Some Questions About Concerts

Something Ridiculous

Ok so here's the deal. I'm 14 (beginning my freshman year) and I love music. I have a very diverse taste (Modest Mouse to Dillinger Escape Plan to Nine Inch Nails and everything in between) and I'm going to my first concert ever (Weezer). The tickets cost $45 each and I got two of my friends to go and my dad to take us (he likes Weezer too). I noticed however that one of my other favorite bands is playing at a House of Blues venue nearby. THe tickets are $14 each so that shouldn't be a problem. The issue is that The band that's playing (Protest the Hero w/ Unearth) is a hardcore/metal band. I have a friend that likes them too. But, I've heard that hardcore band concerts get intense, I'm kind of small. Is this a problem? Also, how would be the best way to get my dad to take me to another concert within a week of the one he's taking me too and is this a reasonable request (I don't know the next time Protest The Hero will hit Chicago)?

Short Version: I'm 14, my dad's taking me to one concert and I want him to take me to another (tickets are cheap). The bands that are playing (Unearth and Protest The Hero) are hardcore bands. Do you really get the shit kicked out of you at hardcore concerts? (this is what my mom thinks). Is it reasonable to ask my dad to take me to two concerts within a week?

sportzboytjw

Dude, just go to the Weezer concert. You'll have a blast (and with your dad to make it cooler), and see how he feels about the 2nd concert after that.

(sad regret time. one time my dad bought Globetrotter tickets. I was hell of excited. The day before I decided for some WEIRD reason I did not want to go. I threw a fit and didn't go. He seemed really sad and took my younger bro instead. I'm not sure STILL why I didn't go. I don't know WHAT I was thinking).

whuppins

Something Ridiculous wrote: »

Do you really get the shit kicked out of you at hardcore concerts?

Not at the House of Blues. The House of Blues is like the Disneyworld of music venues. Many of them serve alcohol, though, so make sure it's an all-ages show before you buy tickets.

eric.

You don't get the shit kicked out of you, but there will be a lot of pushing, jumping, and general movement. Also, stay out of the mosh pit if you aren't prepared to be smacked down, because it's always pretty easy to pick out who doesn't know what the fuck to do in one of those things. Have fun!

Al_wat

If you go into a mosh pit, dear god please tie your shoes on TIGHT.

I lost my left shoe in the pit of a Megadeth concert on like the second song of the set. It sucked balls.

Dehumanized

Typically the further away you stand from the stage, the less likely you'll get pushed around. You choice on how you want to handle that.

RUNN1NGMAN

As long as you stay out of the pit you should be fine. I doubt a corporate venue like House of Blues is going to put up with a lot of general ass-hattery or any shoving around of 14-year-old kids. If for nothing else than because they don't want a lawsuit. I've never been to House of Blues though, so I may be completely wrong.

ilmmad

Oh man I was going to go to that Weezer concert but the tickets are hella expensive.

W2

Dehumanized wrote: »

Typically the further away you stand from the stage, the less likely you'll get pushed around. You choice on how you want to handle that.

Yeah it's generally pretty easy to find a spot where you're far enough away to never get bumped around and close enough to be able to see well enough.

I don't know anything about this particular venue but most of the venues I've ever been in have had some kind of upstairs area where you can kinda just lean on the balcony and watch the band.

ImDrawingABlank

I have personally seen Unearth live, and I too am not the biggest kid in the neighborhood, I saw them when I was 16, and I have to say, for anyone that is a fan of their music they put on a GREAT show. Stand back from the stage though, as I can almost guarantee they will at one point pump up the intensity of the mosh pit for a song, and you will (at 14) get beat around a fair bit.

In all though, mosh pits are fairly respectful, if you go down, somebody WILL pull you back up, quickly. I have watched someone get shoved into an elbow and knocked out cold, 4 people surrounded them and carried that person out of the mosh pit to a calmer spot, and ran right back in after. You will always be able to stay out of the pit if you dont think you can handle it, not everyone is there to kick ass, some of us just like the music.

W2

ImDrawingABlank wrote: »

I have personally seen Unearth live, and I too am not the biggest kid in the neighborhood, I saw them when I was 16, and I have to say, for anyone that is a fan of their music they put on a GREAT show. Stand back from the stage though, as I can almost guarantee they will at one point pump up the intensity of the mosh pit for a song, and you will (at 14) get beat around a fair bit.

In all though, mosh pits are fairly respectful, if you go down, somebody WILL pull you back up, quickly. I have watched someone get shoved into an elbow and knocked out cold, 4 people surrounded them and carried that person out of the mosh pit to a calmer spot, and ran right back in after. You will always be able to stay out of the pit if you dont think you can handle it, not everyone is there to kick ass, some of us just like the music.

I don't really do the whole frantic mosh pit thing myself but in a general crowd situation people are usually pretty good at letting you through if you need to move out of the crowd. I went to a bunch of concerts when I was a younger guy (and oh so skinny) and I never felt like I was ever stuck.

