The Nature of Live Shows

As stated in the previous blog, heavy metal and violence have gone hand in hand over the years. Violence has appeared as topics of heavy metal songs and has been used as album art work to help records sales. Heavy metal as also been criticized for having violence in live shows. Although this includes violence in stage shows, it also includes acts that are seen as violent by the crowd. These “violent” acts include, moshing and headbanging. These acts are seen as being violent, but really they are just the energetic expression of the individuals.

Moshing at a heavy metal show has become a common tradition over the years. It’s when “audience members at live music performances aggressively push or slam into each other” (Wikipedia). The whole idea of a pit is to show appreciation and enjoyment of the performer’s music. Although it appears to be a violent place, the participants follow a set of unwritten rules, some times referred to as “mosh etiquette.” The main rule in a mosh pit is “immediately helping fallen audience members back to their feet to avoid them being trampled” (Wikipedia). Another rule would be to give people around the pit they’re space if they do not wish to be involved.

A pit is supposed to be a place of excitement and enjoyment, but there has been some controversy. Injury and even deaths have been reported from mosh pits. The deaths are usually caused by the victim being trampled or asphyxiation. No one is trying to cause injury to others in a pit, these accidents are purely incidental. Because of violence in mosh pits, many bands stand against mosh pits at shows and even some venues don’t allow moshing at live shows.

Another live show act that is seen as being violent is headbanging. Headbanging, like moshing, is an act carried out to show appreciation of the music being played. It typically follows the “tempo and aggressiveness of the music” (Wikipedia). It usually only proves to be dangerous to the one committing the act. The dangerous part of headbanging is usually getting a headache, neck cramps, or even whiplash.

I myself am a strong supporter of mosh pits and headbanging. I believe it’s a great form of release and expression at a heavy metal show. I believe that as long as the rules of the pit are followed and headbangers are courteous to those around them, I believe it to be perfectly acceptable to engage in these acts at a show.



- "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moshing"

- "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Headbanging"

- "http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3204/3021508818_ab6199d864.jpg"