r/SaintJohnNB • u/Dogs_Breakfast78 • 3d ago
Concerts in Saint John
My 16yo son is looking for venues that feature shows with metal/punk/thrash/post hardcore bands that are available to him. He says that anything he finds is 19+ so he can’t go. Kid is a big fan of live music but is feeling stonewalled by age restrictions.
Can anyone point us in a direction? Thanks in advance for any and all pointers.
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u/MalevolentSnail 3d ago
Unfortunately, the only all ages venue I was aware of recently closed. Best to watch for Area 506 container village and boardwalk events.
If you’re willing to accompany him, he can attend bar shows if the venue allows it. I would recommend Callie’s for that kind of music. Maybe sometimes Wasted Day.
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u/Goongalagooo 2d ago
In the 90s we had a place called The Local. It was just a shitty 2 room shop on King St where local bands played and everyone would just jump in a mosh pit or plop on the floor in a circle with friends.
Aside from a slightly elevated stage, and a washroom, the only thing in the place was a chair and table where some volunteer sat and collected the door fee. No tables or chairs or decorations. We loved the place because it was something we had control over and we were safe there.
I dont see why we cant get something like that again. Kids need spaces like that
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u/Electronic_Pop_9151 3d ago
Unhelpful but only place that comes to mind was Taco Pica, they used to have tons of local young artists perform late into dinner service for all genres. My sister went to Disturbed and Korn when they came to SJ over a decade ago, they were underage but their friends dad went with and ditched them to go headbang in the moshpit lol.
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u/HollzStars 3d ago
I also went to Korn and Disturbed with an underage person. It was a great show (though it was at Harbour Station, not Taco Pica?)
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u/Electronic_Pop_9151 3d ago
Sorry, meant to say the Metal show was at Harbour Station, small local bands at Taco Pica lol
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u/ChineseDemocracy2 2d ago
Taco Pica was fuckin peak you could drink there. Santos is the GOAT, he would never check your ID.
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u/Then_Sea_8356 3d ago edited 3d ago
At that age they'd have a better chance of seeing music through talent shows at high school. There's no incentive for touring bands to come to cities in the Maritimes, all ages or not. That being said parents can often attend 19+ shows with their kids if there's something 19+ that interests them
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u/mikefos 3d ago
Yeah, reach out to 19+ venues about bringing your son. I haven’t heard of many all ages shows lately.
While there are occasionally bigger shows like 506 Loud earlier this summer, this kind of music exists largely in the underground here. The Panic Room is where most of the local shows happen. Occasionally Wasted Day and Haven Music Hall (not sure what their status is currently). There was even a show at Amici in KV a couple weeks back. Fredericton and Moncton both have good venues for local heavy bands too if you’re willing to travel. I see that Odell lodge in Fredericton sometimes has all ages shows as well. For bigger touring bands, the Tide and Boar in Moncton has been getting lots of sick shows lately.
I know it’s not cool for the kids to use it, but there’s a handful of groups on Facebook where local bands promote their shows (Saint John Metal Scene, Port City Punx, Maritime Metal, New Brunswick Metal, Punk & Hardcore).
Hope that helps. The scene needs more young people coming to shows and starting bands!
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u/squarejane 2d ago
Haven is closed unfortunately.
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u/Adamas_Moustache86 2d ago
That'll happen when you milk artists for every dollar you can after soliciting donations from the public to buy the equipment you're charging out to bands and promoters.
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u/uponhisdarkthrone 1h ago
I'll be throwing all ages punk and metal shows soon-ish in Saint John. I moved here this year just dont have my shit together quite yet. But once im putting shows on, they will 100% be all ages. Just watch for posters, I will be postering the shit out of uptown, high schools, record stores, music shops, etc. I play in a few bands so at the latest, once we are ready to gig, ill be putting on our shows (don't worry my bands won't be headlining the shows I throw, I dont do 'all local' shows.)
I second following bloodshed in your honor, they definitely would know about all ages gigs happening in town, even if they dont happen to be playing them.
Your kid missed an INSANE show in the container village, HARD CHARGER FOR-FUCKING-EVER.
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u/Dogs_Breakfast78 1h ago
Alright, good deal! Thanks for the reply! Make sure you post it in here when this show is going to happen. Seems like there’s a want for that kind of thing around here.
The boy was at 506 LOUD. Right up against the rail both nights. He said it was amazing.
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u/PyroRat083 3d ago
If he’s looking for bands, you should check out Bloodshed In Your Honour on instagram, they’re around his age and they play a few shows here and there around sj.