Something Ridiculous

Ok, thanks guys. I'm gonna talk to my dad about it. But, the mosh pit situation sounds like it's under control , I dont mind being pushed around a bit.

ImDrawingABlank

right up close to the stage is usually too crowded to become a mosh pit, but being packed so tightly around people makes it hard to get out or breathe occasionally. Just watch out for the asshats that basically run in circles flailing their fists trying to hit people in the face, they are the ones that don't care about others there

EggyToast

As a 14 year old, you may have a lot more fun in general at the Weezer concert due to the larger venue. When I was 13, I went to a concert at a larger venue and it was a lot of fun because, thanks to the space, you didn't feel self conscious (lots of people spaced out).

But I still don't like going to small venues for concerts, mainly due to the audience. You may dig it, but at 14, you might be a little overwhelmed if there's a lot of alcohol, pushing, and bigger dudes around. You might feel like everyone's eyes are on you. I may be wrong, mind, but that's how I would've felt.

But no, you shouldn't worry about physical injury. You only get stomped or pushed if you put yourself in that situation. Most any show will have a large portion of the audience there to listen, not beat each other up. Just don't try to push up right next to the stage.

A-Rod

Youll be fine if you stay in the back, things tend to get really 'squishy' and gross up front. I dont know about you guys, but having sweaty dudes with or without a shirt on, moshing around me is the worst thing about a concert.

If you choose to go into the pit have an extra set of clothes. Youll end up being one of those sweaty dudes, and going back home wet like that sucks ass. I sometimes bring a towel too if I know im going to get into the pit.

Dehumanized

I dunno, I find the sweaty, half-deaf drive back home after a concert to be a pretty integral part of the concert going experience. Piling into a compact car and driving home at 2am with a few other dudes, stopping at some 7-11 on the way to get slurpees. Handing over sweaty, crumpled up dollar bills to the clerk. Making it back home and crawling into bed to pass out. Waking up the next day and throwing everything you've touched in the last 14 hours into the wash.

Tav

Avoid the pit and viola, perfect safety. Go have fun, PTH are awesome and are supposed to put on a good show.

e: Your mom most likely has a warped view of metal/rock concerts. Most people who aren't into the type of music being played there usually assume them to be much worse then they actually are. I went to a Metallica concert during the summer and my parents felt the need to tell me not to take things from strangers. She's concerned, you should be grateful. It would be worse if she didn't give a shit about you. Just explain to her that it's not as bad as all that.

Look PTH up on youtube and look at the crowd and look at the crowd. For the most part, only the people up at the very front right under the speakers are moshing.

Sheep

Dunno about all bands, but generally, moshpitters are "responsible" in that if someone gets knocked down, they get you up, and people who aren't necessarily wanting to mosh but don't mind being a part of it can form the ring around the pit, act as a barrier, etc.

Mosh pits can be hella fun though. Last one I got in was great. People would grab onto my jacket and I would spin around faster and faster, they'd let go and go flying. I'd be so dizzy I'd get sick.

JohnnyCache

The sort of roughness that goes on at a show is a form of dancing and it's much less rough then it really looks. It's also usually confined to the area immediately about 5 feet in front of the band. Between this pit of mosh and the stage there will be about 4 rows of people that want to get really, really close to the band and pack themselves in very tight. If you avoid these two particular areas, the rest of the venue should be pretty normal, especially at a House of Blues. If your dad is like, 35, it's also extremely unlikely he'll see anything at the second show that will shock him or anything. It's not like you're going to GG Allen or something.

Sheep

JohnnyCache wrote: »

The sort of roughness that goes on at a show is a form of dancing and it's much less rough then it really looks. It's also usually confined to the area immediately about 5 feet in front of the band. Between this pit of mosh and the stage there will be about 4 rows of people that want to get really, really close to the band and pack themselves in very tight. If you avoid these two particular areas, the rest of the venue should be pretty normal, especially at a House of Blues. If your dad is like, 35, it's also extremely unlikely he'll see anything at the second show that will shock him or anything. It's not like you're going to GG Allen or something.

RIP

JohnnyCache

P stands for Pieces
R stands for Rot
I just stands for In

PuddingSenator

I'm going to go ahead and say that you should not avoid the mosh pit and try a bit of moshing. Maybe not directly in the center of the pit, but at least around the fringe where there is still movement but things are a bit less kinetic. It really is a part of the experience of going to a concert, especially a metal show.

As another poster said, moshers generally have an etiquette that they follow. They are not going to elbow you in the face, knock you on the ground, and stomp you in the teeth. Generally you'll just get pushed in different directions and bounce around and if you just go with the flow, you'll have a blast.

Definitely don't go and then hide in the back standing perfectly still.

Sheep

JohnnyCache wrote: »

P stands for Pieces
R stands for Rot
I just stands for In

Love GG.

