.

    oh yeah, bring a paid of ear plugs just in case.

    Enjoy.
    Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of
    arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to
    slide in sideways, BBQ sandwich in one hand, cold beer in the other,
    body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "Woo Hoo what a
    ride"!
    Unknown

  • BeerBaronBeerBaron Toronto-ish Posts: 4,097
    7 or 8 might be a decent age where he can actually enjoy the music, but only you would know that.

    It drives me crazy when people bring young kids - 3 or 4 years old - to shows...
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  • 100 Pacer100 Pacer Toronto, ON Posts: 9,077
    Bird889 wrote:
    be sure to bring earplugs and have your child/ren wear them.

    fixed,...
    To quote the 10C from Newsletter #8: "Please understand we have a lot of members and it is very hard to please everybody. If you are one of those unhappy people...please call 1-900-IDN-TCAR."

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  • prsntnseprsntnse Posts: 155
    You can get there a little early, scan the crowd and swap your ten club seats w/ someone who is on the aisle a little further up. I did this last year in mansfield w/ my girls 8 and 11 at the time, and it worked out great.
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  • RideRickRideRick Hoorn Posts: 703
    BeerBaron wrote:
    7 or 8 might be a decent age where he can actually enjoy the music, but only you would know that.

    It drives me crazy when people bring young kids - 3 or 4 years old - to shows...

    Saw someone in Rotterdam with a little child inside a Bugaboo... that's much to young but who am i to not let them in...
    | Pinkpop 1992 *BEST EVER*  | Rotterdam 1993 | Amsterdam 1996 | Pinkpop 2000 | Arnhem 2006 | Nijmegen 2007 | Rotterdam 2009 | Nijmegen 2010 | Amsterdam I + II 2012 ** | Amsterdam Eddie Vedder Solo 2012 First European Concert *EPIC*| Amsterdam I + II 2014 | Amsterdam Eddie Vedder Solo 2016 night I  | Amsterdam I + II 2018 | Amsterdam I -> Canceled  +  II 2022 *EPIC
  • Gozzo64Gozzo64 Posts: 120
    edited August 2009
    I took my 10 year old son to Hamilton in 2005. He enjoyed it, believe it or not he slept through a part of pj set but was totally into it with some fist pumps during ritfw...had no problems with seeing the show...the only problem was the total space cadet that lit up a joint beside my son and only butted out when he realized this...young punk with not a clue...my son didn't notice fortunately.

    that being i made sure he had industrial strength hearing protection i.e. big yellow 'ear muffs'...

    have taken my 10 year old daughter to sheryl crow last year at the amphitheatre with the same 'ear muffs' and will be taking my 9 1/2 year old daughter to PJ this friday in Toronto...she is daddy's girl and has totally absorbed PJ as her band...will have the ear muffs in hand for her as well....

    any point here, none really other than i have waited until the kids were about 10 before bringing them to a show...

    regards
    Post edited by Gozzo64 on
    Gozzo
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  • FlaggFlagg Posts: 5,856
    My 11 year old son is going Sunday. The wait is killing him.
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  • curmudgeonesscurmudgeoness Brigadoon, foodie capital Posts: 4,007
    We took our boys, then nine and eleven, to Mansfield last year. They had a great time. We prepared them -- took earplugs, warned the obsessive-compulsive one that people would be smoking -- and things went great. The people around us were cool about -- asked before lighting up, not that we would have raised a fuss. I certainly appreciated the reminders last year to wear earplugs; don't forget them!

    The boys are going with us to all four Philly shows, and they cannot wait! :D
    All those who seek to destroy the liberties of a democratic nation ought to know that war is the surest and shortest means to accomplish it.
  • pjamaholicpjamaholic Posts: 1,225
    SG72078 wrote:
    I took my 10 year old son to Hamilton in 2005. He enjoyed it, believe it or not he slept through a part of pj set but was totally into it with some fist pumps during ritfw...had no problems with seeing the show...the only problem was the total space cadet that lit up a joint beside my son and only butted out when he realized this...young punk with not a clue...my son didn't notice fortunately.

    that being i made sure he had industrial strength hearing protection i.e. big yellow 'ear muffs'...

