Taking the kids?

[Plastic Paddy]

I have been thinking about taking the kiddies to see the Pogues and have noticed couple of threads indicating others have done so. Were the expereinces pleasant? I also saw loads of children at Manchester.

Mine are 10 and 6 and although they like to tell me they don't like the Pogues they seem to enjoy singing all the words!

Do venues charge young uns full price. In the event of another tour I don't think I coudl resist taking them

[Eric V]

Had the same idea. Mine is 5 and loves the Pogues. I'm going to the 9:30 Club (hock....spit) in D.C. Not only will the scene be out of control, but I will be as well (in a 40ish kind of way). Not sure I want to expose her to that, nor do I want to have to look after her as closely as I know I would have to. Plus the smoke is thick. Can't speak for the womens' bathroom... sure they have their fancy couches and fluffy chairs.... but the mens room florr floweth with urine by 11:00, and would be packed with very focused swearing Pogues fans saying fuck, and shite, and bastard, and bloody a lot... and she would no doubt want toi engage them in conversation... and I'm just not prepared to have my daughter be known as the pride of the 9:30 club mens room. So, if I were you I'd leave the wee little ones at home and go out and paint the town green.

[neilinseattle]

Aside from the potentially awkward social issues pointed out in the previous post, if you do I would suggest providing the wee ones with hearing protection (earplugs, etc.).

I went to a Midnight Oil concert years ago and Peter Garrett stopped the show when he spotted two parents near the front had brought a very young child to the show without any ear protection. He scolded them in front of over 10,000 people and wouldn't continue until the child was removed.

[Eric V]

Awsome. Kids aint props.

[Kilkenny Cat]

I think it really depends on the band. I've seen the Pogues many times over the years and they attract a really diverse crowd, anyone from 10 year olds to 70 year olds. Another band with similar demographics are the Levellers who always pull in a really mixed crowd with plenty of parents taking their children along. Everyone looks out for each other.

I would hesitate though taking kids along say to a Oasis gig where the audience tends to be very male orientated 20 to 30 something (sorry for generalising).

Plastic Paddy, the best option would be to take the kiddies along to something like the Guildford Festibval where the Pogues played this year. This was very family orientated and as in the open air avoided exposing children to smoke etc.

The noise debate I find interesting. There have been a few posts on here this week referring to earplugs etc. To be honest most of my friends complain that gigs aren't as aloud as they used to be ! We're all probably going deaf !.

What I find really annoying these days is people talking during gigs. When I first started going to gigs I'm sure the sound was loud enough so people couldn't talk and had to listen.

Mr Chevron...are the sound levels lower these days than in the past ?

[Eric V]

Yes, an open air gig is different. And I hear you on the age differential, but at a small club like I'm going to, there really is no chance to get out of teh mix. I would jump at the chance to take my kid to an open air concert to see someone worth seeing. I'm holding out for HI Hi Puffy Yammi Yummi... but its not looking promising these days. (no, seriously, I like their innocent Japanese punk/metal music that is toned down for cartoons... I'm thinking they might get wild live).

[stuart_S]

I took my son to see the pogues at brixton in 2001 when he was seven, and he's now seen them 4 times. 3 brixton shows and once at Guilfest. He afores them,and used to skip into nursery when he was three singing Streams of Whiskey!

have to say, security and the rest of the crowd at all three brixton shows have been superb with him.

[stuart_S]

I would hesitate though taking kids along say to a Oasis gig

I would hesitate in going to an Oasis gig on any grounds!

[bellybarker]

Hi Plastic,

my two kids are 10 and 8 and this was the second Manchester MEN gig they have been to. The first year we thought they might be a little out of water, but they absolutely loved it. Both asking, nay demanding tickets for this year.
The tickets are full price, but well worth it when you see the look on their faces as Shane and the lads tip up.
We'll be going to Manchester for as long as Philip and the boys will play there.
Roll on next Christmas. I know what's top of my Present list, Please!!!

[dawson]

id only take yours kids if you can get seated tickets.. wouldnt like to see kids down on the floor.. you would have to behave yourself then. it was great to see loadsa families in the seated bits at manchester though with all the punks kicking **** out of each other down the front. nice contrast.. i was in the middle with all the couples

[Irish Rover]

it was great to see loadsa families in the seated bits at manchester

Yeah i also noticed that, and would probably only take kids if i had seated tickets too

[harrigan]

I would not take kids to the show on St. Patty's Day. The city is nuts, people do not drink on the street at the parade anymore but drink is flowing about the time the parade starts and by early afternoon things are crazy. Although I am taking my 24 year old son - he is gonna look out for his old ma. Going to be a great time!

[Marc-NS]

For what it is worth I have received my ticketmaster tickets for the New York shows and it says "16 +" on the ticket....

[Aineen]

I'm coming with my kid - although he's 18 years old, 6'3" and 200 lbs!! He's almost as big a fan as me and like harrigan, he'll be looking out for his mama!!