The Pit

[looneymoon]

So I went to the Dragonforce concert today, after a year or so having not been to any show, and I think this maybe the first time where I actually enjoyed the opening bands more than the headliner. Unfortunately I can't really remember the bands names because of loud music+I didn't wear my glasses so I couldn't see the names on the merchandise

But anyways, first opening band (Powerforce or Powerglove?) were perfect for me because it catered to my inner nerd and inner rock junkie. They played hardcore metal covers of Those Who Fight from FF7, the Super Mario theme and the Power Rangers theme. Never in my life did I think I would be stuck in a moshpit, moshing to those kind of songs.

Second band (Turistas or Terissas... couldn'tquite make it out) were a Finnish metal band. Quite epic indeed. Then there was Dragonforce of course.

So anyways, the point of this thread is to all the metalheads, grungers, punkers, hardcore slam dancers of the board. What is the best, worst, most memorable, unique, life-threatening moshpit you've ever been in? I'm not talking about the performance itself, I'm talking about the mosh.

Some memorables for me:
I'm a sucker for classics, and I find that the mutual feeling of nostalgia/familiarity in a crowd generally ups the energy. For that, I'll remember the Casualties' cover of "Blitzkreig Bop" by the Ramones. Massive circle pit, one of the biggest I've ever seen, went on for the whole song I think aswell.

Same thing for when I went to see Joan Jett. Her more iconic songs definitely got the crowd ridiculously wild much more than her newer/lesser known songs at the time. "Bad Reputation" was probably the song that got me most kicked in the head.

Protest the Hero - first crowd surf, and thus, the first time I was positive that someone intentionally groped me. First experience with wild slam dancing (punching, kicking etc. aimlessly)

My Chemical Romance (don't make fun of me... I was 15) - my first concert ever, and FOR SURE even after the numerous I've been to since, my most intense. There was literally no space to move unless you wanted to hang near the entrances. Everywhere I went it was hard to breath because the air was so damp with sweat. Usually with crowds there's the little area near the stage where the real mosh goes down while everything behind is more or less people standing around nodding their heads. Not here, no way. The whole entire crowd was wild. Circle pits everywhere. The only people standing were the short lines of people standing along the perimeter of the crowd. Also, I'll remember this one because this is the concert where one of my best friends actually passed out due to heat exhaustion, and had to go to emergency. I probably would've too if I didn't go with her to the first aid tent. That part... wasn't so fun. but it gives you an idea of how crazy it really was.

 

[SaShman]

Ahh I love mosh pits, ithey are what live performances are all about too me. I hate going to a show that has a shit mosh pit, if I'm not fighting for my life then I'm not having a good time.

Anyway one of my favourite mosh pits was at the first concert I went to ( a JET concert). Me and my friends had taken the day off school and arrived at the concert 6 hours early to get front row center, we really didn't need to arrive that early but it was a fun wait anyway.

So we made it to our front row center spots and we got fucking annialated, rammed up against the barricade, I could lift my legs off the ground and I would still be stuck upright. One of my friends ended up getting pushed over the top of the barricade so we had to get out so we could stick together, but goddam that was fun.

Another good moshing experience was earlier this year at a Presets concert. That was pretty insane, my friend almost got in a fight for no reason. I don't know how, but I somehow got seperated from my friends and found myself in the fucking middle of the mosh where I found a friend who I hadn't seen since high school. Basically it was pretty rough, I was constantly struggling to stay on my feet, good night it was.

 

[Dionysos]

I can't understand the attraction of going to see a band and wanting to beat each other up at the same time. It just doesn't appeal to me.

I've not been to many live performances, but the one I went to over the summer, to see The Cruxshadows, was just perfect. The venue was small'ish, but there weren't crowds of people. Just the right amount, so you didn't feel claustrophobic, and people were decent enough not to punch you in the face. It was perfect like this because it meant that the lead singer could freely walk around among us, putting his hand on our shoulders, dancing with us and everything. Not really a mosh, and I wouldn't call myself a metalhead (though I do like some metalhead bands, like Dragonforce), but I'm just stating (without detailing the live performance) what the atmosphere was like.

I've never understood the reasoning behind "mosh pits", perhaps somebody could explain it to me. For me, if I wasn't going to get a good look at a band, and it was a big venue, I'd much rather be comfortably seated (if possible) and enjoy it that way.

 

[looneymoon]

@SaShman: The main reason I even go to shows is for the mosh, really. In fact, before the Dragonforce concert (I still can't move because of it ) I had never really listened to much Dragonforece other than a couple of songs on my friend's MP3 player and the songs on Guitar Hero. The crowd generally makes the concert for me more than the performance does, actually. That's where all the fun comes from. Of course, I'm completely in love with Dragonforce now, as well as the two other bands (Powerglove and Turisas).