    have taken my 10 year old daughter to sheryl crow last year at the amphitheatre with the same 'ear muffs' and will be taking my 9 1/2 year old daughter to PJ this friday in Toronto...she is daddy's girl and has totally absorbed PJ as her band...will have the ear muffs in hand for her as well....

    any point here, none really other than i have waited until the kids were about 10 before bringing them to a show...

    regards

    Dont worry about yr 10 year old sleeping through part of a set. I have to admit my 9 yr old did the same back in '03! Only for a few minutes, but they do get tired at that young age. That being said, she thoroughly enjoyed her first PJ experience and came to see them with me in '06 again. Now she and I are coming up to Sydney in November and my 14 yr old is coming with me to Adelaide. My 15 year old may like some crap music at times but she still loves PJ!!! Keeps bugging me to get her another t-shirt....

    She didn't need to wear muffs or earplugs when she came with me to the first concert, but we were a fair way back then. I do suggest to anyone out there who's thinking of bringing a young one along to get a pair of ear plugs, it really can be loud to a kid's ears. That's if you're up the front. If you're a fair way back, it doesn't matter so much.
  • cincybearcatcincybearcat Posts: 16,611
    As for bringing kids...depends on the kid right?

    But, as other have mentioned, buy the kid some ear muffs. Ear Muffs are best for younger kids (better than ear plugs). I would also shoot for something that had a NRR of 30+ if you can find it in a muff.
    hippiemom = goodness
  • Tuolumne MamaTuolumne Mama Posts: 1,210
    Since each child is different, you are the best one to make that call. I waited until my son was 12 for an indoor show and he was fine. Since he's played guitar since 6, Mike had him totally mesmerized. He too had asked to see E-dee & Purr Jam each year since he was 3 (what he used to call them). Any earlier, I think he would have been too distracted by everything going on around him. If you feel she is ready then go for it. Good luck and enjoy.
    He was completely hooked and Philly 3 & 4 are # 4&5 for him.
    ======================================================================
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  • Jack StrawJack Straw Posts: 92
    Bring him!!! I am dying to bring my little guys, unfortunately they're gonna have to wait some years being almost 2 and 7 months. What a great first concert! He'll never forget it.
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  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,887
    Monkey Wrench wrote:
    What are people's thoughts on kids at shows?

    I have tix for this Fri at TO and on Sunday in CHI. My son who is only seven, almost 8 really wants to go. He loves PJ and asks everytime I go to a show if he can come. Being that I have tix for 2 shows the wife even suggested it. My wife who is coming to CHI with me is cool with it. They are 10C seats so with it being reserved seating I am not too concerned. I am also pretty relaxed about some of the "things" that might go in the seating area.

    Thoughts? How would having a young fan in your vicinity impact your concert going experience?

    Thanks for your thoughts?
    Bring the kid, absolutely...You should be able to do a concert with your child.

    And just hope the guy sitting next to you doesnt feel he has the right to spark up 12 joints throughout the concert.

    Or hope the guy next to you didnt kill a fifth of Jack Daniels in the parking lot before the show.
    Take me piece by piece.....
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  • DeLukinDeLukin Posts: 2,757
    A pearl jam show is NOT the place for a kid under 12, IMO. I may be overly-protective, but if they've never been exposed to some of the stuff that goes on at a PJ show, why would YOU want to be the one that introduces them to it. Whether or not you're getting plastered or using bad language yourself, etc. you make it cool to them by condoning it. Kids grow up fast enough as it is, I don't think it's my job as a parent to seek out ways to strip away their innocence faster than the world will eventually...
    I smile, but who am I kidding...
  • EvergreenEvergreen Posts: 492
    I think it depends on the kid and the act. I took my kid to outdoor festival and such, easy going ones...jam bands and such, when he was 7 or so. Pearl Jam, not until he was 13 and knew he would appreciate the music and could deal with the atmosphere. You will know when the time is right. Just make sure the time is right. I have a HORROR story from seeing the Black Crowes a couple of years ago...a drunk guy had two kids there that were not AT ALL into the show and were throwing balls, yelling and shit. It totally ruined me getting into the show. They were right in front of me.

