Indie folk singer-songwriter Noah Kahan asked concertgoers to pledge they will not defecate in their pants or on venue floors during his shows.
The request highlights the challenges performers face with crowd behavior and hygiene in large-scale venues, where unsanitary incidents can disrupt the experience for thousands of attendees.
Kahan made the plea during his Great Divide Tour, specifically during a performance in Toronto [4]. The singer addressed the audience, asking them to swear a specific oath to maintain cleanliness. He asked fans to repeat, "I solemnly swear I will not shit my pants, and if I do, I won't take it from my pants and put it on the floor" [4].
The singer's unusual request followed an incident where a fan allegedly pooped on the floor at a recent concert [1, 2]. Kahan noted that such events impact the performer's experience as well as the audience's. "That's been an experience as a performer that I've smelled," Kahan said [5].
Beyond the humorous framing of the pledge, Kahan urged fans to prioritize basic hygiene to ensure the safety, and comfort of the crowd. "If you have to poop at a show please dear god just go to the bathroom lmao," Kahan said [1].
The incident was reported by several outlets on June 28, 2026 [5]. While the singer used humor to address the situation, the core of the message focused on preventing further unsanitary occurrences at his remaining tour dates. Kahan's appeal comes as artists increasingly navigate the unpredictable nature of live event crowds and the subsequent logistical burdens placed on venue staff.
“"I solemnly swear I will not shit my pants, and if I do, I won't take it from my pants and put it on the floor"”
This incident reflects a growing trend of 'concert chaos' where extreme fan behavior—ranging from wardrobe malfunctions to hygiene lapses—forces artists to set explicit boundaries from the stage. By turning a sanitary requirement into a communal pledge, Kahan attempted to use social pressure and humor to mitigate a liability and health risk for venue operators and fellow fans.
