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Babymetal announce ‘silent mosh pits’ at Japanese shows
By Andy Malt | Published on Monday 28 November 2022
Babymetal have announced that they will be including quiet areas at the Japan shows that kick off their world tour for people uncomfortable with the more raucous side of metal audiences. What they’re slightly clunkily referring to as their “silent mosh’sh pit”, they say, “is a designated area for those who have small children [or] who are not confident in their physical strength”.
There are rules if you want to stand in this area, with a post on the band’s Facebook page explaining that you should “refrain from activities such as shouting, cheering, talking loudly, or any other behaviour that may be an inconvenience to other customers”. However, “singing/reacting at a level where only the person next to you can hear is acceptable”.
While it might seem easy to mock the idea of people wanting to be quiet at a metal show, there are numerous reasons why people might be fans of the genre but still not massively enjoy having audience members shout and shove them around during a gig.
Being a child or fearing injury are two possible reasons identified by Babymetal and their management, but many neurodivergent people also find the more chaotic side of being in a metal audience difficult, despite enjoying the music. Having this area available opens up the opportunity to attend the Babymetal show to more people and allows fans to enjoy the band in whatever way they wish.
There will also be mandatory face mask rules in place – Japan still being cautious about the spread of COVID-19. Fans will be provided with special Babymetal branded masks upon entry. This is, they say, “the official dress code for the show and you will be required to wear it on top of your own mask upon entering the venue and throughout the entire show”.
Wearing the masks “will be mandatory up to when you exit the venue after the performance has ended” and “those who do not comply to these rules will be asked to leave”.
It is not clear if the silent mosh pit area or face mask rules will be in place at shows outside Japan. The tour will be in support of the band’s new album, ‘The Other One’, which is set for release on 24 Mar. There will be four UK dates on the tour, which are as follows:
14 Apr: Leeds, First Direct Arena
15 Apr: London, Wembley Arena
16 Apr: Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
18 Apr: Glasgow, Hydro Arena