    To be honest, I do "act" differently when I am around a kid at a concert. I am not saying that is a bad thing, because I LOVE to some some open minded parents exposing their kids to good music, but I don't light up as openly or act as fangirly as usual. :D

    My son is 21 now, and we are going to the Austin show together. He has a wide range of musical tastes and it is a big part of his life. Lord knows music has saved me. So, that said, I am happy to have carried him to lots of concerts. He is open minded and a free spirit, and I blame that on the music!
  • FlaggFlagg Posts: 5,856
    Peole act like going to see pj is some big risk where the kid is going to get hurt or something. Please, Pearl Jam has a about the tamest crowds I have ever seen. Especially indoors in basketball arenas.
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  • starmap3333starmap3333 Posts: 3,925
    7 is a fine age to go to a concert with an adult... 6 MONTHS IS NOT.

    The impact on a 7 year olds life from seeing a concert is paramount... he'll love music forever and, especially, pearl jam :)
  • PureandEasyPureandEasy Posts: 5,818
    As long as you as the parent are responsible for watching your own child, I have no problem with it. I’ve been to shows where the parents pawn the younger child off to the older child (neither being older than 10) and it was a disaster. If parents bring kids to shows, they need to be responsible for their well being.

    At a Who concert, I saw what appeared to be a 6 year old dragging his 3 year old brother up the stairs after apparently having taken him to the rest room - unaccompanied by an adult and having to find their parents again among the thousands of people on the lawn.

    That is totally unacceptable. I was pretrified for both little boys.
    Don't come closer or I'll have to go
  • Monkey WrenchMonkey Wrench Posts: 104
    Thanks for everyones input. It is much appreciated. There was some good advice in there ie. ear plugs which I probably would have overlooked because I don't attand a concert myself thinking I might need them but hey ......thanks to all those that mentioned it.

    As for the sparking up.......I am pretty open minded and although I don't myself I understand this is a part of the concert going experience for many. Someone mentioned not wanting to be the ones to expose their kids to it. I am sort of from the opposite school of thought here I guess. At least if I am there and he asks I can explain it in whatever why I choose as opposed to him having no knowledge and being exposed by someone who might be encouraging it at some other event where I probably will not be in a few years. I suppose I am also hoping that just maybe he will be so naive he won't even ask. My seven year old has seen people smoke and just views it at this stage as somethinig he shouldn't do. He might mention the smell but beyond that in the eyes of a seven year old ....it's probably just "smoking".

    Thanks again folks.....

    Oh and yes I plan on being the one to be responsible for my boy. His other sibling will not be there ...to young at 3.
    Monkey Wrench

    Molson Park, Barrie - Aug 92
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  • ofthegirl75ofthegirl75 New Jersey Posts: 315
    My daughter is 13, and I don't think she is ready yet. Too much smoking and drinking IMO. She went to see No Doubt and I was sure to point out all the drunk girls acting stupid (getting in fights, getting kicked out,puking). So. I tried to show her what NOT to do at a show.But, it depends on the kid I guess. Plus she doesn't want to go anyway.
  • kiljoythemercifulkiljoythemerciful Posts: 549
    Kids? Keep your kids at home old people!

    I don't want some creepy 7 year old ruining the spiritual peak I'm gonna hit when the shrooms kick in right about the time they pull out No Way early in set one Chicago.

    I guess if they are down with shrooms, I could stand them.
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,887
    edited August 2009
    kiljoythemerciful wrote:
    Kids? Keep your kids at home old people!

    I don't want some creepy 7 year old ruining the spiritual peak I'm gonna hit when the shrooms kick in right about the time they pull out No Way early in set one Chicago.

    I guess if they are down with shrooms, I could stand them.
    hahahahahahahaha..............

    and whats sad....

    Is I believe you are serious....

    hehehehehe...............

    Dont bring your kids!!!! Cuz Im gonna be tripping on mushrooms!!!!!

    hahahahahahaha...............
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • Mcam55Mcam55 Posts: 1,407
    kiljoythemerciful wrote:
    Kids? Keep your kids at home old people!

    I don't want some creepy 7 year old ruining the spiritual peak I'm gonna hit when the shrooms kick in right about the time they pull out No Way early in set one Chicago.