I never would've expected a Jet concert to be that insane. Then again, I thought MCR would be filled with a bunch of scene kids who probably weren't that agressive, but I was dead wrong.

I've never understood the reasoning behind "mosh pits", perhaps somebody could explain it to me. For me, if I wasn't going to get a good look at a band, and it was a big venue, I'd much rather be comfortably seated (if possible) and enjoy it that way.

Think of it as an extreme sport, if anything. Also, it's usually accompanied by aggressive music, so moshing generally goes with the agressive flow. Plus, you connect with the rest of the audience as well. Despite how violent it is, it's a situation where everyone is looking out for everyone else. As soon as you fall, you'll probably have at least three sets of hands helping you get back up.
Or, another view is that it's the opposite of grinding in night clubs, something I'm personally not so comfortable with. For me, it's a social outlet, because when it comes to night clubs/dancing I'm usually more of a wallflower.

Generally, I do prefer smaller shows because then there's not really any reason to fear getting seriously hurt, and usually there's more of an experience with the band itself. The only downside to smaller shows is that it's usually harder to crowdsurf, as there are usually not enough people. Bigger shows allow for easier crowdsurfing.

 

[Stella]

The most pit looks like tons of fun, but it's better suited for tall people I think. If I wasn't 5'1 I'd jump in one in a heartbeat, but as it is, I'm too afraid that 1)I'd get crushed, and 2) I woudn't be able to see.

Nontheless, I certainly have seen a lot of crazy mosh pits. I went to a Three Days Grace concert last year and it was absolutely insane down on the floor. People were body surfing like every two seconds and several people got so wasted that they had to be escorted out in order to avoid a scene. My friend was right next to the stage, and she said she could hardly breathe because everyone was so close together. Several crazy teenage girls next to her tried to pull Jared Leto off the stage as well. I did, unfortunately, get caught up in a pit of insane drunk people on my way out though. That was an experience I'll never forget D=

I went to a Staind concert about two months ago, but the mosh pit there wasn't as crazy. It was open to whomever wanted to be in it though, so half the people in the stands made a mad dash down to it, which was unpleasant. Only 1 person crowd-surfed though. The craziest it got was a few people jumping up and down.

Oh, can't forget the Nickelback concert I went to. I knew it was going to get ugly when some guys came on stage and started throwing cups of beer out onto the crowd. Everyone down there went absolutey balistic. Several girls got onto guys shoulders and one even tried to take off their top I believe. Talk about girls gone wild xD

 

[DL Clyde]

Your friend tried to pull Jared Leto off at a Three Days Grace gig?

I agree with you. I'm not exactly tall and I'm skinny so I tend to avoid the mosh pits. I was at an Alter Bridge gig last month and I was very tempted to jump in the mosh pit after I had a few drinks but I never did.

 

[SaShman]

I never would've expected a Jet concert to be that insane. Then again, I thought MCR would be filled with a bunch of scene kids who probably weren't that agressive, but I was dead wrong.

I didn't expect it either, maybe the fact that I was only 14 at the time made it seem more rough. But I remember it was a lot rougher during the opening acts so go figure.

I went to another Jet concert last year and that was pretty shit house, the music was good but the crowd was just boring.

I can't understand the attraction of going to see a band and wanting to beat each other up at the same time. It just doesn't appeal to me.

It's hard to describe why mosh pits appeal to me. But I look at it in the sense that if I wanted to hear a band play good music, I'd listen to their CD's. But if I wanted to see them live I'd need something besides good music to keep me entertained and mosh pits provide me with that entertainment.

 

[Stella]

Your friend tried to pull Jared Leto off at a Three Days Grace gig?

Wow, I can't believe I said that! I meant Adam Gontier lol Guess I had 30 Seconds to Mars on the brain when I was typing that

I'm thinking about wearing some boots with really high heels to the next concert I go to. I'd be taller at least, so I just might brave the most pit. I could step on anybody who gets in my way at least :cassy:

 

[looneymoon]

O_O

Do you mean boot with a really high heel like this, or a platform? Because seriously, if it's the former, I really don't reccomend it. Generally, I tend to wear converse or combat boots, with stabdard tshirt and jeans. Sometimes a sweater if it's cold.

