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I’ll never forget when I joined my first mosh pit. Adrenaline rushed through my body as a swarm of people—mostly grown men—pushed and shoved each other around. I aggressively shoved them back with all the strength my noodle arms could muster, while desperately trying to stay on my feet.
I’m willing to bet that this sounds like your worst nightmare! But for myself and many other heavy music fans, moshing is a fun and exhilarating experience—when done properly, of course.
Moshing refers to an extreme style of dancing where participants push, shove, and slam into each other, typically during heavy metal, hardcore or punk-rock concerts. Mosh pits form as people establish distinct boundaries around those who want to mosh so that the area is contained, usually in the centre of the crowd. Due to the aggressive nature of moshing, there’s always a risk of getting injured (I’ve fallen several times, and was once hit in the nose pretty hard).
That being said, having basic mosh pit etiquette minimizes the chances of anyone getting badly hurt, so allow me to enlighten you!
TAKE CARE OF EACH OTHER
The golden rule of mosh pits: if you see anyone fall down, help them get back up. Mosh pits are chaotic, but every time I’ve fallen, people have immediately stopped to help me get up. It’s the basic principle of treating others the way you want to be treated!
KNOW WHERE MOSH PITS HAPPEN
Moshing has become more widespread in today’s music scene, so if you’re at any aggressive music show, you should anticipate moshing—and you shouldn’t get angry at people for wanting to do so.
At larger venues, mosh pits typically start in the middle of the crowd, a few rows behind the people at the front. If you notice one forming, you’re expected to move out of the way.
STAY AWARE
It’s crucial to stay aware at all times in moshing environments, otherwise, someone’s limb could end up slamming you in the face. If you’re in the pit, mosh. If you don’t want to mosh, make your way to the edge and someone will let you out! If you don’t push back, you won’t have a good time and will certainly end up hurt.
remember that MOSH PITS ARE OPT-IN ONLY
There’s nothing worse than an unprepared person being pushed into a mosh pit without consent. People standing around the edges may not want to join, so never push or pull anyone into the pit! Let people decide whether they want to join or not for themselves.
don’t crowd kill
Crowd killing is a term used to describe when someone purposely windmills their arms, or throws punches or kicks to purposely “accidentally” hit other people, often those along the edges of the pit. This behaviour is extremely frowned upon (for obvious reasons), but rest assured that I haven’t yet observed any crowd killing in the mosh pits I’ve been in. Anyone who behaves in an intentionally violent way is usually dealt with immediately.
Now that you’re familiar with the principles of mosh pits, here are some other helpful tips to have a successful moshing experience:
- Always try to watch and observe the mosh pit before joining to judge its level of aggression. Every mosh pit’s dynamic is different depending on the people and the music playing, and the dynamic can switch from chill to violent pretty fast. There are also different forms of moshing, so it’s helpful to know what you’re dealing with! In a typical mosh pit, people push and bounce off each other; in circle pits, people run around in a circular motion.
- Keep in mind that your outfit matters! You’ll likely get too hot in a long sleeve or hoodie, so opt for a t-shirt. I prefer wearing shorts or a skirt when it gets too hot in the pit, and if you choose to wear a skirt I recommend wearing biker shorts underneath.
- Wear long hair up and avoid wearing loose jewelry or accessories. There’s a high chance of you losing your accessories, and you also risk hurting yourself or others. Also, consider tying your hair up in a bun or ponytail to avoid it getting pulled or caught on someone.
- If you find a lost item in the pit (a phone, shoe, wallet, etc.), hold it above your head and try to walk around the edge of the pit so it can be easily retrieved!
- Keep a wide stance with your knees slightly bent to stay balanced. I also like to keep my arms up with my hands kept loose below chin level to protect my chest (because getting hit in the boobs is never fun).
- If you need to leave the pit, yell that you want to get out and people should make a path for you. If that doesn’t work, grab the nearest person’s shoulders, look them straight in the eyes and yell that you need to get out—they’ll almost always help you!
Still intimidated? I totally understand! Not everyone sees the appeal, but despite the aggression, the mosh pit is a welcoming space where metal and hardcore fans can express themselves physically and build connections with each other. If you want to try joining one, keep these tips in mind!