    I guess if they are down with shrooms, I could stand them.

    hahah best post ive ever seen.
  • U R A Crazy BreedU R A Crazy Breed Posts: 8,370
    make sure your kid is old enough to handle a contact high....cause i'm the guy who's right it is to spark 12 joints (more like 3 speedy) during the show!

    I took my daughter to her first concert..PJ in 06..when she was 13..i have seen people with like 8 year olds and that's just too young imo
  • SPEEDY MCCREADYSPEEDY MCCREADY Posts: 25,887
    U R A Crazy Breed wrote:
    make sure your kid is old enough to handle a contact high....cause i'm the guy who's right it is to spark 12 joints (more like 3 speedy) during the show!

    I took my daughter to her first concert..PJ in 06..when she was 13..i have seen people with like 8 year olds and that's just too young imo
    This is just a question....Because I dont care how many joints you spark...

    Just a question....

    If you have the right to spark up 3 joints.....

    Does that give me the right to call security, have you escorted out of the venue, handcuffed by police, and thrown in jail?
    Take me piece by piece.....
    Till there aint nothing left worth taking away from me.....
  • TransplantedNewfTransplantedNewf Posts: 805
    PJ shows are all ages.
    I brought my 6 month old to Calgary and she's cominng to Vancouver with me too. As long as she's in my arms, i don't see how it affects anyone else, imo. She'll have headphones on so her ears are well protected.

    As for the smoke, Arenas are non-smoking. You light up next to me and apparently i'm horrible for having my kid there? ...IT'S AGAINST THE LAW TO SMOKE INSIDE. I don't get how i'm made out to be the bad one fro bringing my kid.
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  • demetriosdemetrios Posts: 94,210
    Only thing that would stop me to bring young kid's to the rock show is the mass smoking. Their little ear's will be well protected. Just their health of being there taking in the smell, sucks. :(

    I'm against smoking inside @ the show's. I'm against smoking, period. That's just me. It's gross & sick. If it's an outdoor event, smoke your life away. But indoor's, those vent fan's from above can only take in & do so much. Plus theres way to many rude people out there that don't care who's next to you before they light up; plus they don't even ask if it's ok to light up. Read the sign's before entering the show. "No Smoking!" So what does that mean? No Smoking. The mind & knowledge of these 3 year olds are smarter then those grownups this day of age. :lol:
  • Monkey WrenchMonkey Wrench Posts: 104
    kiljoythemerciful wrote:
    Kids? Keep your kids at home old people!

    I don't want some creepy 7 year old ruining the spiritual peak I'm gonna hit when the shrooms kick in right about the time they pull out No Way early in set one Chicago.

    I guess if they are down with shrooms, I could stand them.

    I suppose that is a fair comment. However .....to call me old would imply I have been listening to the band since you were in diapers. I suppose.

    As I said I am pretty open minded about stuff like that. It is however a shame to think "that a 7 year old could "ruin your spiritual peak" Perhaps you should bring more shrooms. Or is it simply the peak is not that high?!?!?!?!?!
    Monkey Wrench

    Molson Park, Barrie - Aug 92
    CNE, Toronto - Aug 93
    Maple Leaf Gardens, Toronto - Sep 96
    Molson Park, Barrie - Aug 98
    Air Canada Center, Toronto - Oct 00
    Copps Collesium, Hamilton - Sep 05
    ACC, Toronto - Sep 05
    ACC - Toronto - Tour Launch - Show I - May 06
    Chicago, IL - August 2009
    East Troy WI - Sept 3 & 4 2011 - PJ TWENTY
    Toronto, Ontario - Sept 11, 2011
    Dublin, Ireland - June 2010
    Belfast, Ireland - June 2010
    Buffalo, NY - Oct 2013
    Toronto, Canada - May 2016
  • tacettacet Posts: 323
    Eddie loves kids.
    I've even seen him pull some up on stage.
    I'm surprised more kids aren't at PJ shows.
    we're all sentient snowflakes
  • demetriosdemetrios Posts: 94,210
    SS25454 wrote:
    Eddie loves kids.
    I've even seen him pull some up on stage.
    I'm surprised more kids aren't at PJ shows.

    I'm surprised too! To share the Pearl Jam experience "live" with your young son/daughter is the greatest feeling. Youth is king. They will never forget these day's; you won't forget them too! :)
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