Concert Culture in Metal and Hardcore: Pits, Circle Pits and Mutual Respect
The Wacken Open Air in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, was first held in 1990 and makes a good starting point for talking about the metal scene. Still, concert culture in metal and hardcore lives not just on the music but on how the audience behaves. What happens in front of the stage, and which rules apply there? This article explains the basics: terms, unwritten rules and practical advice.
What Is a Mosh Pit and What Is a Circle Pit?
A mosh pit is the area in front of the stage where concertgoers dance hard and shove against one another. From outside it can look chaotic, but for those inside it is a natural way to react to the music. Nobody has to join in, and many people prefer to stand at the edge and enjoy the show without physical contact.
In a circle pit the crowd moves in a ring around an open space that forms in the audience. Participants run or jog in a circle while the middle stays empty. In a wall of death, by contrast, two groups charge at each other on a signal from the band. First the crowd splits into two halves, and only on the signal do both sides start moving. Each of these forms has its own name and is familiar to regular concertgoers.
Which Rules Apply in the Pit?
Concert culture in metal and hardcore has a few unwritten rules that seem obvious to anyone who knows the scene. They appear in no house rules, and yet following them decides whether a pit is fun or a hazard. If you fall, someone helps you up. If you do not want to take part, nobody goes after you. Smaller and weaker people get extra care, because what is fun for some can be a real risk of injury for others.
These three rules share a common denominator: mutual respect. A mosh pit only works when everyone is there by choice and knows they will be caught if they go down. That is why experienced concertgoers point out to newcomers when they cross these lines. This watching out for one another is exactly what separates a pit from a brawl.
Where Do Such Shows Take Place?
Shows are held in small clubs, youth centers and at festivals. Every venue has its own character. In a small club the pit is tight, the audience stands close to the musicians, and the limited space calls for more attention. At a metal festival the grounds are bigger, but so is the crowd, so crushes happen more easily. The rules stay the same wherever you are, and concert culture in a club resembles that on a large festival site.
How to Prepare for a Show
You do not need much preparation, but a few things matter. Bring water, because you tire quickly in front of the stage and dehydration spoils an evening faster than any pit. Comfortable, closed shoes matter too. In a crowd people step on each other's feet easily, and sandals or flip-flops offer no protection.
Watch your belongings as well. Keep your phone, wallet and keys deep in a bag or pocket, because whatever gets lost in the pit rarely turns up again. It is just as important to watch the people around you: concert culture includes not only rules for the pit but also consideration in a crowd.
Respect as the Foundation of the Scene
Mosh pits, circle pits and walls of death look impressive, but only the unwritten rules give these forms their meaning. People who help those who fall, respect someone who does not want to enter the pit, and look out for the weaker make sure the metal and hardcore scene does not turn dangerous. Kellerlärm returns to these topics in further articles.