On Oct. 18, I attended Pierce The Veil’s show at the Ruoff in Noblesville, IN. I had purchased pit tickets, and this show was going to be my first time in a real pit. Needless to say, I was pretty nervous about this, as I had heard horror stories about pits at PTV concerts. However, since I am here writing this, I obviously survived in one piece. Here are some of my tips on concert etiquette and how to survive a pit.
Like I previously mentioned, I had heard numerous stories about people getting severely injured, being super rude and having no concert etiquette at these shows. My experience wasn’t that bad at all, and it was actually better than I anticipated. There were still a couple mishaps and things that could’ve been avoided, though, but for the most part it was great.
My first tip is just to be courteous to other people. Being in a pit can be intense, especially when everybody’s fighting for their favorite artists’ attention. Just being aware of your surroundings and being respectful to others can go a long way.
Speaking of being aware of your surroundings, if people are crowdsurfing, try your best to not let them fall. A lot of times being in a pit includes things like moshing and crowdsurfing, so just be prepared to be involved in those whether you anticipate it or not.
I CAN’T HEAR YOU. Pierce The Veil’s Vic Fuentes sings into a light-up megaphone during Pierce The Veil’s I Can’t Hear You tour.
That being said, if someone next to you falls down or is struggling in some way, help them out. Leaving someone on the ground to fend for themselves is only going to cause more problems in the future for not only them, but the people around them. If someone gets sick or needs to leave the pit, make room to let them through. Pits can get intense at times, and it’s important to care for those around you. You’re all there for the same reason, so it’s best to enjoy it together.
This next tip is a very important one: stay hydrated! Like I previously mentioned, pits can and most likely will get tiring and sweaty. You absolutely need to stay hydrated so you don’t risk passing out and endangering yourself and those around you.
If you have your heart set on getting into the barricade or somewhere close to the front of the pit, arrive early. Do not show up after everybody else and push your way to the front. It’s super disrespectful to the people that showed up early and might have even camped out. If you’re not willing to arrive at the venue early, don’t expect to be at the very front.
Overall, just be prepared for whatever may be thrown at you (both literally and figuratively) in any pit that you’re in. Be respectful to those around you, stay hydrated and have a good time.
