Protecting the Pit: Concert Barricade Management Strategies

When the music pulses and the crowd surges, the pit becomes a powder keg of energy and excitement. But with great enthusiasm comes great risk. That's why protecting the pit is crucial - it's the frontline of fan safety, where a single misstep can spell disaster. From stage-jumpers to crowd crushes, the consequences of poor barricade management can be devastating.

Keeping Staff ATTUNE to crowd behavior

To prevent disruptions and ensure a smooth show, our stage security staff must be engaged with the crowd, vigilant for:

• Projectiles

• Medical aid

• Stage Jumpers

It's crucial to keep eyes on the fans, ready to respond to medical emergencies like fainting or heat exhaustion. Protecting both the fans and the artist includes watching for projectiles and stage jumpers. A strong core team makes all the difference in effective event management.

Building a Strong Core Team

A well-structured barricade team is vital to successful concerts and festivals. This team should be comprised of knowledgeable, experienced, and responsible members, divided into five key areas:

• Stage Security (preventing stage breach)

• Pickers (identifying trouble or collecting crowd surfers)

• Movers (escorting collected fans out of the barricade)

• Credential Check

• Media/VIP Support

Each role is crucial, and staff should specialize in their assigned tasks to ensure everyone's safety.

Controlled Removal of Policy Breakers

A basic concert team should include stage security, credential checks, and media/VIP support. For mega festivals or specific genres, consider adding Pickers, Movers, and a Chute Management team to handle crowd surfers, policy breakers, and medical support. The goal is to have a cohesive unit that controls the removal of fans when necessary to protect them from harm. With mega festivals, it’s important to have these teams staffed properly in order to effectively prevent the crowd from injury. 

Preventing Injuries

To prevent injuries, staff must be attentive and prepared to help. Provide water for both staff and crowd, and keep medical care nearby. Pickers and Movers can support medical teams by extracting fans from crowded areas and relieving crowd crushing by removing fans from the pit. These types of medical and crowd crushing relief strategies help keep fans safe during concerts. 

Effective barricade management is essential for concerts. By keeping staff engaged, having an experienced core team, and controlling the crowd through support, we can provide a safe and enjoyable experience for all patrons. 

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