Fans are resorting to wearing diapers to maintain front-row positions at concerts, a trend that has become increasingly common since the pandemic. Olivia Rodrigo recently revealed she could smell fans wearing diapers at her shows, saying, “That’s been an experience as a performer that I have smelled.”
Incidents of audience effluence
Last month, a video of a stadium worker cleaning up human excrement at a Noah Kahan gig went viral, prompting Kahan to post on X: “If you have to poop at a show please dear god just go to the bathroom lmao.” This week, a fan of US country star Morgan Wallen complained that he, his brother, and his niece were urinated on by another concertgoer, and police are investigating. In 2024, someone urinated on the floor of the standing section of a Sabrina Carpenter concert, causing a run on “pit diapers.”
Why fans endure extreme measures
The front row of a gig is a sacred space, offering the best view and a chance to be noticed by the artist. Since the pandemic, hard-won spots have become more coveted. The cost of VIP pit tickets has rocketed, stan culture has grown more feral, and social media value of clear gig footage is at a premium. Surprise celeb cameos are now built into many pop shows, increasing the incentive to stay put.
Fans develop hydration strategies to avoid needing the toilet. Katie, a seasoned Swiftie, drank loads of water the day before and then had a hard cutoff at midday. She used energy gels and glucose tablets to stay hydrated without needing a break. “No point in getting barricade if you faint during the first era!” she said.
Fan-run queue systems
To secure barrier spots, fans use strict queue conventions with numbers written on hands. However, these systems are not always respected. Some artists have pushed back; for Bring Me the Horizon’s Manchester gig, fan numbering was not acknowledged, and order of entry was selected at random. Louis Tomlinson introduced randomized wristbands to remove the incentive to queue for hours.
Despite the extremes, the barrier is generally a place of bonhomie. Friendships are made, and core memories created. Even one fan who attempted to use a sanitary towel as a makeshift diaper and ended up soaked has no regrets: “It was worth it,” she said.
