Recently I got the opportunity to see my favorite band, Waterparks, live. It was a really wonderful experience and I had a really amazing time. However, there were a few incidents at this concert that required me to properly review the unspoken rules of rock concerts. While other concerts, of different genres, can be tamer in the atmosphere, rock has an air of violence, which can have consequences at concerts.

Rock concerts usually have a “pit” or a group of people that mosh or headbang together. It can be violent, with some people hitting or pushing others. Some concert-goers may be pushed to the ground and stomped on as a result. For younger people, this can be even more dangerous, as they tend to be naive. At the parts of the concert where people begin to form a pit, if you feel uncomfortable participating, please move to the sides or back of the venue. In preparation, you should know that if you feel uncomfortable being a part of the pit, stay away from the barricade, which is usually located right in front of the stage.

Rock concerts that are smaller than one thousand people tend to be standing room only, meaning that if you get tired, you aren’t allowed to sit down. Usually, these venues have a bar and merch stand. These bars tend to have a loose rule, that anyone with a ticket may be allowed a free cup of water after the concert. Any other food or drink is an extra charge, so be prepared with spare cash if you are hungry or thirsty. If you wish to leave the standing room to buy merch, know that you may lose your spot in the crowd. However, since most of these concerts don’t have seats, you are free to move about the venue. If you wish to move closer to the stage, you are free to do so, but be careful not to shove anyone.

One of the most important unspoken rules is that everyone should respect the artist’s personal space, especially if they walk into the audience or crowd surf. Even crowd surfers who are other concert-goers deserve respect, try not to drop or injure crowd surfers, and if you feel uncomfortable at any time, move to the sides or back of the venue. Also, and I can not stress this enough, do not block the bathroom exits.  Most of the things I’ve mentioned should be common sense, but in the atmosphere, many people are negligent.