MoshingAnnabel Bisset
s42658737
It was just this year that I participated in
my first act of Moshing. Now it was while I
was in the depths of the Mosh pit being
stood on, elbowed, lifted off my feet and
just generally having a „epic‟ time I started
to think “What is it with Moshing? Who are
these Moshers?”. It was then that I
decided to do some research on Moshing.
Moshing is a
practice
traditionally done
at concerts and
festivals such as:
Definitions of Moshing
There is no formal definition of
Moshing but there are a number of
well recognised definitions on the
internet which are:
1. Dance to rock music in a violent
manner involving jumping up and
down and deliberately colliding with
other dancers (Wikipedia, 2011)
Definitions of Moshing2. Dangerous genre of dancing related to
heavy metal/rock music. Usually done
in crowded areas by pushing, shoving
and jumping. (Urban Dictionary, 2011)
Definitions of Moshion
3. The ultimate way to show
your love for your
loud, pounding music
taste. (Urban Dictionary, 2005)
The Reality
The reality of Moshing is that it is a very violent form of music appreciation. There are multiple specific techniques in the Mosh Pit such as:
1. Crowd Surfing
2. The Circle Pit
3. The Wall of Death
4. The Break Down
Warning
Next few videos contain swearing. If
uncomfortable please turn off volume.
Injuries are a common occurrence in Mosh
pits. Crowd Management estimates that over
10 000 people have received injuries being in
or around Mosh pits within the last decade. (Friedman, 2008)
EtiquetteAmongst all this violence there is, surprisingly, an unspoken code of etiquette to be followed. This code is as follows(Adragna):
1. You must a like the band playing
2. Do not participate in „extreme‟ dancing while in Mosh pit
3. Help out fellow Mosher (If they have fallen down help them back up)
4. Do not start deliberate fights outside of Mosh
Mosh Fatalities
Despite the unsaid rules of Moshing fatalities
have occurred. In 2001 at Sydney‟s Big Day
Out festival Jessica Michalik died due to
Hypoxic Encephalopathy a result of being
crushed in a Mosh pit(Wei, 2002). This is not an
isolated incident. Its been recorded that nine
people have died due to Mosh pits between
1994 and 2006(Friedman, 2008).
Picture references
It was Jessica‟s death that forced crowed
safety to increase the security for the benefits
of the crowed. For example Big Day Out
implemented a primary barrier system and
upped their focus on rescue efforts. So now
every one, myself included, can be a happy
and (relatively) safe Mosher.
Works Cited
•Adragna, R. (n.d.). Richard Adragna. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from eHow:
http://www.ehow.com/how_4495883_practice-mosh-pit-etiquette.html
•Friedman, E. (2008, May 7). Mosh Pit or Death Pit? Retrieved October 7, 2011, from
abc News: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=4804513&page=1
•Urban Dictionary. (2005). Mosh pit. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from Urban Dictionary:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=moshing
•Urban Dictionary. (2004). Moshing. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from Urban Dictionary:
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=moshing
•Wei, I. (2002). Findings and Recommendations by the Coronial Inquest . Retrieved
October 6, 2011, from Crowsafe:
http://www.crowdsafe.com/BDOInquestreportWeirFINAL120802.pdf
•Wikipedia. (2011). Moshing. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from Google:
http://www.google.com.au/search?rlz=1C1ASUT_enAU371AU371&gcx=c&sourceid=chro
me&ie=UTF-8&q=define%3A+moshing
•Youtube. (2007). KILLSWITCH ENGAGE- huge pit. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jAhATK2fKMg
•Youtube. (2011). Parklife 2011 National Tour, The hottest line up this year! Retrieved
October 6, 2011, from Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r_5zCtDfc8A
•Youtube. (2010, May 16). Rockfest 2010 Crowd Surfing. Retrieved October
6, 2011, from Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uxTGY5GBsQ8
•Youtube. (2009). wall of death - wacken metalcore. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ql4qxin7p6I
Picture References
•Empire of Perth. (2011). Sterosonic 2011 Line up - Is Out. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from
Empire of Perth: http://www.empireofperth.com/news/stereosonic-2011-line-up-is-out/
•MTV. (2011, January 10). Soundwave 2011. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from MTV:
http://www.mtv.com.au/music/artists/soundwave-2011/
•Nova. (2010). Steve Angello Cancels Creamfields ans Tours. Retrieved October
6, 2011, from NovaFm: http://www.novafm.com.au/article_steve-angello-cancels-
creamfields-and-tours_100158
•Pagesdigital. (2009). Splendour (Already!) Sold Out. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from
Pagesdigital: http://www.pagesdigital.com/splendour-already-sold-out/
•Parklife. (2011). Gallery. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from Parklife:
http://www.parklife.com.au/gallery
•Stoney Roads. (2010). St Jerome's Laneway Festival Lineup 2011. Retrieved October
6, 2011, from Stoney Roads: http://www.stoneyroads.com/general/1346/ST-JEROME-S-
LANEWAY-FESTIVAL-LINEUP-2011
•Tonedeaf. (2011, Feburary 2). GROOVIN’ THE MOO 2011 LINEUP ANNOUNCED.
Retrieved October 6, 2011, from Tonedeaf:
http://www.tonedeaf.com.au/news/featured/61469/groovin-the-moo-2011-lineup-
announced.htm
•Tumblr. (2011). Mosh Pit. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from Tumblr:
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/mosh+pit
•Tumblr. (2011). Moshing. Retrieved October 6, 2011, from Tumblr:
http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/moshing