Kids at Concerts - Page 2

DrummerDeanna · #16 09-20-2003, 04:38 PM

I've gotta be honest...it really kind of irked me that there were such small children in the front rows....there were a lot of kids at the El Paso show...many of which didn't seem at all interested in what was going on....the little girl next to me was named Rhiannon...spelled (Reannen) and wore a shirt that said that...they sat there like dead people until Stevie sang Rhiannon then the kid waved...it was weird....and I was like...all these people paid 100+ for these kids to go...a babysitter would be much more affordable in my opinion...I don't feel that rock concerts are the proper place for children...

sodascouts · #17 09-20-2003, 07:04 PM

Yeah, my friend took her son to a Stevie concert. He was 5, and it was a HUGE mistake. He was OK at first, but after about an hour he got bored and wanted to go home. When she told him no, he threw a temper tantrum and she had to take him outside. She missed 2 songs and didn't have fun for the rest of the night.

The loud volume, the noisy crowds, the drunk people.... not the place for a young child. (Also, remember the subject matter of some of these songs. It's true she won't understand the sexual references, but "The Chain" has cussing in it, for instance.) And I have to agree with Deanna that the front row would be better served with an excited FM fan who is old enough to TRULY appreciate the music than a little child who just likes to sing along.

It's great that your little one loves FM, but I think that a special viewing of the DVD of "The Dance" (maybe with the lights off and you guys cheering, like a 'real' concert) is a better idea for her, for you, and for everyone else.

Just my two cents!

diamondsnake · #18 09-20-2003, 09:21 PM

Maybe wait a tad longer. I only just turned 15 and went to my first Fleetwood Mac concert a few months ago. It was the best experience of my life! I loved it! I think some people next to me were very suprised I knew every word to every song, even the new songs that had only been out for a month or two!

Anyway, I don't think I could have really appreciated the whole thing if I was less then say 10 years old. The reason is, I had been to a few concerts before that age which I can only remember a few things about. On top of that, I am horrified to say that I ever went to a SPICE GIRL concert and apparently enjoyed it!

Maybe wait for Stevie to do her next solo album and tour in a few years and you can see if she still wants to go. By then, she will be past the crying stage and be able to enjoy the show a little more.

Also, I compeletely disagree with sitting in the front row. Did you hear about how a huge fight starting during Goodbye Baby last month, in the front row? I would not want a child to witness that.

pberry · #19 09-20-2003, 11:00 PM

Wow. I'm really grateful for all the responses. It's because of the loudness and the drinking that I began to have second thoughts. I'm less concerned about the cost of the ticket or the possibility of having to leave a bit earlier. I've been to sooo many wonderful shows this tour that it would not be the end of the world if i missed a bit of one.

We fans want to share our joy with everyone (our partners, our children, our pets--just joking). Lassie twirls with Stevie in the first row...

I like the idea of the "home concert" with my daughter.

We do have the ticket already to Bridgeport. And we're going to Jones Beach and the Garden childless. The Bridgeport seat is a very good seat right above the floor in front of the stage, 2nd row. If we do take her, we'll pack ear plugs and let you know.

Thank you.

teedee · #20 09-21-2003, 03:27 PM

I think its great when young children show an interest in music. but i think anyone under the age of 12 or maybe 10 the youngest should not be brought to a show. and if you do take your child a good seat should be considered. i was once at a concert on the floor and i am very short the guy next to me was like 6 ft 5in, he said stand on your chair you will be as tall as me, so i did , because everyone else was standing on there chairs to, just to see. then i felt a tug on my shirt from a woman two rows behind me, telling me to sit down cause her little son couldnt see. at first i felt bad cause he couldnt see, but neither could i. why did you bring a little kid who was gonna not be able to see anything and who was surrounded by adults. he was probably old enough to enjoy the show , but he should of been in the lodge or the balcony with a good view.in my opinion that would be a good seat for a youngster. if he is in the front row, then all the power to him, but i do think that kids who are too young like 4 yrs old is a big mistake its an adult show. I think it would ruin the parents time as well.

gypsysara · #21 09-22-2003, 03:19 PM

Ive taken my children (now 10 & 12) to a music festival each July 4th holiday that runs for 4 days & nights long... they LOVE it and wouldnt trade it for anything. We've gone for the last 5 years.

