Livehouse This Town Needs has condemned instances of sexual harassment that occurred at a concert it hosted by While She Sleeps.
The English metalcore band was performing at the music venue in Yau Tong on Monday, where the organiser said a female fan had been “intentionally harassed” during the show.
“Mosh Pit, Circle Pit and diving are cultures at heavy metal music events. If someone took advantage to willfully harass others, the organisers express their strong condemnation,” This Town Needs said in a Facebook post on Tuesday.
A mosh pit or circle pit refers to the area, usually near the front of the stage of a concert, where participants push or slam into each other. They are frequent occurrences at metal and hardcore concerts.
This Town Needs said it would not tolerate any similar incidents happening again.
“We urge female fans to be more careful of their own safety when they enjoy shows, and we hope fans to help and take care of each other, to beware of suspicious people around. They should help stop offenders immediately, seek assistance from staff and report to the police,” it said.
This Town Needs is the rebranded venue associated with its embattled predecessor Hidden Agenda. The fourth incarnation of Hidden Agenda closed in 2017 after a series of raids conducted by food and hygiene officers and the police.
The venue’s name is a reference to This Town Needs Guns (TTNG), one of the bands arrested for performing at the venue without a work visa in May 2017.
HKFP has reached out to This Town Needs and While She Sleeps for comment.
