[For Live Show Beginners] Who Are the People Called 'Live Kids'?

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[For Live Show Beginners] Who Are the People Called 'Live Kids'?

• Festival-loving girlImae Mizuki
  I got totally hooked on BUMP OF CHICKEN after my best friend introduced them to me in junior high, and that’s when I woke up to music. In high school, a senior led me into the world of melodic hardcore, and I fell for it completely. Heavily influenced by the boyfriend I was dating back then, I’ve been a huge fan of 10-FEET from then until now. After graduating from my days as a hairstylist—spent staring down wigs every day—I now work staff for studios, live houses, and wedding sound, spending my days hunting for new bands. Despite being out at festivals and shows all year round, I’m still a hopeless kid who can’t even do a two-step.

What is a live kid?

People sometimes refer to regulars at concerts and festivals as 'live kids.'

People tend to think it refers to college students or fans in their twenties, but age has nothing to do with being a live kid.

Also, there isn’t any specific definition like “Because this is like that, live kids!”.

However, there’s a common trait that applies to many people who are called live kids.

From here, we’ll introduce the common traits of those live-music-loving kids.

Common traits of live-show kids

Live kids' outfit

First of all, many live music fans wear band tees (band T-shirts).

They vary—festival T-shirts, T-shirts of my favorite bands, and so on—but in any case, I’m wearing band tees.

And I'm wearing knee-length shorts.

Everyone wears shorts, even in winter—colorful Dickies half-pants known as Dickies, easy-to-move jersey shorts, and basketball shorts like the ones the basketball team wears.

Sometimes half pants (shorts) are also sold as artist merchandise.

And if you look at their arms, you’ll notice that many people are wearing rubber bands (Laba-bands).

This rubber band also has merch from my favorite band and festivals attached to it.

Many live-concert kids usually attach this rubber band to their bags.

Live kids and live

Live kids get wildly hyped during concerts.

diveand/or; such as; or (used to list examples)mosh、two-stepand/or; such as; or (used to list examples)headbanging...and so on, constantly on the move.

Therefore, clothing that allows easy movement is preferred.

I’ll keep moving until I’m as exhausted as the artist.

Yeah, just like this!

Live kids are always having fun and full of energy.

Live kids’ manners

Even fun, hyped-up concert kids can end up looking cringey if they take it too far.

When you type “live kids” into Google’s search bar, suggestions like “live kids hate” and “live kids annoying” sometimes appear.

It might be because some live-show kids aren’t following proper etiquette.

Be careful not to get so hyped up that you drag in people who want to enjoy the concert quietly or cause a nuisance to those around you.

Also, for festival beginners, the circle of live kids can feel really intimidating and even give a sense of being out of place.

Since there are probably many people who are new to festivals and live shows, you could say that a true advanced live-music fan is someone who creates a space where everyone can have fun together without making anyone feel out of place.

Lastly

As the number of people attending festivals increased, the term “live kids” quickly became widespread.

For those new to live shows or festivals, just being in the space is enough to make your heart race.

Seeing is believing—if you go to a few live shows, you’ll quickly get a feel for what live-show kids are like.

Seeing how much fun they’re having, you might find yourself becoming a live-show kid before you even realize it.

I hope this article can serve as a kind of textbook for those who are new to live concerts.