The Pit: How to Survive the More Energetic Crowds this Summer

By Kyle Halligan-Duffy 

Music Journalist 

With summer fast approaching, it’s time for the season of concerts and festivals. Any seasoned concert goer should have no problem navigating the waves of people in the crowd but for the newbies buying their first tickets ever, it’s important to know how to stay safe and in one piece because any crowd can turn into a cyclone in an instant if you aren’t careful.  

From the outside, mosh pits and other crowds may seem barbaric and dangerous, and sometimes they are. But they are some people’s one excuse to let loose and take all the stress the months have piled up and just exert it into some heavy music. As someone who has taken part in more pits than I can count, nobody is there to seriously hurt anyone and anybody that enters a pit knows exactly what they are getting into and if they don’t? Well, that’s where this article comes in.  

It’s important to note that I have been to about 20 concerts, with a third of them being large festivals. I have also taken part in numerous mosh pits and other crowd gatherings including walls of death (where the crowd splits in half and then collides) and hardcore two-stepping. I have broken ribs, taken kicks to the head, and ripped many clothes after taking hard falls in pits so I hope I can be a knowledgeable reference that can give firsthand advice in this article.  

1: Be Aware of Your Surroundings! 

One of the things that I see the most when it comes to pits is people who have blinders when it comes to the crowd and what they are doing. Yes, we are all there to see the band but given your position in the crowd you need to be aware of what is happening around you.  

Pits can open almost anywhere but they will mainly be in the center of the crowd so make sure you are clear unless you want to get in there and get roughed up. Crowd surfing is also common practice and if you aren’t occasionally looking behind you, you can easily get a foot to the head.  

Be aware of everyone closest to you too. Be it a friend or new acquaintance, these are your buddies now and you don’t hurt, or let anyone else hurt, your buddies. If anyone is being rude speak up.  

Lastly, in festival situations, always know where the nearest medical tent is. Accidents happen and keeping everyone safe is their job. Never be afraid to seek them out.  

2: Stay Hydrated! 

This is possibly the most important, but I put it second because it doesn’t matter if you are hydrated or not, if you lose a tooth or get knocked out, water is the least of your worries.  Most venues are going to have free water available so always know where they have set up so you can get there in a pinch.  

However, some festivals will charge stupid amounts of money for water. There are ways around this. Keep the water bottle and see if there is a bathroom or other source of water so you can always refill. If they don’t have that I would seek out different vendors or bring your own bottle.  

Water can be a lifesaver because, even in indoor environments, the number of bodies in such a small area creates a nigh unbearable heat.  

3: If Someone Falls, You Pick Them Up! 

Now we are going to get into the meat and bones of any pit. Things escalate incredibly quickly in pits. From push pits to two stepping, to circle running there is one rule that is number 1.  

If someone falls, you immediately stop what you are doing and you pick them up.

These pits may look intimidating and violent, and sometimes they are, but we aren’t barbarians. Nobody wants to trample or be trampled. Pit participants are your brothers and sisters, their safety is just as important as the pushing, shoving, and sometimes punching, you are dealing them. Like I said, they know what they signed up for.  

4: Remember Your Perimeter! 

Now if you ever find yourself in the midst of a pit opening up and you do not want to participate there are a few unspoken rules to know.  

The biggest rule is that the perimeter is safe. If anyone tries to break the perimeter or shove their way towards it, they are breaking a fundamental rule. To deal with these rulebreakers, there is something you can do and that is to create your bubble.  

When standing on the perimeter of a pit, if you hold your fist out towards the center you can create a personal bubble that if anyone so much as touches your fist or arm, they have broken that bubble, and you have the absolute right to punch or shove that person back into the pit. 

Do not be afraid to get physical with somebody. Most people will understand and get out of your way and if they don’t, every concert is going to have security that you can contact to deal with that person.  

Nobody likes somebody killing the vibe. 

5: Have Fun! 

Whether it’s taking some stress out in the pit, just drinking and listening to your favorite artist, or having a karaoke session with your favorite song, make sure you have fun. That’s all anybody is there for. A time to let loose and have your inhibitions melt away. 

I personally had issues with this for the first time at a big festival. I wanted to see and do it all, but I quickly realized that it was impossible for such a big event, and it bummed me out.  

It wasn’t until the next time that I just went with the flow of things, saw people I really wanted to and could, and even took part in my first mosh pit.  

It was a transcending experience. I realized just how much it helped my mood and how many people I met through us just having those moments together. It was just so cathartic for everyone involved.   

So, I would recommend, just like the rise and fall of waves, to go with that flow, have fun where and when you can, and meet people just like you. That’s what the concert scene is all about.