Reading Festival for teens

[womanofdulwich]

So 16 yr old wants to go to his first festival this summer- tickets seems very expensive- are there any specific things we should think about before saying yes- other than the usual ? I seem to remember there were some dodgy tickets one year?

[tiddles]

hmm we were having a discussion about this a few weeks ago with the parents of 16 year olds on this very subject. Apparently alot of the festivals are fine and there are lots of under 18s who go, but I particularly remember them saying that Reading is a bit hard core and perhaps and really not to be recommended. Amusingly some parents had read their child's text regarding this particular festival as a book event (which is how I read your post!!!)

might be worth a bit more research! Isn't there one up in suffolk which is meant to be quite good?

[womanofdulwich]

Tiddles- thanks- you know when they decide on something its hard to change their minds..... I had a feeling it was more hardcore too- but not sure why.Maybe I'll post in the lounge too.

[Fuschia]

http://www.mumsnet.com/Talk/teenagers/a1286158-Reading-festival

[verds]

V Festival is a less hardcore alternative, but it depends what music they're into. There's usually a one-day underage festival in London that has a good line-up. Reading can get a bit chaotic and muddy by the last day. I was 19 the first time I was allowed to go, and my dad made me take my wellies! Ah, that was a long time ago...

If he's a sensible type, it should be OK. Take no valuables, and arrange a meeting place with friends as you can't always rely on phone signals.

[sillywoman]

All the 16 year olds from Dulwich seem to be going to Reading this year. I know of about 25-30 who are going, so yours won't be alone!

I think that because of this you may be in for a hard time if you try to persuade him to look elsewhere. He'll naturally want to go where his friends are going. However you could take comfort from the thought that pretty much the whole GCSE population of Dulwich will be there, & perhaps there's safety in numbers?

I agree that ?300 is an awful lot for a teen to find. What a rip off.

[womanofdulwich]

Thanks silly woman. Of course you can't say no- if they have the money-its just the being sensible bit. I just want to make sure they look after each other- and get the tickets from a legitimate source.

[Ruth_Baldock]

?300?!? It was about ?90 when I went when I was 17 (10 years ago)

[Ann]

My daughter has been twice and loved it. My 16 year old son is going this year as are most of his friends, it seem to be the done thing these days after GCSE's.

Like others have said watch your valubles, take an old mobile phone or buy a cheap one- you can charge them on site. Wellies are a good idea as it does get very muddy!

Food wise there's plenty to choose from but probably not a bad idea to pack a few snacks.

I can't remember what we paid for the ticket but it ceratinly wasn't ?300.

[prickle]

Reading was the festival of choice for our nieces in their teens. I suppose it's the largest one local to London. Even my niece who does not do camping went several times so it couldn't have been too bad!

[Chippy Minton]

I went to Reading when I was 16, however this was several decades ago so times and the festival have changed!

However, I'd say it is an excellent 'first festival' - well stewarded/policed, the facilities are great, it's close to London and the festival itself is very central to the town - all great for teens.

[Bellenden Belle]

I suspect Reading is described as 'hardcore' precisely because it's where sixteen year olds go to 'mosh' - do kids do that nowadays? - in a lot of mud, without the niceties one finds at other festivals like V, Green Man, etc.

Quite frankly it's exactly the sort of festival I expect teenagers to go to - their time of attending festivals where they sit on the grass listening to grown up bands whilst flicking through the broadsheets will come. In the meantime let them enjoy the sweaty, exhausting yet exhilirating experience of it all.

[sillywoman]

I understand the ?300 is inclusive of return coach fare - like that makes a difference!

300 flippin quid - good God!

[GinaG3]

I'm a reading girl, born and bred! A lot of people outside of reading seem to see the festival different to how we always saw it. It was dubbed one of the worst festivals about 5-7 years ago and a fair few incidents were happening with drugs etc but police now have a overwhelming presence across the whole festival. I haven't heard of anything happening out of the ordinary for festivals for a few years now. Everyone has fun and enjoys themselves. It is very expensive but it's the next best thing to Glastonbury for a lot of people!

In another sense think yourself lucky. When my friends finished GCSES we all packed up and jetted off to Ibiza for 2 weeks parent free - woohoo. Now that was hardcore! Not to mention I needed nearly ?1500, I was working though!

I think so long as your teen is sensible and knows how to stay out of trouble and stay safe it should all be fine. If there is anyone there that's too drunk (I'm talking paralytic proportion - usually get dragged into medical tent though if had too much to drink) just try to steer clear, this is normally where the trouble erupts although normally gets dealt with swiftly. Best advice to give I think really.

Hope this has helped. Don't be worried. It is a highly supervised event and stewards are particularly vigilant of minors. Usually identifiable either by no over 18 wristband or by generally looking underage. There any people you can go to for assistance too should you need it.

[njc97]

In terms of parental advice - are they going with sensible friends? Are they mature enough to survive a weekend away (will they manage to feed themselves; can they cope with the crowds)? Have they got transport sorted? (it sounds like they have a coach included, that's a v good thing).

In terms of teenager advice - there's likely good "1st timer guides" at efestivals and the like. My top tips are: 1) someone WILL break into your tent and steal everything. Dont take valuables if you can avoid it. 2) Don't camp too near or far from the toilets. 3) Festivals are a really bad place to experiment with drugs/alcohol.

Overall, I wouldnt worry too much though. My first festival was at 17, supervising my 14 year old sister and friends who had won tickets. They loved it and didnt have any problems at all. I'm sure your son will be fine.

[njc97]

Sorry one more bit of advice - Kasabian are rubbish. Definitely go and see ATDI on the NME stage instead.

[philiphenslowe]

I went to Reading every year from 16-25 + I'm sure it will be fine. Loads of teenagers go, especially now it's viewed as a post-GCSE celebration. It's definitely aimed towards a younger crowd than a lot of the other festivals.