NWB - Community Blog

Great blog Scott,my son is a huge Coldplay fan but hes only 16,i really want to take him to see the Viva la Coldplay lads,i was going to take him to the ditton chimes in Northwich to see them even Shaun said he could sit in the band area but i was worried about the band and venue getting into trouble for it!.

What do you venues think?

Shame isn`t it ?
There were a group of young guys who take drum lessons from our drummer who travelled an hour to see us a week or two ago, dropped off at the venue at half past 7 by their dad. The landlady told them they couldn`t stay after 8.30, we didn`t start til 9. They were gutted and the dad had to travel back to pick them up. I guess it`s no-ones fault but the licensing laws. It should be up to the landlords discretion.

Scott
I agree allowing youngsters in live music venues/pubs is a good idea on band nights but I'd have to draw the line there I'm afraid. I go to my local pub to have a drink with adults to get away from the day's pressures, the last thing I'd want past 8/9pm is a load of kids running around the place (I know I'm generalising there but you know what I mean)...so for me I'd welcome it at gigs but not on a general scale in every pub.

Plus, the kids who would go to watch bands aren't likely to be the ones hanging around on the streets...different mentallity.

+1 Sugar Bs

however, and i'm not certain (Ed. as always) but aren't 16+ allowed on licensed prems as long as not alcoholling?? maybe prorietors discretion?? dunno?

but generally, if there's no band on, keep kids out of pubs!! (Kid = 30 or younger!! LOLOL)
Willowgrump!

Edit - keep young lads out of pubs!!
:0/

I've been going watching live bands in pubs since i was 12...... no one seems to have a problem as long as your behaving yourselves.....

i suppose its like most things, it would mean if responsible folk are allowed in, then inevitably you get irresponsible folk it to frick it up for the rest ie just a matter of time before a gang of young "lads" want to come in and kick off with the gang of young rockers. At least with adults the pubs/police can deal with them, kids know nowadays they are practically untouchable when it comes to the law.
Ironically, i watched bands underage in yorkshire and the 1st time they asked my age at the bar was my 18th birthday!!
Correct me if im wrong but arent the T'owler doing a youths band night midweek anyone?

depends on the venue and the clientèle within I would say, some venues are certainly unsuitable for under 18's

We did a gig in wigan at the Bowling green and there were 4 or 5 14 yr old kids there they were well behaved and loved the show cos to a lot of kids its stuff they might not have heard before.

Good blog Scott - funny that the only time I took my son out to see a band it was you guys on your second gig at the Retro bar - he is 17 (but looks younger) and they wouldnt let him in - puts you off bringing him to venuews and getting him and his mates into the live gig scene.....Baz

Most "major" gigs/venues have an under 14`s accompanied by an adult policy, which is good practice (Man. Apollo for instance). Should be same for all venues. Pubs could make it ok for 14-17 yr olds as long as with an adult (and no alcohol of course).

Great blog Scott, I'd love to be able to bring my collective along to a gig as I know they'd all enjoy it, drink coke and behave better than some these complete airheads/not right's we all have to put with most of the time.

i posted a similar blog a few months ago and was slagged off,you need new blood in any hobby/pastime,because everyone is not getting any younger and you need new punters to fill venues give kids a chance im pretty sure they will see the errors of their ways if they misbehave,most kids who like rock/metal are genuine kids

@Catdog. As an ex-licensee,as far as I'm aware, that is the (generally) current law, although it is up to the licensee's discretion, and there may also be a local restriction on the pub's license (pubs used to be licensed by magistrates, but are now licensed by individual councils). There are also different rules regarding licensed restaurants (food pubs) where there is a more liberal law regarding children in pubs, and also where a pub has a children's certificate (which means they must be off the premises after 9 pm).

Rob.

without getting myself in too much trouble i do if they are with parents.

@ Roj section 16 in the licensing book quotes "it is an offence to allow children under the age 16, who are NOT accompanied by an adult, to be present on premises. In english as long as they are not drinking alchol they can!

Also, a seperate room (without a bar) with a dividing door couild be deemed to be unlicensed, and therefore would not be restricted to any licensing law (similar to the way a beer garden can operate).

Rob

I've taken my two eldest daughters to a couple of gigs, all I did was make the bar staff aware they were not 18 and made sure they only drank coke / lemonade. No problem!
I do think girls get a more liberal interpretation of these laws time than boys though - maybe they are not seen as as much trouble? (yeah, right!)

AYP

only issue from a band point of view is you have to watch what you say in case of causing offence, like I say depends on the venue and the band, a cabaret band playin a restauranty type venue, no probs but a rock band playin a wild west bar?