Kid-friendly Concerts for 9Yo Boy

We took my daughter to a Michael McDonald concert when she was 9 and she loved it. It was a smaller, intimate venue and we were very close to the stage. The opening band was really loud and she hated it. We didn't think she would make it through the whole thing, but once Michael started, she was totally into it. It's one of the best concerts I've ever been to. He was amazing. He's a true star so he didn't have the "if you can't be good, at least be loud" thing going on. She's been to lots of concerts, ballets, symphonies, etc. She's an adult now and travels to see her favorite bands.
I personally wouldn't have taken my child that young to a huge coliseum for a concert. Too many people and too much else going on for MY comfort. We lived in Sacramento and lots of great bands played the Arco arena, but we prefer smaller venues.
My friend and her adult daughter went to a concert together in a huge arena and she said they had no idea they asked for the pot smoking section. People weren't even shy about it.
When you get that many people in one place anything can happen.

I totally think 9 years old is old enough to take your son to a concert--- if he is interested in music, seeing live musicians perform can only inspire him!
This isn't technically "rock" but my husband and I went to see One Republic/ Maroon 5 last night (they are currently on tour together). The concert was GREAT---- especially if you value people that can actually play instruments--- cello, violin, grand piano-- all in addition to keyboards, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drums etc.
There were alot of kids at this concert --- some must have been around nine or so--- with their parents. They all seemed to have a great time. I think it's a great experience for them. My husband and I were talking about how we can't wait to take our boys to concerts like this when they get older (they are babies now).

A suggestion for any concert: try to splurge and get seats close to the stage (but actual seats- no "standing" sections) if you have kids. Wealthier people that purchase the closer seats are usually more reserved. People in the nosebleed sections are more likely to be super super drunk and smoking pot---- it's easier to get away with back in the back. I've been in both the first few rows of concerts and in the way back for many as well and this is just my opinion--- not a judgement on the clientele.

Anyways, Take your son out! Have fun!

9 years old is old enough especially if he 's hanging out with Mom! I've taken my son to Maroon 5, Lenny Kravitz, Bon Jovi & a Salsa concert as well. We also went to see Beyonce! We had a great time & there were ton of kids his age @ all these concerts w/ their Mom or Dad or both. It was also a great bonding experience! My son's fav was Bon Jovi - even though he's an original 80s rock band, he has been putting out great cds since & a lot of kids nowadays are into him. So take your son & have a great experience cause soon he'll be old enough to go w/ his friends !!

I took my kids to all the concerts that I liked since they also enjoyed the music. Just make sure you take ear plugs for them because the concerts are more than loud ;)

Here is a link to a local concert for Toby Mac & Skillet. They are both Christian music groups. Toby Mac mixes everything from rock, R&B, hip-hop, & dance. Skillet is more hard rock style. All their music is fun & has positive lyrics. Nothing to make you cringe, or cover your son's ears. I know you will end up buying their music & singing it on the way home from the concert. They are at the IZOD center in December. Here is the link to the STAR99.1 event: http://www.star991fm.com/whats_happening/concerts/121110-...
You could also have him listen to the music on this radio station link. Click on the HD button, then on 99.1 HD 3 "The Energy".
Toby Mac & Skillet have their own websites to see who they are, & to listen to their music. You can also check out videos on YouTube & music on iTunes.
I know I sound like a commercial, but I think you & your son would really enjoy this music. My family & I always listen to STAR 99.1 FM. It's a great station, & we have gained a whole new collection of music & artists. We have seen Toby Mac in concert at the Meadowlands arena, & they can really "rock the house".

I would recommend the make a difference tour. Great music, good crowds.

www.makeadifferencetour.com

not for 9 y.o.s! If you're listening to mainstream music, it doesn't matter whether it's country, rock, alternative, or pop.......your child will see a lot more than you'll ever want!

In the last 6 months, we've attended 2 major concerts- one at a state university & one at a large venue in a major city.........at both, my 14y.o & his friends got an eyeful. & this was for an up&coming country star! They saw drunkeness, lewdness, they smelled pot (& in no-smoking venues), they saw men peeing in the parking lot.......& the list goes on. & the sad thing is that this is not something new.....I remember all of this from my teen years. & it's not always the younger crowd!

Actually, now that I think about it, we attended a BB King concert under the Arch (in St Louis) 7 years ago. My older son & his friend got quite an eyefull.....there was more than one couple having sex - standing up along the allee of trees lining the parkway....after the concert. My mother & I were horrified & hustled those boys along! OMG!!

Anyway, we've also attended several concerts at family-friendly venues: Silver Dollar City, 6 Flags, etc. These have been better....but there's no way to predict the crowd. We've heard quite a few "racy & totally off-color" conversations thru the crowds, we've seen varying levels of undress.......a little bit of everything. I will say, though, that the concerts at Silver Dollar City are the mildest!

If your son is truly interested in mainstream music, I don't know what to tell you! It's pretty much a given that you will see ......more than you want! Peace!

I would stay away from anything R&B.

If he loves rock music, he may only want to see a "rock" band, but someone like Josh Grobin or Jim Brickman would give him the 'concert' feel, without all the bad stuff that comes with it.

I agree with Anne - Maroon 5 is a pretty clean show. I didn't, but in hindsight might have, taken my daughter (she is 10).

Styx is in the middle of a tour and they play smaller venues - I wouldn't take my daughter (she is 10) to see them though - that crowd might get out of control.

Sara Bareilles is also on tour.

I didn't start taking my daughter to 'real concerts' until just this year - except I got her tix to the 1st JoBros tour for her 7th birthday (lawn seats). We have 'taste of chicago' which is a huge music festival where they have outdoor concerts in the daytime - tends to be a bit tamer. So, she has seen Stevie Wonder, Brandi Carlisle etc - could you wait and take him next summer when there are some outdoor festivals?

I don't know whether you're close to a major metropolitan area or not.
Here, in the Greater LA area, there are a LOT of very small venues.
I think the best audiences would be in the smallest venues.
The people are there to hear and enjoy the music.

Also, FWIW, last night I had the privilege of attending
the opening night of Long Beach Symphony Orchestra's new season.
The program was Prokofiev, Rachmaninoff and Moussorgsky.
Very large venue, very well-behaved audience.

You might want to consider taking your son to some classical concerts.
He might enjoy this kind of music, too.

My son's 1st concert was RAIN. They are a Beatles cover band and he loved it. My husband and I went to see Kiss over the summer and there were a lot of kids there. We thought our son would have enjoyed it too, and trust me they are a lot tamer then they were 20 years ago. My girlfriend brought her 10 year old to see Green Day and said it was a very child friendly show, although there was some bad language. It all depends on your family. Now that the holidays are coming see if ELO (Electric Light Orchestra) is playing in your area. This is a great rock show with Pyro and everthing. Splurge and get the good seats.

I'd take him to anything that you would like to see or, if he is interested in Justin Beiber or the Black Eyed Peas - that's fine too. Anything POP he'd love.

I agree with Leah about KISS. They are awesome in concert and your son would love the make up and pyrotechnics.

Enjoy!! What a lucky kid to have a mom willing to take him to a concert.

In a word, none. Check out the videos the band makes on YouTube or on MTV or the other video channels - not with him - it's all pretty pornographic and full of hatred and angst. He'll have his whole life to go to concerts.