Gig Etiquette: The Dos and Dont’s For Gig-Goers

Since lockdown ended and restrictions lifted as the world entered a post-pandemic era, more and more music fans have gone out to support their favourite bands and artists, either local or internationally renowned. Beforehand, in the darkest days of the pandemic, many fans, especially those young and internet savvy, were learning more and more about these musicians and couldn’t wait to finally experience their first gig. However, a lot of that learning is usually on the road, so to speak, and many new fans jumped into the deep end before they learned how to swim. As such, there’s a lot of hints and guides on gigs that many have missed out on, especially from the veteran gig-goers. To continue making gigs a safe and enjoyable time for all, new fans and old, here are a number of handy pieces of gig etiquette advice for all to use and share with their fellow music enthusiasts.

DO: Pick Up Anyone Who Falls In The Pit

Moshing is going to happen at any rock and metal gig, whether people love it or hate it. It’s a great excursion of energy to be used in a safe environment, especially during a breakdown or rapid-fire riff.. However, sometimes people fall when they’re jumping around and pushing each other, so help pick them up as soon as you see them fall to keep the flow of the pit going and make sure they’re not hurt. If you notice any item like a phone or glasses on the ground, pick them up as soon as you see them so they don’t get stomped on by people jumping. Once the song is over, ask the people around who these small items belong to so they can be returned to the rightful owner. Leaving with a few bruises is typical, but no one wants their phone smashed or leaving the venue in an ambulance. 

DON’T: Push Your Way To The Front

It’s always great to make the barrier at gigs, especially when it’s your favourite band or artist, but it’s not guaranteed, even if you are small. Gig placement is a first come-first serve basis in spots, no matter how tall you are, so pushing your way to the front is not the way to go. You can still see the bands and artists from any point in the venue. If you do struggle to see, politely asking someone to move to the left or right is a much more viable solution instead of rudely pushing past someone or making up a story of “my friend is over there”. Plus, the front is usually where the mosh pit opens up, so if you don’t want to be pushed around on the edge, maybe standing further to the back or side is the ideal spot for the show.

DO: Put Your Phone Away

This might sound ‘boomer’ or ‘old man shouts at clouds’, but you don’t need to watch the whole gig through your phone. It might be the popular trend of posting everything someone’s doing when they attend a gig, but why not put it away after taking only a couple of photos and enjoy the moment? In addition, keeping phones in pockets or bags would save them from being dropped or accidentally knocked out of hands by mosh pits and crowd surfers. Some bands, like TOOL, have a system in place where phones are locked away so audience members don’t have a choice. Save the trouble, enjoy the moment, and relish the music. 

DON’T: Drop A Crowd-Surfer

This is related to the advice with mosh pits, but stage diving and crowd surfing is also something that happens at a lot of gigs, especially in DIY and small-scale hardcore shows, even if venues try to ban it from happening. As such, if someone is passing over you, you continue to carry them along the crowd. If they jump off the stage, you catch them. Allowing them to drop is horrible and ruins the experience for everyone. Make the gig enjoyable for everyone attending, do not make it all about you, so treat other fans with respect and help them continue surfing the crowd without getting hurt. 

DO: Respect The Musician On Stage

At the end of the day, musicians are just people who get to live out their dreams and perform music for the masses, big or small. For fans who might have only seen them through their phones, they may seem like other beings that are on a different plain to them. But the same respect still applies, don’t touch or grab them unless they have given the consent for you to do so. It’s also worth attending the gig early and viewing the support band as well – you might just discover your new favourite band supporting another band you like, but you won’t know unless you’re there for more than just the headliner.

DON’T: Forget To Take Earplugs

Tinnitus is no joke, so it’s a good idea to take some earplugs with you. They won’t block out the sound entirely, as the decibels are loud enough for music to still be heard, but the earplugs will help soften the sound travelling into your eardrums and make sure you don’t go deaf due to the loud music coming from the speakers. If you don’t have any earplugs, venues usually give them out for free, so ask a bartender for a pair and they’ll be more than happy to give you some so you can enjoy the performances without worrying about that ringing in your ears come morning.

There are many other tidbits that many gig goers will tell you, and some bands will have a different atmosphere from another. The main thing to remember is that, whilst you have a good time enjoying the music, don’t forget to look out for your fellow fans. They’re here for the same reason as you are, so treat them the same way you would like to be treated. Look out for the people around you, but also make sure you’re safe as you jump and mosh around to your favourite songs. It’s always fantastic finally seeing the band or artist that you’ve been wanting to see for years, but make that memory last for a last time by being a nice person too.