Julio Santos

Before last night, the last time I had been in a mosh pit was in 92 (or was it in 91?) at a Metallica concert in Belgium. Since then I grew up and the closest I got to a mosh pit has been my watching nirvana’s smells like teen spirit, so not very much.

Maybe that’s the way it ought to be. I’m sure it’s way it ought to be, but last night I just couldn’t resist, it was a perfect storm. We got there early when there wasn’t still many people so we were right in front, the band and the crowd were excellent, and I had to jump in the pit.

It was like I remembered, with the adrenaline rush and everything. Having to stay alert to avoid having my nose broken (or breaking someone else’s) is one of the funniest things. I guess it’s a little like being in a melee or driving at 150 mphs, except there’s great music in the background and you’re unlikely to die.

Oh yeah, the music. Manu Chao and his band played all the good stuff, including Mano Negra stuff. The crowd was interesting: young punks, latino gangs, middle age French people, rastas. I guess that’s the typical manu chao audience.

Also, if you’re reading this and you lost your glasses in the pit last night, let me know, I found them. They’re still intact also :p