Is it time for some change?

[St. Banana]

for crying out loud, no finkin' way

Are these kids causing any harm or disturbance? Pretty sure they're just enjoying some good music.

I for one would be in the many excluded, if there was a 16+ rule enforced, and I'm pretty sure I have just as much of a right to be there as the next person.

[clairemarie]

Plus, they do promote their concerts as an "all ages" show. I don't think that neccesarily means their music is aimed at a younger or older generation, just whoever wants to enjoy it. Putting an age limit on it would just fuck it up for a whole bunch of people.

[watsername182]

Making a Green Day show 16+ would just be cruel. I'm sure many people here on GDC were fans of Green Day before they were 16 and preventing them from seeing their favourite band in concert is like depriving a kid from celebrating their birthday (sorry, couldn't think of a better analogy).

I think it's great Green Day shows are all ages. I mean when I saw the band, sure there were a few kids here and there but it's not like I was in a mosh pit full of 12 year olds.

[Tiffx]

Thats what I love about Green Day: All Ages

Exactly. All ages, enough said.

[Iminyourcoffeemaker]

You have to think about it, Green Day became mainstream about 16 years ago. Lets say most parents of 12 year olds are 40 or less. That puts most of these parents at 24 years old when Green Day became popular. Prime age for liking a band like Green Day. These 12 year olds are listening to what their parents show them and their parents happen to like Green Day. Oh well..

[CaesarSalad]

but how about they stop encouraging kids by pulling them on stage

what the actual even. that's just mean. "stop encouraging kids"? stop encouraging them to do what? have fun? enjoy music? be a part of something?

to be perfectly frank, if you have an issue with kids at shows then i think you're the one who needs to do some growing up. kids get so excluded from everything from being able to buy explicit music to having a say in anything, so i think it's incredible that green day have managed to reach such an audience and even more incredible that they appear to value today's younger people (taking kids on stage and *gasp* encouraging them! how dare they!).

i might sound like a lunatic, but i think green day music "empowers" youth with the lyrics. as in "this is the world today. it's kind of messed up. let's fix it." not quite that dramatic, but along those lines. what better demographic to admit into that circle than the people who are most impressionable and the people who are going to inherit the messed up reality? some of the content might not be kid friendly but the world isn't exactly kid friendly, either.

[liquorhill]

Green Day has always had 12 year old fans. Shows in 94 (though I was 14) had 12 year olds. Shows in 2000 had 12 year olds and shows today have 12 year olds. No stopping it. Just how it is.

That's why they sell out so quick. One 12 year old wants to see green day. Means at least 2 tickets sold. A parent will have to come. Then maybe the other siblings cuz they can't be left alone. Possibly the other parent and they make a whole family night of it.

Kinda turns me off. Last I saw them in NYC at the garden all these families with little kids and I said ok enough. I think I'm done seeing green day live.

[in_your_face]

well, if Green Day shows are made 18+ the backsceens should show porn videos like Mother Mary which is, of coarse, about sex. haha!

nah..i really don't mind Green Day pulling kids on stage. to my surprise, the proportion of kids at Green Day shows when compared to adults is comparatively less.

[pasalaska]

to quote Billie Joe's arm:

After going to the amazing Denver show in August, I began to ask myself what Green Day was turning into. I mean it felt like half of the venue was children 12 and under! I say that Green Day get out of this children phase and start getting more for teens and adults again. I'm not saying their music needs to change, but how about they stop encouraging kids by pulling them on stage and crap or they could even just make the shows 16 and older for crying out loud. What do you all think?

first of all, how can you say 'more for teens and adults again' and then in the same sentence say 'make the shows 16 and older'? last time I checked the 'teens' started at 13. I was 14 for my first Green Day show. I camped overnight and got barrier. Yes, I had to be pulled out, but I wouldnt have it any other way.

I love the inclusiveness of Green Day shows. It's something that really sets Green Day apart from me - seeing people from 4 to old and wrinkly. And I hope Billie doesnt stop pulling kids up on stage; sure, you get the kids that have no idea what's going on, and are obviously only there because their parents bought them, but after 19 shows on the 21CB tour, Ive seen plently of kids (and I'm talking under 10s) that were obviously Green Day fans, who knew the words, who were freaking out in the presence of Billie

Sure, having kids at shows (and especially in the pit) can be a little annoying at times, but usually it's the parents who are the problem. I've had a number of parents try and tell me to get off the barrier because they have a child who needs that spot. I just tell them to fuck off and stand somewhere safer because I fought for my barrier spot.