I do not lament the fact that I never got to see him live.

Hlubocky

The HOB in Chicago has a raised section in the back that you can stand in if it is getting too heated below, so I wouldn't worry about it. Just don't get there early and pile onto the front of the stage and expect not to get smashed into oblivion once the show starts.

Seldom

everyone's got the right advice on this, it shouldn't be too worrying, even the mosh pit.
just be aware, guys moshing and flailing about are just having fun, but be careful because they might not be aware of you as a shorter guy at 14. that might just be their elbow height aswell

but yeah, generally there's really good mosh etiquette and if you're not digging it you can just fade back a bit in the crowd and you can find a nice calmer spot that's not too far out of the action or view.


have fun!

Forbe!

House of Blues is really strict on their moshing policy. Depends, also, what city you are in. Most major Chicago Venues had their insurance dropped a while back, and there was a long while where there was a zero tolerance moshing policy. My brother and I actually got kicked out of the House of Blues because they thought they saw us moshing.

muninn

You and your dad will be fine. I am sure there will be other 14 year-olds with their dads out there as well. Every concert has them. Dont stay too close to the stage, dont stand in the middle of the pit, and remember that if things get rough, you can always move to the back.
Remember that people go to these concerts to have fun, and HoB is not some no name dive bar, so there will be security present. And if something goes down, there will be other people there to help you, as shit is usually started by only one or two bad apples. Go and have some fun.

SG Mahonay

There are sure to be a lot of other teenagers there. I'd say don't worry and just have fun. Stay out of the pit if it's looking overly violent. If you do go into the pit for your first time, my advice would be to start with quick run-throughs. Just to get yourself familiar with the feeling of being in one and what to look out for. Also just keep a good distance from anyone that looks like they're looking to start something. If they have any sort of decent security there, the moment a big dude even tries to start something with you he'll be hauled out of there in about 5 seconds.

Also don't forget there will be plenty of girls your age there too, hahah. Don't be afraid to strike up conversation, scoring numbers and concerts is ridiculous easy. That is if you have any time apart from your dad.

Pojaco

Weezer was one of my first shows too, only it cost $7 instead of $45. That's a big bummer.

You'll be alright physically at a hardcore show, but you might want to have sympathy for your poor dad.

Demerdar

Also, if you get to the very front, near the stage you won't get pushed around too much either. Just watch out for crowd surfers (but I doubt there will be any at a hardcore show).

urahonky

Demerdar wrote: »

Also, if you get to the very front, near the stage you won't get pushed around too much either. Just watch out for crowd surfers (but I doubt there will be any at a hardcore show).

Yeah at hardcore shows the middle is where all the action is. I usually hang out in back so I can see the mosh pits start up, and still see the band.

House of Blues is a GREAT place to see a band. I love that venue.

Demerdar

On the HoB... I was unimpressed by it. They were way too strict, and the stage was way too far away from the front of the crowd.

The Dillinger Escape Plan was not pleased.

urahonky

Demerdar wrote: »

On the HoB... I was unimpressed by it. They were way too strict, and the stage was way too far away from the front of the crowd.

The Dillinger Escape Plan was not pleased.

Really now? That's odd. Though I didn't see a Hardcore show at HoB. I went to see Senses Fail/Saves the Day at HoB and I loved it. I also saw Anberlin there and was very pleased with it. But it's probably because they actually had AC and the place was cool.

And this was after they enacted the no smoking law in Ohio, so I didn't have cigarette assholes blowing smoke in my face every two minutes.

Sheep

If I can find a video, I'll post it.

Used to go to EYEHATEGOD shows alot. There was usually a good 10 feet between the audience and the stage. Not fabricated or anything, just Mike Williams had a bad habit of pelting people with beer bottles, spitting, etc.

Good times.

There was one show where they want to do a Black Sabbath cover and ask someone in the audience if they can sing. Some guy gets up there, butchers the song, so Mike starts cutting the guys forehead open with a broken bottle. Guy just kinda stands there, gushing blood.

Good times.

Last time I saw them, was hanging out with Mike back stage. He busted his head open on the mic stand and bled out for a while. Backstage, a friend of mine who is friends with Mike, just takes Mike's beer and downs it. A few days later he calls me up, asks if he really did that, and then asked if I saw any blood in the beer. Mike's not necessarily a picture of health.

Good times.

Arenow

Just one thing: If by any chance you happen to fall to the ground, raise your arm. The Untold Code says that everyone is supposed to grab and help any risen hand between the crowd and the moshpit. I've seen it happen lots of times, and it saved my personal ass in a Slayer concert years ago.

BlackbeardonGuitar

You'll be fine at the hardcore show if you just stay out of the middle and front...generally. I think you usually get as much energy back as you put it. You push some dudes...you'll probably get pushed back, and since theres a good chance theyre bigger than you, it might be harder.