A Devilskin show in New Zealand was briefly halted Saturday night after a concertgoer defecated in the mosh pit, leading to widespread vomiting and distress among attendees.
The incident occurred midway through the band’s set at the University of Otago’s Union Hall in Dunedin on July 25. Devilskin were performing as part of their Be Like the River 10th-anniversary tour, celebrating the 2016 album that topped the New Zealand charts.
According to witnesses, a middle-aged man in the pit shook feces from his pant leg onto the floor. Concertgoer Damian Radburnd told local outlet Stuff that the man “proceeded to shake a log down his leg” before attempting to kick it away, which only spread the material further.
As the crowd continued moshing, the mess was tracked across the floor and onto people’s feet and legs. One anonymous attendee described the deposit to the Otago Daily Times as “huge… massive… the size of a shoe,” adding that the smell triggered a chain reaction: “One girl went bleh — just vomited on the s**t — and then everyone else starts vomiting.”
Fans fled the pit area, with some left crying in the foyer. One woman was seen with vomit in her hair and fecal matter on her legs. Attendees characterized the scene as “feral.”
Frontwoman Jennie Skulander stopped the performance after noticing the crowd’s reaction and asked if someone was sick. Once informed of the cause, she responded, “Poo! Ew!” Venue staff cleaned the area, and the show later resumed, though many fans avoided returning to the pit.
Security and local police identified the man, who was escorted from the venue. No charges were filed. The Otago University Students’ Association, which operates the hall, described the event as “an unfortunate medical incident,” stating it was not deliberate and that the individual remained clothed and cooperated with staff.
Devilskin later addressed the disruption with characteristic humor, posting a mock advertisement for a “Diaper of Doom” adult nappy aimed at preventing similar issues on the remainder of the tour.
