Trapped in every student’s soul is an immutable desire to mosh. Whether that be in a crowd of hundreds or alone in a crusty bedroom, mosh culture is fundamental to the plight of every student. As the age old saying goes: “Up there’s for thinking, down there’s for dancing.” The phrase works better when gestures are involved, but we’re sure the implications are not lost on you. Alas, whispers from the student body suggest mosh culture is ceasing to be as soul-quenching as it once was. Reports from this year's O-Week alone portray a mosh corrupted by sin. Students thoughtlessly thrashing into one another in efforts to get to the front of the crowd saw an unbalanced mosh which was either too thickly or too sparsely populated, like a poor vegemite spreading attempt. But what do the students embroiled in the seething carnage have to say about the drastic changes?
Bridie, a mosh-hardened student, reflected on the new culture, saying, “You always come away with a lot of bruises.” Despite this claim, Bridie then went on to explain that one “always has a good time in a mosh even though there’s not that many… Someone should host a mosh party to change that.” Bridie’s claims paint mosh culture in an interesting light, one where the mosh is simultaneously exhilarating and violent. Unfortunately, Bridie’s testimony did little to explain the drastic changes which mosh culture has been grappling with in recent years. In an act of desperation to answer this question, Critic Te Ārohi had a chat with our photographer Connor who has witnessed countless mosh pits while on the prowl for photos.
In a moment of prophetic wisdom, Connor mused that “moshes have been very pushy in the past but the atmosphere has changed completely. Pushy moshes are the worst,” he said. “What you’ve got now is the occasional fight breaking out but a more relaxed vibe.” Putting Connor in his place, Critic Te Ārohi’s Designer Molly spoke up to defend the mosh madness of yesteryear. Molly said, “True moshing comes from punk. It's a response to institutionalism. At the end of the day, it's a healthy, safe way to let out emotion.” With fire in her eyes Molly continued, “You’re there for the violence…and when you get knocked over, people pick you back up without hesitation.” Tensions were running high in the Critic office after these conflicting interviews, reflecting the immense importance and intensity of mosh culture.
A clear picture of today’s mosh culture emerges when merging these viewpoints. Like Connor suggested, moshes of today are pushy at times and at other times disparate, perhaps reflecting the atomised nature of individuals within society. Unable to push against one another, mosh monsters of today have no suitable means to express themselves; their anger has been bottled up. Instead, violence erupts spontaneously as individuals crack under the expectations which are put upon them by the ever-watchful eye of the mosh. Mosh culture really is this deep, Critic Te Ārohi swears.
To gain a more substantive perspective on the matter, Critic Te Ārohi managed to venture outside the office to speak with Sociology professor Marcelle Dawson. Speaking generally, Dawson commented that “humans are social creatures and need other humans to survive. It’s as simple as that. People need to commune with one another, both to fulfill and to express their shared humanity.” Though Dawson’s idealism was admiral, it would be bold for anyone to attribute a desire for shared humanity to the teeth-gritting carnage of mosh culture. Elaborating on dance specifically, Dawson said, “Particular forms of dance can also be used as a show of defiance or resistance against oppression. The knock-on effect is a sense of solidarity among those who are participating against a common oppressor.” Substantiating Molly’s claims, Dawson depicts dance as a necessary sociological tool used to inspire solidarity amongst embittered souls. Doesn’t that just make you want to mosh?
In Dawson’s response, we find both a picture of what the mosh should be and thus the key to unlocking its potential now. To reclaim the former glory of the mosh we must not let ourselves be atomized by our own self-consciousness and fear. Instead the mosh must be symbolic of the societal unity and change which we wish to see reflected in the world. Thus, the solution to a degraded mosh culture is simple: bust a move and don’t be afraid to give yourself entirely to the mosh. Moshing is a trust activity, and mutual trust breeds mutual compassion. Even if it can be violent at points, don’t be afraid to let yourself go - someone will always be there to pick you up.