And I think the world would be a better place if Billie saved more kids. I'd much rather have Green Day shows half filled with kids, than have those kids listening to mindless manufactured pop.

and lastly, it's hard to find a review of GD's music that doesnt mention 'teenage issues'. Of course there are gonna be alot of teens at Green Day shows. Green Day wouldnt have ever blown up without its teenage following.

[fadi_7]

it's the worst idea even green day won't think about it cause if you hear their interviews they say that green day is for all ages

[Mommy's Little Nightmare]

I love that kids love Green Day. I feel that they're as entitled to see the band as anyone else. Maybe not to be in the pit (But that has nothing to do with them personally, so much as their safety. I feel like they'd be much safer in the seats)

I met this little girl who has been saved a few times, and you know what? She's 12 years younger than I am, and she loves that band just as much as I do. It's ridiculously unfair to say that a kid shouldn't be able to go see Green Day.

I understand the age restrictions at FBHT shows, but Green Day? Yeah, Billie is pretty inappropriate at times during the show, but the kids don't really get that. They just know that they're watching a great band, and they're having fun- and that's what Green Day aims for with their shows. For the fans to have an amazing time, and have fun. No matter WHAT the age. Remember when the Idiot Club was the All Ages Club? Wasn't all that long ago.

[E!!i]

I have no problem with children, I wished I had explored Green Day earlier but I was 14.

[iwroteholdencaulfield!]

let green day do what they want. its not their fault kids my age like 'em. plus i felt kind of insulted

I love that kids love Green Day. I feel that they're as entitled to see the band as anyone else. Maybe not to be in the pit (But that has nothing to do with them personally, so much as their safety. I feel like they'd be much safer in the seats)

I met this little girl who has been saved a few times, and you know what? She's 12 years younger than I am, and she loves that band just as much as I do. It's ridiculously unfair to say that a kid shouldn't be able to go see Green Day.

I understand the age restrictions at FBHT shows, but Green Day? Yeah, Billie is pretty inappropriate at times during the show, but the kids don't really get that. They just know that they're watching a great band, and they're having fun- and that's what Green Day aims for with their shows. For the fans to have an amazing time, and have fun. No matter WHAT the age. Remember when the Idiot Club was the All Ages Club? Wasn't all that long ago.

exactly, my dad doesn't really like green day but he had a gr8 time at the show, and so did i it was amazing

[Guest]

Age is just a number. Sure, most people do mature as the number increases, but if you can't accept kids seeing Green Day then you need to mature.

I was 11 when I got into Green Day.

[foxboro1234]

Age is just a number. Sure, most people do mature as the number increases, but if you can't accept kids seeing Green Day then you need to mature.

I was 11 when I got into Green Day.

Never said I couldn't accept it. Thanks for all the comments. I feel I know what people think now haha. You're all right.

to quote Billie Joe's arm:

first of all, how can you say 'more for teens and adults again' and then in the same sentence say 'make the shows 16 and older'? last time I checked the 'teens' started at 13. I was 14 for my first Green Day show. I camped overnight and got barrier. Yes, I had to be pulled out, but I wouldnt have it any other way.

I love the inclusiveness of Green Day shows. It's something that really sets Green Day apart from me - seeing people from 4 to old and wrinkly. And I hope Billie doesnt stop pulling kids up on stage; sure, you get the kids that have no idea what's going on, and are obviously only there because their parents bought them, but after 19 shows on the 21CB tour, Ive seen plently of kids (and I'm talking under 10s) that were obviously Green Day fans, who knew the words, who were freaking out in the presence of Billie

Sure, having kids at shows (and especially in the pit) can be a little annoying at times, but usually it's the parents who are the problem. I've had a number of parents try and tell me to get off the barrier because they have a child who needs that spot. I just tell them to fuck off and stand somewhere safer because I fought for my barrier spot.

And I think the world would be a better place if Billie saved more kids. I'd much rather have Green Day shows half filled with kids, than have those kids listening to mindless manufactured pop.

and lastly, it's hard to find a review of GD's music that doesnt mention 'teenage issues'. Of course there are gonna be alot of teens at Green Day shows. Green Day wouldnt have ever blown up without its teenage following.

