Bands may introduce "safe spaces" at shows
Yes, you read that correctly. According to an article we stumbled across on The Guardian, moshpits could soon be a thing of the past.
"DIY punk groups such as PWR BTTM, Diet Cig and Adult Mom have introduced safe spaces at their shows – and moshpits have often been the first casualties," the article reads.
“At least at our shows, we’re trying to create a safer space, and, right now, I can’t see a way to have moshing that’s completely respectful of everyone there. We get to feel safe on the stage, and we want to extend that feeling to our audience.” Diet Cig’s Alex Luciano.
I get that, I completely do. You want people do feel safe at your shows and that's great! But do you really have to go and be that SJW (social justice warrior) that ruins the fun for everyone else so a handful of people don't feel alienated at a show?
Yes, shows are full of creeps. I witnessed my female friend be sexually harassed at a show and it pissed me off. On the other hand, I have been at a number of shows where the band stopped playing because of aggressive molshing and/or seeing sexual harassment in the pit. I mean, it's pretty easy to spot when you're on stage, and it's a major distraction for the band.
Former Gallows frontman, now the face of Frank Carter and The Rattlesnakes takes quite a stand on the issue:
However, moshpits can be quite the outlet for some, says While She Sleeps guitarist Sean Long:
“Moshpits are so accepted and popular in our scene because these people don’t have that outlet in real life. Some fans are bottled up with emotions; without expressing them, you might end up depressed or angrier. Shows can be quite an experience for people who are suffering.”
At The Worcester Palladium - Upstairs I witnessed something amazing. While standing on the upper-level looking down on the madness that was a pit someone fell. What happened next? Did they trample him? Kick him in the head? No! EVERYONE stopped, helped the kid up, and then continued to mosh. I know that isn't always the case, but not everyone who goes into the pit is an asshole.
Author of the article, Hannah Ewens does make an excellent point when she writes, "While I don’t go near aggressive moshpits these days, I don’t care if others go in to them. What I do mind, though, is [someone] smacking a beer out of my hand, or hitting into me hard when I’m standing nowhere near that front-middle danger zone. It raises the question: if moshpits are a priority, where does that excessive freedom of movement stop? What are its boundaries and limits?"
I tend to avoid moshpits because of my medical condition. If I get hit in the wrong spot it's game over for me; I'd be in the hospital before the end of the set. BUT! Huge but here (not Kim Kardashian butt, though) that doesn't mean I don't want people to stop moshing. Just because I might be inconvenienced at a show doesn't mean I will go out of my way to ruin the fun for everyone else. Sometimes a kid will start moshing near me and I'll move, problem solved.
Sadly, there will always be creeps and assholes at shows. The best thing we can do though, is come together as a scene and try our best to put an end to it. If you see something weird at a show, say something. If you don't want to be in or near a moshpit, don't. Move somewhere else. Safe spaces are a good idea in retrospect, but bands aren't going to create a "safe space" in the middle of the floor.