Ive also taken them to a few arena style (a'la FM) shows. While the drunks are an issue you have to work with, usually people are respectful of young kids and will go out of their way to make room for them. At least from my experience they have. Id rather prefer to take them to a camping-festival or an outdoor venue vs. an indoor place. My preference to the vibe of course.

EARPLUGS ARE AN ABSOLUTE M U S T!!!!!

Id taken my daughter "Sara" (well its her middle name!) to see FM last time around (she knows ALL the songs and LOVES Stevie) but tickets were soooo much.

BlueGrass · #22 09-22-2003, 04:59 PM

I was 11 when I went to see the Mac open in Hartford. I wasn't scared then...but when I was in Madison Square Garden I started freaking out when The Chain started. I dunno why, maybe cause it was inside, it was dark and more people.

pberry · #23 09-22-2003, 06:20 PM

I went to Jones Beach last night, ended up in the very front, and there were quite a few children there. Most around 10. Not 3 1/2. But I was pleased to see how much they were enjoying it. The father in the front at Jones Beach was experienced. He had a blanket and was very loving. He and his daughter left after Silver Springs. I think it was a success for him. I didn't see any younger children there..

leftylinn · #24 09-23-2003, 09:41 AM

I can't believe there are those who think they can monitor who see's Fleetwood Mac and who doesn't. The only people who have ever bothered me at a concert were adults. I took my neice 15 and nephew 13 who have been Fleetwood Mac fans since birth. For the first few years of their little lives they did not think any other music existed. They loved it!!! As for the even younger kids, its not like we are sitting in church trying to be quiet and reverent, this is a concert for chris' sakes!!! Brand new baby crying, now that would just be silly to bring. But I remember a lot of things when I was 3, and fleetwood mac would be something I remembered! I say rock on whatever your age-

gypsysara · #25 09-23-2003, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by leftylinn
I can't believe there are those who think they can monitor who see's Fleetwood Mac and who doesn't.

Nah I dont take it that way... someone was asking for peoples opinions. Its unrealistic to think one could "monitor" such things in a literal sense. Some people dont like seeing kids @ shows. I probably felt that way at one point myself.

Gypsy-Rhiannon · #26 09-23-2003, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by leftylinn
I can't believe there are those who think they can monitor who see's Fleetwood Mac and who doesn't. The only people who have ever bothered me at a concert were adults. I took my neice 15 and nephew 13 who have been Fleetwood Mac fans since birth. For the first few years of their little lives they did not think any other music existed. They loved it!!! As for the even younger kids, its not like we are sitting in church trying to be quiet and reverent, this is a concert for chris' sakes!!! Brand new baby crying, now that would just be silly to bring. But I remember a lot of things when I was 3, and fleetwood mac would be something I remembered! I say rock on whatever your age-

Um... who's monitering? Opinions were asked for and they have been given.

Pip

TwoTricky · #27 09-23-2003, 12:24 PM

Yikes!!!

Nobody was telling anyone what to do really....ultimately it's the parents choice...they know their children better than anyone...

However, pberry asked for our opinions and we gave them!!

No harm done...back to the love y'all!!!

pberry · #28 09-23-2003, 01:06 PM

Leftylinn, I was the one who asked for advice and have been grateful to learn people's experiences and opinions. I don't think anyone is trying to be big brother. Certainly this is a parent's choice.

Since I already bought the extra ticket to Bridgeport and talked to my daughter about it, I've decided to go for a few songs at least. This is my sixth concert so far during this tour. If she enjoys a few songs, I will be happy. In the future, FOR ME, I'll leave her home, as my sense is now that 3 1/2 is too young. The excitement at the concerts, I suspect, could be frightening. At Jones Beach, I saw a young girl look in shock as one women who kept on screaming at StevieÉthe most screeching of sounds. (i was afraid too; maybe stevie was too.) My sense is that older children, depending on the child, could find the experience enjoyable.

Thanks again everyone. I'll keep you posted.

Patrick

leftylinn · #29 09-24-2003, 11:56 AM

I apologize to everyone about my earlier comments on "monitoring" I guess I get a little passionate about children and Fleetwood Mac. As I was a fan of their music since I can remember. I sat so far back at their concert where everyone was able to see, there were no drunks or crazy acting people so it seemed a very good environment, unlike what some have you have experienced. I wish the pot smokers had left their stuff at home, I didn't care for that. My comments were mainly in response to the person who was saying they didn't like others bringing their kids, not anyone asking for advice or suggestions.