Age restrictions at gigs

[Nikomikiri]

Most of the concerts I've been to just do the x-on-your-hand thing at the door if there's a bar. The only concerts I like are bands like Styx so the content of the performance is never really a direct issue. The only concerts that I want to go to that have had age restrictions are Freezepop concerts. I still have yet to go to one because the only time they played near here I was only sixteen and the age limit was eighteen.

Tomorrow night Styx and Boston are at the Family Arena in St. Charles, and I get to go and not worry about being carded for drinking age or adult content. Woo for all-age concerts!

 

[l33tabix]

then its a shame for you because if you are 17 and you get asked for id then you suck
unless you are in one of the inferior countries where an age limit is 21, not sure about Aus

 

[Gooble]

For me in the UK, it's alright-most of the time under 14's need to be accompanied by an 18+, which seems fair enough, and places which are straight up under-18's not allowed, probably to do with either sale of alcohol, content or insurance.

 

[Programmed_For_Damage]

Funnily enough, age restrictions at gigs were how straight-edgers got their iconic black 'X' symbol. Many of the hardcore bands that made up the scene were underage, so club managers would draw black x's on their hands to indicate to bar staff they were to be served soft drinks only.

Not really on topic, but interesting all the same.

That's exactly what I was going to say. As a system I think it isn't a bad idea, especially if the under 18 ban is purely for alcohol serving reasons.

As for moshing, it's your call. A venue takes out insurance against itself by putting on the tickets "no moshing or crowd surfing allowed". People do it anyway but if you get f#&ked up, it's your problem. In 90% of the mosh pits I've been in (and we'd be talking triple figures) if someone goes to ground, about ten people reach down and pick them straight back up. I don't see possible personal injury as a reason to ban people under 18. Enter at own risk. Mind you if you were 13 it may have been advisable to give it a miss.

As someone who missed out on seeing Pop Will Eat Itself live because I was 17 at the time, I know the sting of missing out on a band you really want to see. In my case they broke up no long after and I never will see them live.

 

[newGunz]

i just think its dumb
and its not really dangerous like mosh pits
i do it
its fun if they get hurt its their own fault
music deserves to be enjoyed by all

 

[Rotating Bread]

I hate gigs without age restrictions, there's nothing worse than going to a gig and finding droves of 14 year old girls. Gigs (the ones in clubs anyway) are about enjoying the music and having a pint or 2, and children just spoil the atmosphere.

It's different at the large and/or open air concerts, but the increasing trend for 14+ rather than 18+ smaller gigs here in the UK is annoying.

 

[Eyclonus]

I'm 21 so no problems For Me!
In Australia once you hit 18 you get everything except a permit to use fireworks, and the ability to drive with blood in your alcohol.... But when you hit 21.........

Well actually one random place turned me down, I needed a drink badly (It was New Years) and they had a battle of the Bands playing, I was above the legal limit, but they turned me down. They had a minimum age of 25!?!
I checked back later, turns out it was a BDSM club that likes to provide light entertainment between sessions of "Heavy Entertainment"...

 

[mesh]

@ Heartagram

You actually WANT to see Disturbed after hearing their new album?
I felt dirty after listening to it, I'm glad i only borrowed it from a friend.

As for my opinion on age restrictions at concerts...

The only under 18's concert I went to had some of the craziest moshing I've seen, including a guy on crutches bashing the shit out of everyone around him, wheras at the all ages concert there was a naked guy crowd surfing.

In summation, it really depends on the band playing, the heavier the bands style, the heavier the goings-on at the concert will be.

btw: the under 18's concert was I Killed the Prom Queen and the all ages concert was Parkway Drive.

 

[barryween]

If they let anyone under 18 in they would be scared for life. Drunk from the Kool-aid, addicted to cigs and high from the brownies. also they would have seen many topless women they didn't want to see (and some they did :])
P.S. No, i dont belive this is how ALL concerts are. I just want to say they are crazy.

 

[BallPtPenTheif]

Venues make money in two ways

1) The promoter pays a fee to book the place for the evening
2) liquor sales & concessions

they could really care less about the actual ticket sales.

 

[HeartagramMan]

@ mesh
hmm true inside the fire is a good song.
although compared to songs like Ten Thousand Fists, Voices, Stricken and Land of Confusion.
yes the new album falls pretty short.
but what can i say, when comes to bands i like im a fanboy.