Music

Flogging Molly concert prompts Boston's city-wide crack down on "slam dancing"

by Tyler Munro

Boston police have cited a local venue for allowing an allegedly violent mosh-pit, calling it “dangerous behavior” and a “public safety hazard,” with the Associated Press first reporting that “police say 60 concertgoers [were] engaged in slam dance.”

And if you’re wondering what violent, riotous concert caused such an uproar from police, it wasn’t a hardcore, punk or death metal show. Nope. It was a Flogging Molly concert. While their shows have been known to get a bit rowdy, their pits aren’t exactly up to par with that of a Slayer concert.

According to the Boston Herald, police cited the House of Blues with a license violation, saying that security failed to intervene in the “violent altercation”. The report goes on to note that while the crowd was reportedly “colliding into each other,” there were no injuries reported from the gig.

With its hands tied and tail between its legs, the venue has reportedly agreed to put up a “no moshing” sign just in time for a string of sold out Dropkick Murphy’s St. Paddy’s day gigs.

“I understand cracking down on fighting, but [moshing] is a form of expression. It’s ridiculous they’re cracking down on this now. There are plenty of other problems,” said the Red Chord’s Guy Kozowyk. “The city of Boston needs to stay out of it.”

“Dancing is a First Amendment right, but the behaviour itself is a violation, especially when it becomes dangerous and a public safety hazard,” says a Boston police spokesperson, obviously oblivious to the fact that, again, it’s not exactly taking part in a crowded mall.

“It’s disheartening and maddening to know your hometown doesn’t support or understand your music scene,” says Trevor Phipps, vocalist for Boston based metalcore band Unearth, who adds that Boston’s new anti-moshing policy is a sign that the city “hates heavy music”.