Are you planning to go to a punk/hardcore/rock concert on the weekend? You want to try doing that cool-looking moshing (dancing style by pushing or banging each other), but have no experience at all? Before you rush into the mosh pit for the first time, make sure you're well prepared and know what's going to happen there. By wearing the right clothes and following some basic etiquette while in the mosh pit, you will have an unforgettable moshing experience.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Wearing the Right Clothes
Step 1. Wear the right clothes
It's a good idea to choose clothes that won't be a problem if they get dirty or torn. Wear old worn out clothes or cheap clothes that have no sentimental value to you. In a mosh pit, clothes can be torn or soiled easily. So, don't wear your favorite clothes or clean white clothes. Make sure the clothes are comfortable and light as the air in the mosh pit can be very hot.
Step 2. Put on contact lenses
If possible, avoid wearing glasses. If you don't have contact lenses, ask a friend who isn't in the mosh pit to hold your glasses. Make sure you can still see even without glasses. Glasses are at high risk of falling in the mosh pit while you're expressing yourself there, and there's no guarantee they'll be found intact.
Step 3. Don't wear jewelry or accessories
Just like eyeglasses, jewelry or accessories can come off, fall and get lost in the mosh pit or endanger other moshing participants (or commonly called moshers). Leave these items at home or enlist the help of a friend who isn't in the mosh pit to store them for a while.
Step 4. Make sure the shoes are tied tightly
Check one more time before you step foot into the mosh pit. Don't risk falling on your face because someone stepped on your untied shoelace.
Part 2 of 3: Joining the Mosh Pit
Step 1. Wait for the mosh pit to open
Mosh pits usually form at the front and center of a crowd of concert-goers. So, it's best if you stay around the area to wait for the mosh pit to start. Do not mosh until you are absolutely sure that the mosh pit has started. You'll know it when the singer announces it or the rest of the audience begins to form an open area or "hole" near the stage.
Step 2. Finish your drink or ask a friend to hold it before entering the mosh pit
Do not bring drinks in open glasses into the mosh pit. You run the risk of spilling drinks on yourself or other participants.
Step 3. Enter the mosh pit once you feel ready
Find a way among other participants to move from the edge of the pit to the center of the mosh pit. Don't be surprised if people push or bump into you at this stage.
If you don't want to jump right into the center of the mosh pit, stay on the edge of the pit for a while observing the situation until you feel ready to enter
Step 4. Start moshing
You can jump in place or run around the hole. Raise your hands and arms around your chest. Start pushing or bumping into other participants slowly. You are ALLOWED to push other participants because everyone in the hole anticipated it, but remember not to injure other participants. Everyone who goes into the mosh pit wants to have fun while listening to good music.
Step 5. Adjust your movements to the beat of the music and the rhythm of everyone around you
Slow down your dance to cool off and catch your breath as the singer hits a slow tune, and be prepared to face other participants who will mosh louder once the music starts to get excited again.
Part 3 of 3: Obeying Etiquette in the Mosh Pit
Step 1. Get to know the etiquette that applies when in the mosh pit
The first thing to emphasize is that the mosh pit is a place to have fun, not a place to hurt other people. Stop and help someone who has fallen. If you see someone falling, stop and immediately help the person to stand up so they won't be trampled on. If the person is injured, help him out of the hole to the edge.
Step 2. Pick up the dropped item and hold it above your head
If you see someone else's shoe or cell phone lying on the ground, stop and pick it up. Lift the item high above your head until someone claims it.
Step 3. Do not throw items into the mosh pit
Others may throw things, such as empty drink bottles or cans, into the hole, but you don't have to go along with it. This action can injure someone unintentionally.
Step 4. People are standing on the edge of the hole not without reason
Either they don't want to mosh or they're not ready. It's best not to try moshing with people who aren't in the hole. Please note that some people come to concerts just to watch and enjoy the music. So don't pull someone out of the hole and stop moshing once you're out of the hole.
Step 5. Don't be bothered by officers entering the pit
Sometimes, security personnel or crew will step into the hole to help keep the situation under control. Don't try to mosh with them or make it difficult for them to do tasks. You might be kicked out of the concert.
