moshing

[Dark One]

I agree that I really don't understand people who just stand there arms crossed doing nothing. That would take away a big part of the enjoyment of going to shows for me. However, I tend to stick with just headbanging furiously and air guitaring, which is great fun.

I'm usually the latter description in your quote as well, but do occasionally get into to old school pits (especially when I have friends feverishly doing it and the music is hitting me particularly hard).

That said, I can completely understand those that stand around with their arms folded if just wanting to absorb the performance and be mesmerized by the sound (and sometimes visuals) is their cup of tea. This would especially apply to acts that are all about the sound as opposed to energy in a live setting, but can apply to any other act as well. Live and let live.

In Japan (from what I recall reading), most audiences are a non-energetic & hushed bunch until the end of each song when they applause wildly if the act is appreciated. Obviously a cultural thing, but I generally hear metal acts that tour Japan raving about the appreciation they get from their audiences.

Jason

 

[JayKeeley]

That said, I can completely understand those that stand around with their arms folded if just wanting to absorb the performance and be mesmerized by the sound (and sometimes visuals) is their cup of tea.

I agree, provided they move to the fucking back of the auditorium!!! There is nothing worse than a bunch of smegheads making their way to the front of the stage, only to stand like statues for the performance. Some of these people don't even applaud. Why not just move back and let the fans enjoy themselves?

I'm ok with metal shows being rowdy. That's what metal is all about. Seriously, look at progpower with metal fans complaining about the lack of seating. SEATING! As if they've come to watch a jazz improvisation. On the contrasry, I'm actualy quite disappointed that stage diving doesn't happen any more. This used to be quite spectacular to watch at thrash shows (from the back.)

Metal is our fightclub. Beer, mosh, headbang, raise your fist, sing along. It's not a fucking old ladies bingo house!!

 

[Demilich]

As close to the front row as possible for me, unless I'm tired or not feeling too good. Haven't been in the pit for a few years.

 

[Ars Magna]

I must admit that I enjoy watching a good circle pit form. Standing toward the back, a little buzzed, the band shifting into a killer riff, and the minions circling...still sends chills down the ol spine.

 

[swizzlenuts]

What the fuck is wrong with watching the band perform, taking in the whole atmosphere of the live setting, and not wanting to get hit from behind? I like to be up close, but then the fags in the mosh pits always ruin it by shoving people up agaisnt me or people around me.

 

[Reign in Acai]

Take a martial arts class, not dive off a stage if you wish to kick someone in the face. As Swizzle stated, what the hell is wrong with watching the band perform? There's been several occasions where performances were completely ruined because I had to be on the look out for flying limbs. On one fateful night, Mike received a concussion and was knocked out from these flying Elvises who think their "Gandolph the trapeze artist".

 

[Demonspell]

What the fuck is wrong with watching the band perform, taking in the whole atmosphere of the live setting, and not wanting to get hit from behind? I like to be up close, but then the fags in the mosh pits always ruin it by shoving people up agaisnt me or people around me.

I agree, I'm definitely of the shut the fuck up and listen persuasion and stay well clear of pits, though I do throw in a few horns, screams & involuntary headbangs when the urge strikes...

 

[Climb Thar Hill]

Yeah, nowadays I'm more of a sit back watch the band perform kinda guy. A lot of times I'll start headbanging. And on certain occasions I'll hop into the mosh pit. But fuck those fag ones where everybodys trying to prove how bad ass they are or start punching, kicking others and/or air. If it's an old-school circle pit with everyone just moving and pushing then fine, but seriously, fuck you crowd-surfing, Kung Fu Harry kicking and punching assclowns.

Mike received a concussion and was knocked out from these flying Elvises who think their "Gandolph the trapeze artist".

Due to an emocore crowdsurfer. Fuck him.

 

[dorian gray]

I'm with Swizzle. It's irritating that I can't be too close to the stage because that particular peice of real estate has been overrun by moshing NERDS.

 

[JayKeeley]

I think standing silently to watch a show is perfectly ok. I just don't think it should be done front and center. Moshing will always happen at extreme metal shows.

A couple of Wacken's ago, when Slayer came on, the entire field turned into a moshpit. Those vacky krauts!

 

[Dark One]

A couple of Wacken's ago, when Slayer came on, the entire field turned into a moshpit. Those vacky krauts!

That was one helluva scene.