Job Duties
I spoke to gig door supervisor Pete Harris about his experiences working at music events in London. Describing his role at events, Pete explained that his role requires him to do many different jobs before and during the gigs. “I work in crowd management, which could encompass many things but mainly includes queue management, checking tickets, and searching the public. This can include having to make difficult decisions on whether to let individuals into an event, as some people turn up under the influence and are disorderly even before the gigs, so it is for their safety and for the safety of others that we have to decide whether to let them into the venue. Many scenarios arise, including people fainting, crowd surfing and a few fights”.
On his responsibilities during the concert, Pete detailed that: “In the pit, many scenarios arise, including people fainting, crowd surfing, and a few fights. Our job is to make sure everyone is safe, which can be difficult, but I always work with a good team”.
On the difference of concertgoers between each event, Pete said “Each gig is different depending on the artist on stage. For example, a Parkway Drive gig at the Roundhouse had around 400 crowd surfers, which was a busy night”. Pete then mentioned that he had also had experiences at music festivals: “I have worked at both Download festival and the Lowlands festival which were quite different from the typical events, but my role was still mostly the same”.
Personal Experiences
Harris recalled incidents at concerts he has worked out that stand out for him: “I’ve worked a show at the Hammersmith where Iggy Pop attempted to leap into the crowd, but landed on a barrier instead, which I can imagine was really painful”, he said. “A man also jumped off of a balcony at Shepherds Bush Empire and the show was stopped for 45 minutes while an ambulance came to take him to the hospital”.
Pete also remembered an event in which the performer in question stopped the concert early: “I was working a Morrissey gig at the Roundhouse, during which he walked off stage after just a few songs, which was very memorable for me”.
Briefly listing some of his personal highlights at gigs, Pete remembered: “Working at the AC/DC gig at the Hammersmith Apollo was brilliant. Working for the Rolling Stones during their dress rehearsal in Clapham was just as incredible.”
“I also worked a show in which Metallica played in front of a small crowd of 300 people on Regent Street, which was awesome as they played for a group of their most hardcore fans”.
On whether he feels there is a perception on security workers from concertgoers, Harris explained that: “we’re not there to be difficult, we want the gig to run as smoothly as possible, so I hope fans see that instead of thinking of us in a negative light. I like my job as I love music and I have a positive attitude, so I hope that fans will come to gigs and just enjoy the music,” he emphasised.
