How to Survive at a Punk Show

What to Expect from a Hardcore Rock Concert and the Mosh Pit

Nov 17, 2008

Even the chaos of a punk show can be reduced to a system. This overview gives a good idea what to expect and how to survive the most exhilarating of rock concerts.

The prospect of attending a punk show for the first time can be a terrifying concept. To an outsider, the swirling maelstrom of a mosh pit can look like a giant orgy of violence and anarchy. The crowd filled with drunken punks in leather jackets with mohawks can seem quite intimidating to the uninitiated.

It may not seem like it, but there is typically a system to this terrifying spectacle and the key to surviving is understanding how it works.

The floor usually divides itself into three distinct sections: the crush against the stage, the mosh pit, and the standing area.

The Standing Area

The standing area is found furthest from the stage, behind the mosh pit. This area is generally best for those who wish to stand and watch the band onstage without having to deal with sweaty punks or flying elbows. The people in this area are tightly packed, but comfortable.

Spontaneous moshing can break out anywhere though, so don’t be surprised if shoving or bouncing erupts somewhere nearby.

Spectators in this area may still have to contend with crowd surfers passing overhead, but for the most part it’s a good place to stand and watch the show. The music is not as loud this far back, but ear plugs may be a good idea for anyone who isn’t accustomed to incredibly loud, aggressive music.

The Pit

The pit is the thing that usually terrifies newcomers to the punk rock scene. They fear somehow finding themselves inside and being pummeled mercilessly by aggressive, drunken punks.

It looks far more dangerous than it is. Nobody is trying to hurt anyone in the pit (usually), it’s just a bunch of guys reacting to the speed and emotion of the music, shoving each other around, and sweating profusely.

What few people realize is the sense of brotherhood (or sisterhood) that comes with being in the pit. When someone goes down, everyone nearby stops and helps them up. Nobody wants to see anyone get hurt or trampled. It’s not uncommon to see strangers carrying exhausted or injured concertgoers to safety.

The Crush

The most hardcore or eager fans tend to congregate in the tightly-packed area between the pit and the stage. Here, desire and strength are the only things that matter. People will attempt to push their way to the front and those with the coveted spots against the rail fight valiantly to maintain position.

This is the best and worst possible place to be during a show. Best because you can see the band more clearly than anywhere else and have the best chance of catching guitar picks or drumsticks thrown from the stage. Worst because standing here means constantly jockeying for position, dodging the flailing arms and legs of crowd surfers making their way to the front, finding yourself deaf for several days following the concert, and emerging from the crush drenched in sweat, most of which is not your own.

For newcomers, the standing area is typically a good bet. For those feeling slightly more adventurous or just feeling the urge to push and shove others in time to the music, pushing past those standing to the fury of the mosh pit may be in order. For the bravest, or those who are big fans of the band they’ve come to see, the crush is the only place to be.

Elsewhere on Suite101:

The copyright of the article How to Survive at a Punk Show in Punk/Ska Music is owned by Benjamin Sell. Permission to republish How to Survive at a Punk Show in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.