I wanted to write a really snippy headline to this post, but I think this needs to be taken very seriously. According to an AP newswire, moshing, or what they call ‘slam dancing,’ was recently banned at clubs around the city of Boston. The newswire can be seen on most major news publications such as The Washington Post. Quotes from the article can be found after the break, as well as some more coverage.

“Police recently cited a city club for allowing violent mosh pit dancing and vowed a crackdown on what they called “dangerous behavior” and a “public safety hazard.” “Police say the dance violated safety rules and the club was cited because security did not intervene. The club has agreed to put up signs that say mosh pits are banned.”

According to The Boston Herald, the citation was the result of a 60 person mosh pit at the House of Blues during the Flogging Molly concert on February 21. You can read the full Boston Herald coverage here where they speak to some bands who weigh in on this issue.

Here at UTG we support all styles of music, as well the entirety of the live experience. Moshing is an integral part of the punk and hardcore culture, so for Boston (who has a notoriously huge hardcore scene) to crack down on this is honestly similar to silencing the freedom of those who attend these types of shows. Now that may sound extreme, but as a website that has a lot of writers who are a part of this scene this simply is not acceptable.

What do you think of this whole situation? Let UTG know in the comments.