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My husband and I recently lost our minds (it’s the only way I can explain it) and decided it was time to take our 14 ½ year old man-cub to his first concert. After a little research we found out that Flogging Molly was playing an all-ages show at the Radisson in Sacramento this past Saturday night.

Now let me just interject here and say that it is very common for parents of special needs kids to sometimes forget, and think that they have a typical kid. This is what happened to us at the concert. Let me just share that ear-shattering noise, packed, sweaty crowds, people flinging beer and Autism do not mix (just in case you may be thinking of taking your own Autism Spectrum child to a general admission concert with no chairs and no escape.)

On the plus side, he likes Flogging Molly, considers himself to be VERY Irish and is a pretty open-minded kid when it comes to experiences. He also had a hood up the whole time and two large parents to protect him. Poor man-cub was so miserable waiting for Flogging Molly to finally come out. The opening bands sucked and they seemed to take forever to start the real part of the show. Swells of people kept coming and squishing their way into us (never again will I do a general admission, no-seat anything!)

It’s about to start and I notice that most of the guys in front of us are stout, little drunk Irish guys who look like they’re just waiting for a good mosh. (In case you don’t know, most concerts do end of forming a “mosh pit.” The mosh pit is a dangerous mix of drunk, insane young men who bash into each other and punch with their fists in the air - oh yeah, LOADS of fun!) I told man-cub. “Get between me and dad. If a mosh pit starts, get good balance and keep your elbows OUT!” That way they hit your sharp elbows, and not you!

Sure enough, Flogging Molly comes out and these guys just lose it. We all hunker down, elbows out, but these guys are nuts! Beer starts flinging (I did say that this was listed as an ALL AGES SHOW and there were indeed all ages there!? Tiny kids to grandmothers?) Finally the opening song is over and my husband and I look at each other thinking it would now end. Nope, another song starts and if anything they’re even worse. I’m ready to literally give it to a guy who keeps trying to bump me (I already shoved him to the ground a few times) when my husband starts ushering us away to the back.

Ask my son what his favorite part of the concert was and he’ll say “FENDING OFF ALL THE CRAZY DRUNK GUYS IN THE MOSH PIT!” Well, it’s good to know these things in life guess! We left early and on one got hurt. Flogging Molly was actually really great. Next time however, I’m standing in the back.

The pictures are before the concert (and us looking punk) then the concert (mobs of people!)