Failing to find anything more interesting to do, you move up toward the stage area and wait around, telling yourself that if more people show up, you’ll have a good spot reserved right at the front! As you settle in and pull out your phone so you at least look busy, some guy with a greasy ponytail comes up and points at you energetically.
“You don’t look too busy! Do me a favor. Hold these for a minute.” Before you can say anything, he’s shoving an assortment of electrical cables into your arms. “I’ll be right back! Thanks dude. You’re the best!”
For the next 20 minutes or so, the guy (who you learn is named Scott, and who is the owner of the garage) sets up the sound system, with you as his reluctant lackey. When it’s done, you start to ask Scott how old he is, but the music starts up before you can get a word in. It’s hard to tell, but considering his looks and the fact that he apparently owns a house where he lets a bunch of teenagers hang out, he must be about a decade older than everyone else at the show. Congrats, you've met that one weird middle-aged guy who inexplicably hangs around at every DIY show. Maybe steer clear of him in the future.
Whew! Well, you found the stage, met some weirdos and now you’re here! You’re at your very first DIY show. The band is really groovy, everyone seems to be having a good time and you think you’re even building up enough confidence to ask one of the girls with Doc Martens to take a picture of you for Instagram next to a cool tapestry hanging by the stage.
You’re thinking about what to caption it (Maybe “bby’s first college show!!” or “support local bands!” would be cool?) when a short girl with lots of tattoos makes eye contact and grins at you as the music gains tempo. You smile back. She says something friendly you can’t decipher over the music. Wow! Is she flirting?
Nope! She’s just initiating a mosh. She pushes you. Hard. The guy behind you spills his drink down your back. You’ve never done this before! What if someone gets hurt?
Choose one.
Get into the groove and push the girl back before you can psych yourself out.