ilivesweat:

(Andy’s note: Maryam originally posted this piece here. It’s a response to this piece, that I linked back to and commented on last week. If you feel you could add something to the debate, please get in touch at ilivesweat@gmail.com)

(Photo by Maryam Hassan, used by permission from

MY perspective on mosh pits is that most of them are just a couple of douchefucks, when I even at the side of the stage get pushed to the floor, slammed into a wall or punched in the face I don’t necessarily think that everyone in the room is responsible, in fact what exaserbates moshing is people trying to keep the moshers away from them. I hate hate hate when people try to draw this rosy picture of a mosh pit like everyone has consented to it and they’re one hive mind who are totally cool and awesome, no, it’s just a couple of arseholes and the rest are people trying to push the arseholes off them. Hardcore gigs are different I’m sure, and don’t worry, I’ll never go to one, but I don’t even feel safe at reggae gigs because it moshing has nothing to do with the music, it has a lot to do with bored macho wankers and people who buy into that idea of the scene. People probably think I’m exaggerating, moshing at reggae gigs does sound ridiculous but unfortunately if they have young audience members it happens. And yeah some dudes take it upon themselves to try to ‘protect’ me but on the offchance they fall onto me, I spend most of my time with my arms out at my sides.