This is a good one^. Understand that I am as much on the band's side as you guys. This is just something that my friends and I have talked about and I wanted to hear GDC's opinion.

[Ally]

Actually at the shows I went i can't remember seeing THAT many kids. They were all like 15+. But they have to get new fans, kids are gonna get into them and be "the new era" of fans. Who cares how old they are, fans are fans, sure some will grow out of that "phase" but there will be shit loads that stick with them, just like many of us have done. I think its good and the "next generation" loves green day, kinda shows they haven't sold out yet. Of course thats only my opinion

[KatherineKerplunk]

I am proud of the younger fans. Aspecially 11 and younger because they were brought up with something decent and worth listening to then Hannah Montanna and High School Musical crap! I say good on you young peeps and keep the true rock in ya soul!

[Holly]

One of the amazing things about Green Day is that you can go to their concert and find people of every age. I got into Green Day when I was twelve and wanted nothing more than to go to see them live, upon first glance now I admit I sometimes think 'they're too young to be into Green Day' when I see young kids here on the forum or at a show but then immediately remember how much I have adored them from the age of twelve.

I think the idea of Green Day being in a 'children's phase' is absolutely ridiculous. They're just making music like they always have and I imagine that they have always had fans of all ages. With them being on the radio so much and being such a massive band they are so accessible which is a great thing!

Gahhh.

[Smoothed Out]

Green Day is open to everyone and anyone of all ages, you'll probably find that most of those `12 years olds` are with their green day loving parents and have grown up in the environment to become a Green Day fan. By limiting it, Green Day wouldn't be Green Day because to me that's what they are about. Being open for everyone to enjoy. And being a young person myself, I hate the stereotyping of `tweens` and the word `phase`. Not all of us are like that.

[Eeefaa.]

I remember at the show in Marlay Park Billie was pulling the kid up for East Jesus Nowhere, and when the kid told him he was 10, Billie said: "have you ever had sex with a woman before?"

I think the organizers got in a bit of trouble for that. Sorry, that was the first thing I thought of when I read the OP.

But as everyone has said, I think it's totally fair to let kids go to a Green Day concert. Bands geared towards "tweens" such as Paramore have the roughest crowd, in my opinion, going by what I've heard from when they've played here (and not just because I was at one of them, I've been assured it wasnt a once off). And at gigs in bars people get totally drunk and then it's no fun either. One of the reasons Green Day are so popular in the first place IS because they appeal to everyone, after all.

Also, I think it's nice when parents bring their kids to see their own favorite bands. My Dad is always going on about how he wishes he could bring me to such-and-such a band because they're amazing... oh no wait, they're dead/retired/old/broken up/cant sing anymore. But say he liked Green Day: here is a touring band that are still together and belting out hit after hit that we both could like. (He has brought me to a few of "his" bands though, and even though I didnt particularly like some of the music, it made him so happy just to bring me).

[Doris The Spider]

They couldn't choose to be born earlier.

That's what I think about people who don't like the young WHO fans. It's not my fault that I was born when I was.

Back on topic, I don't mind the young kids. Green Day's music appeals to a lot of people.

[Axel]

The only problem I have with some young fans are the ones that are oblivious to Green Day's music. And how much they have produced. Example: Not knowing any of their music before American Idiot, Or Dookie,)

edit: also, what else would you want kids to listen to? shitty Kesha and Bieber?

[foxboro1234]

The only problem I have with some young fans are the ones that are oblivious to Green Day's music. And how much they have produced. Example: Not knowing any of their music before American Idiot, Or Dookie,)

Exactly!

[Moffie]

Exactly!

Not all of the kids are oblivious to the other albums. You can't judge them and clump them all together because of others. That's not fair to them.

[Comedy & Tragedy]

What difference does it make between fans if one is 12 and the other is 30? I'd much rather meet a kid who listens to Green Day, rather than a kid who listens to Justin Bieber.

I would have loved to have seen Green Day when I was 9, but I couldn't. Even now, I've seen them twice, and I'm not 16 yet. And ya know what, I had an awesome time.

People of all ages can relate to Green Day, and that's one of the great things about them.