American folk-pop musician Noah Kahan asked concert-goers to recite a pledge not to poop on the floor or in their pants during his shows [1].
The request follows a viral video that showed a fan defecating on the floor during a performance in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania [1], [2]. The incident raised concerns regarding venue hygiene and the behavior of attendees during live events.
Kahan addressed the issue with a tongue-in-cheek approach, urging fans to maintain cleanliness. "Dear god, just go to the bathroom," Kahan said [2]. He further encouraged the crowd to be proactive about their needs, saying, "Please, just use the restroom before the show" [3].
While the musician focused on the necessity of using facilities, he also shared a personal anecdote to lighten the mood. "I s--t myself onstage in Charlottesville but that’s because I am dedicated to my craft," Kahan said [2].
Reports on the specific nature of the pledge vary. Some accounts state that fans recited a pledge specifically not to poop on the floor [1], while other reports indicate the musician urged fans not to poop their pants [2]. There are also conflicting reports regarding where the pledge was administered, with some sources citing a show at Rogers Stadium in Toronto [2].
The musician's appeal aims to discourage fans from defecating in the venue to ensure a sanitary environment for both the staff, and other attendees [1], [2].
“"Dear god, just go to the bathroom."”
This incident highlights the challenges performers face with crowd management and venue sanitation in the era of viral social media clips. By using humor to address a graphic hygiene issue, Kahan attempts to set behavioral expectations for his audience without alienating his fan base.
