#From the Archives

I have been to my fair share of shows in my life time, from supporting small local bands to catching headlining national acts. But if you’re headed to your first punk concert (or any show that might have guitar, drums, and a slightly aggressive fanbase), a mosh pit is bound to break out. To prepare yourself, here are some unspoken, but generally universal rules people follow when slamming yourself against other people in time to the kick drum.

1. If someone falls, pick them up.
Like good friends you’ve known forever, your fellow moshers are there when you’re in need of someone to pick you up when you’re down. Sure, they might have been the ones to accidentally push you down in the first place, but they didn’t mean it (probably).

2. Call out lost possessions.
Step on a shoe that isn’t on someone’s foot? Pick it up , hold it over your head, and yell “shoe!” The pit at a concert is all about fun, and that can change quickly if you lose something such as a phone or a new pair of sunglasses. Help someone out by calling out found possessions so everyone can continue to have a good time.

3. Be indiscriminate with flying limbs.
Although it might sound intense to someone who hasn’t witnessed one, moshing is not a large, chaotic fight club in every case. Feel out the crowd before you start swingin’. There shouldn’t be any serious punches thrown, although there might be an accidental elbow in the rib and a kick on the shin. Just don’t single people out, and don’t start fights.

4. Crowdsurf at your own risk.
That’s it. it can either be a great experience or an embarrassing fall.

5. Try not to hang from the infrastructure.
Venue security works hard to not only make sure all the concertgoers are safe, but that the venue itself doesn’t get damaged. No matter how much the band playing might egg people on, try not to climb things or hang from piping overhead. It could end terribly and the show could get cancelled or delayed mid set because someone broke a water pipe or disconnected wiring (I’ve seen it happen).

6. If someone isn’t trying to mosh, let them get out of the pit.
THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT RULE. Don’t force people to mosh, and if someone looks like they’re seriously not into it, help them find a way out of the pit.

Be safe, and enjoy the show!

This post was originally featured in Running Molasses in 2018, and has been brought back from the archives. You can view the original post and all of the other goodies from the O.G. site here.