Advice from local enthusiasts, musicians and researchers on how to keep you thrashing for longer
By Quinn McClurg
From an outsider’s perspective, there must be few things that look as intimidating, hectic or unsafe as a mosh pit: sweaty strangers thrash, music enthusiasts collide and all is drowned out under a sea of strobe lights and disorientingly loud music. This seems a welcome environment for injury. In fact, a 2017 study revealed that the most common mosh pit injuries were blows to the head or being struck in some manner , all ranging from minor hurts to potentially life-threatening injuries.
As a frequent indulger in mosh pits, I’ve earned my fair share of cuts and bruises and worn them like badges of honor, but more serious injuries like concussions (of which I’ve sustained two in pits) are a lot more difficult to shake.
So in the interest of health (and the ability to keep attending concerts), what can a participant in a mosh pit do to prevent major or minor injury while still letting loose?
Enter mosh pit etiquette. It has evolved and adapted over many years and across many venues to keep people in mosh pits safe. It’s history is a rich tapestry sewn with threads of trust, community and appreciation for the art of moshing.
But, before we begin, we must understand why people mosh.
Respect its purpose.
Moshing is a “seemingly aggressive” means of dancing derived historically from alternative, experimental or transgressive subcultures, such as heavy metal, punk, grunge or goth. It is best characterized by large “pits” crashing in on each other or dancers colliding and grappling with one another in a very sudden and chaotic way. For those who partake in pits often, moshing ranges from a therapeutic means of release to an expression or formation of identity or standing within a subculture. Moshing can run deep for some people. Not to mention, being in a venue is a great way to lose oneself in the music and in other concert-goer’s company.
Understand its structure.
In the average pit, some key roles can be defined as “aggressor,” “bobber” and “wall;” it isn’t uncommon for one participant to play all of these roles throughout a performance. An aggressor is the most action-oriented role, usually starting pits and being an active participant, usually jumping, grabbing and pulling (grappling), and ramming into each other; aggressors usually set the emotional charge and pace within a pit. Bobbers can be aggressive, but they usually play a more passive role, going with the flow and jumping up and down rather than grappling or initiating too much. Finally, the wall keeps it all contained, staying on the edges of the pit and making sure those consenting to the pit stay in and those unwilling to join the pit stay out; this is a quiet, but active enforcement of safety and conduct.
Learn its etiquette.
No matter how various the roles of a pit, there are unspoken rules of conduct that every participant respects. This is colloquially referred to as “mosh pit etiquette.” The rules of mosh pit etiquette are critical to preventing injuries. The most common include: mosh pits are consensual and opt-in only. Spikes or potentially dangerous jewelry must be removed before entering a pit. If someone falls, pick them up. Communicate crowd surfing and stage diving clearly so everyone knows what to expect. Shoving, shouldering, grappling, and thrashing are encouraged, but not punching or kicking, and please, for the love of god, keep your elbows in. These pieces of etiquette are time-honored, even sacred, to the point of being outlined and studied within research papers such as Craig T. Palmer’s 2005 ethnographic essay “Mummers and Moshers: Two Rituals of Trust in Changing Social Environments.”
Read the room.
Social factors are relevant around mosh pits, specifically those geared toward substance use and age and gender demographics. Many surveyed in the Minneapolis DIY scene see “kids” (18 years old and younger) as being new, overexcited, and uneducated and thus not as aware of themselves in the pits. The same sentiments apply to those who are inebriated. As one student put it, “If you can’t stand on your own, you have no business in the pit.” Pits that are not diverse in terms of age, ethnicity, and gender expression can be seen as “unwelcoming,” “unsafe” or intimidating, so be kind and do your best to help make these environments welcoming.
Summary.
To summarize the most important rules and controllable factors when you are faced with a decision to mosh or not:
- •Be conscious of yourself and your surroundings. Read the room physically, spacially, socially and emotionally. If it doesn’t feel safe to you, don’t join.
- •Follow basic etiquette above: These rules are respected, time-honored and largely universal for a reason.
- •Don’t be too reckless or seek to intentionally hurt people. Mosh pits are an activity of communal release, not of actual violence.
- •Don’t be afraid to remind others of the rules. If you are uncomfortable doing this yourself, find the event organizer or, better yet, the resident big, friendly punk™ at the show; there is always at least one and they will be happy to listen and help you out.
- •And last, but not least, have fun. Take care of yourself and others and I will see you in the pit!