...was filled with some super lame kids. I fucking hate wigglers, go wiggle somewhere else

maybe i'm out of the loop but what the hell is a wiggler?

the crowd was really tame at the alley show last night too. But they said they still had a blast, hope they come back next year.

Wigglers are the kids who rhythmically writhe to music. I mean do your own thing and have fun, but do not harass me when I'm having a blast and it is harshing your mellow.

I do not want to sound tough or cool or look down on anyone, but in Miami kids rage hard and no one complains. Been to shows in the smallest of Miami apartments and people are jumping off the furniture and circle pitting and just having a lot of fun. There is a big difference between getting mad at some tough guy who is crowd killing on purpose and people who are just stomping around and doing what you do at a flipping punk show.

Whatever I am definitely raging right now.

/rant

This is a major reason why I stopped going to shows in DC when I lived there, and why I tend to avoid house shows now. Everybody should have the space to do what they want to do in peace, but it's astonishing how much of an oppressive buzzkill this sort of thing can be, both because it locks up the dancefloor and because it tends to come with a too-cool-for-school vibe.

I hear you on not wanting to get harassed when you're having a blast. Nobody wants that, even the people getting punched, kicked, and dove on from behind. Sometimes it's better for everyone if you find a way to have fun that doesn't involve running into, and knocking over people who just want to dance. I grew up in Miami and I got sick of getting kicked in the face repeatedly while standing against a wall at shows. Where am I supposed to go when I want to see the band, maybe shake my hips, and not get hit? This attitude of how I want to dance is more important than everyone being able to have a good time really needs to stop. It bums people out.

I understand everyone has fun differently, I'm just saying look around before you start throwing your body. Everyone will appreciate it. I haven't stopped going to hardcore shows because of it, but I know a lot of people who have. All I'm saying is when you're trying to build some kind of community, it's helpful to consider others.

In the history page on the main Fest site:

"Four years without any fights. That is why you don't book hardcore bands that ninjas like"

That sums up perfectly why I love moshing at Fest compared to most hardcore shows I go to. It really bothers me when kids have something to prove with their moshing. I flail my arms around and jump on people as much as the next guy but I wish kids would be a little more courteous, you know?

While it might not be fair, I believe that I hate the following things in equal measure: unwarranted punches, kicks, shoves, stage-diving feet to the face, and sanctimonious dirty looks for leaving your square foot of space or expressing too much excitement.

In summary, I can't stand being at shows where people don't know how to dance without clumsily stepping on somebody's toes in one way or another, where there is not a social contract which allows everybody to have a good time.

I've never ever been to a show in Miami, so I can't comment on that one.

I guess this explains why Fest mainly books melodic hardcore bands, and that makes perfect sense. Always less fighting/very few fights when those bands play as opposed to bands with siqmoshparts, bro.

To be fair, I did hear quite a few breakdowns over the course of the weekend, but I guess the overall lineup isn't ninja-riffic enough to warrant the trip down from gladiator-land.

Fest 10.
Terror and Hatebreed at the Civic Media Center.
Mosh on all you pussies.

There is usually a clearly defined mosh pit. The people around the wall of it (I'm usually one of them) expect people running into them and to somewhat gently push them back in, which is fine as long as the ones inside aren't trying to bash the people that don't feel like moshing. At the past few Fests and the 2 HOH fests, there have been a group of ginger fuckers that just LOVE pushing the fuck out of random people. It's like they enjoy pissing off 40 people they can't see and getting shoved back.

Sometimes I'm in the pit, most times I'm not. As long as people don't try to make everyone else join in on whatever they think is more fun, it's all good. Punk or not, me catching a good enough hit is sufficient reason for you to get a beating. Pull your hits and don't involve people that don't want to be involved and everyone's happy.

And crowd-surfers, don't ball up, jack asses. Spread your weight out and don't try to crawl on people. If you don't like it, don't expect me to hold you up.

i think this would be a good place to repost the Converge video from Gainesville Fest 02
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kF53PxPa26M

that being said I would love to see a Botch reunion