Gigs

I’m trying to start a band but I’m 14 and I was wonder if I could play, without child labor laws effecting anything

Short answer is yes.

The long answer would be that it will depend on a number of things. Paying gigs often are at events that serve alcohol. Depending on your local state and/or municipal code you may be barred from such establishments completely or you may be allowed in as long as a parent/ guardian is with you. I had a number of playing experiences when I was in high school that my father had to come along or the establishment wouldn’t let me in…

Other places like bowling alleys and restaurants often fall under a special clause in most states. Basically if a room or the venue can be used separate and above for purposes besides selling alcohol then you are allowed to be there as an unaccompanied minor.

Another item to consider, as one previous poster mentioned, is that being under the age of consent you cannot enter into any legal agreements. It would be best to have a an adult (parent) take care of all the paperwork to protect both yourselves and the buyer.

So, seek out venues that you can get into unaccompanied and make sure that the parents of everyone in the group would be willing to accompany their kids if and when they would need to.