Concert behavior

I have noticed many things, now that I am looking more closely at people and situations. Although my listening is sometimes hindered by my bad ear, I feel really in tune with communication and how it's standards change once the setting changes.

For example:
Not too long ago I went to a concert (Mindless Self Indulgence (MSI), if it matters) and everyone would play it cool and relaxed during the opening bands. everyone had their defined space and others knew how close they could get without invading it. Once the annoucement came on that MSI was about to come on, everyone quickly pushed their way up as far as they could to the front, not caring who they knocked over or grinded up against in the process. You would wait there while the crowd behind you pushed you forward, and in return the ones in the front wanting to keep their spaces pushed back. You literally feel like theres a tug of war, and you are a fiber of the rope. Everyone was pushed up against each other. When it got to be too much for some people, they would try to work their ways out of the crowd. This created a hole in the mob, so people would push even harder to fill in the hole and get a better view. This all sounds crazy, and it was...but that's nothing until the music starts.

When MSI started their set (and mind you, they are a prety loud, uppity band) people went NUTS. even though they had no room to move in any direction, they would start jumping up and down, pushing and shoving in time to the music and something forms that frequent concert go-ers call a "Mosh Pit".

Even though there are no more social boundaries by this point, they are definately pushed even more during a mosh pit. Depending on the style and tone of the band will have alot to do with how violent/dangerous the mosh will be. A typical mosh pit just consists of people pushing each other out to form a small circle in the crowd. then someone will push/shove someone and in turn they will push/shove them. It is all based on the energy and sometimes, rage, of the band. If people are really drunk and into it, sometimes punching and other violent actions will occur. Mind you, there was probably no real confrontation or problem...people just go in the circle to literally get their ass kicked because it is what is deemed "hardcore" in this day and age's music society. I for one do not partake in mosh pits, but sometimes you don't have a choice. If someone feels the need to push you into the circle, theres no turning back. The only way to come out alive and without broken appendages or accessories (I wear glasses and I have been through a couple becuase of stupid moshers) is to push with all of your might and use the bigger people around you to guard you and push them into who is trying to push you. It all sounds so immature, but when you are in the moment of the music, and the tone of the song gets to be intense or angry...or just plain loud..people respond with body language...and sometimes that language is DIRTY.

If you are claustrophobic, have panic attacks, gag at the thought of strangers cash and prizes gracing very bluntly across your body, etc you might want to skip moshes at concerts. I try to as much as possible, but when people start to push u in all sorts of directions and make room in the middle of the floor:BEWARE. you might just be in for a very bumpy, sweaty ride.

Also: watch out for the crowd surfers. Since most of them are drunk and out of their minds, they can get scared while being tossed around and might just decide to regain her stance right where your head is. If you see a crowd surfer coming towards you, especially feet first...duck or cover your head, because I have had many migranes because of stupid drunks kicking me in the back of the head when they want down.

That is all of my observations for now.
Jes