I understand moghpit fear... especially since it's usually a bunch of huge guys. If it makes you feel any better, I'm 5'6", and a friend of mine is 5'2" and we tend to do ok. Sometimes you're sore for a few days after. I've definitely seen people much smaller than us get way more wild than we do - even still, it's a little reassuring when you see other girls participating

 

[Takumi]

MOSH PIT! Nothing beats a good mosh! Got punched really hard in a mosh pit once. At first, I thought it doesn't hurt at all and then I noticed my lips are swelling. I got surfed once too. It was FUN! It happened in the Philippine Tour of the band Thursday while I was slamming everyone then suddenly, these two big guys lift me up and they started passing me around and I was like "HELL YEAH!!" while doing the rock on sign with my hands.

 

[Trextbomb]

A few years back i went to the Big Day Out (Australian music festival) and im used to going to metal gigs etc, but usually at a metal gig, the mosh looks after itself, no ones in there to hurt one another. But this festival has gotten really popular, so basically people rock up who aren't into the music at all, and have no idea what a mosh pit is..

And i mean they guys (Bogans, if you know what that is) were pushing over chicks, elbowing people, basicaly turning it into a fighting ring, was rediculas.

 

[KEFKACIOUS]

Oh, mosh pits

A Metalhead as I am, i will always enjoy them!

Can't forget the Mosh Pits on the last At The Gates show here in Athens...
Man it was crazy... Since the show started i was like and i pulled my hand on the people in the back row in hope that someone will grab it and take me to the back

Man, it was intense don't call me a pu***
Whenever i feel like moshing i do it, either it's Thrash, Death, Grind, Hardocre or whatever \m/

 

[Awesome Reno]

I went to see Turisas and DragonForce on the 6th of October (So long ago) and some fucknut was jumping up and down like a tard behind be then he pulled me down right into the moshpit and i got trampled on like yesterdays newspaper, i recived a broken rib and many bruises.

Good night?

Hell yes! thats what i like to see when i go to a gig, i like brutal pits it makes the night a whole lot better to see have such good fun and taste blood.

 

[DL Clyde]

That's the part I do not understand. For me I just get drunk (as in wrecked), headbang and jump a lot and I can have a good time but getting my ribs broke there is no way I would go that far for some fun, and it seems to me if you were in a position to be trampled on then your life was probably in a lot more serious danger than you thought.

 

[Prince Oberyn Martel]

But anyways, first opening band (Powerforce or Powerglove?) were perfect for me because it catered to my inner nerd and inner rock junkie. They played hardcore metal covers of Those Who Fight from FF7, the Super Mario theme and the Power Rangers theme. Never in my life did I think I would be stuck in a moshpit, moshing to those kind of songs.

I actually have a thread (with no replies I might add. Fucking cretins ><) about Powerglove on here http://www.finalfantasyforums.net/music-studio/powerglove-21236.html

It's good stuff, glad you like

I've never really been into moshing. When I go see a band I go and see them for their performance and atmosphere. Alot of bands I'm seeing at the moment (Metallica, Megadeth, Testament, Judas Priest) I have been listening to since I was little and hold great signficant value to me. I want to capture every last bit of their performace and not go off and get distracted by the pit. Instead of the pit I'll rather stand and head bang my muddafukking arse off, bouncing up and down and air guitaring. Yeeeeeeeahhhhhh.

Ofcourse sometimes I do get carried away and have a quick mosh to some heavy bits that just warrants a darn good thrash, but only at certain times. I get pissed off at all these who mosh just for the hell of it, when they start pits at times when it just isnt needed.

Recently at Priest Feast, a little while after Megadeth started, I quickly bought a couple of beers and attempted to get back to my friend who was near the front. Clearly I had a bit of a mission on my hands. I busted through 2 mosh pits, got elbowed in the face a few times, pushed and shoved in all directions, got fallen on by a stray lass, and even had to climb over a guy who wasn't holding up very well....eventually I managed to get back to my friend. Half my beer was totally annihilated but hers was untouched! Fucking proud lol.

 

[DL Clyde]

Recently at Priest Feast, a little while after Megadeth started, I quickly bought a couple of beers and attempted to get back to my friend who was near the front. Clearly I had a bit of a mission on my hands. I busted through 2 mosh pits, got elbowed in the face a few times, pushed and shoved in all directions, got fallen on by a stray lass, and even had to climb over a guy who wasn't holding up very well....eventually I managed to get back to my friend. Half my beer was totally annihilated but hers was untouched! Fucking proud lol.

Bonus points for you then?

I always make sure that I drink before the main band come on otherwise it is usually impossible to get a drink and back to were you where. Not just cause of moshpits but generally everyone tries to get to the front so as soon as you move, people just push ahead. I usually just get wrecked before the main band then do the usual shit.... except moshing.