How Event Security Guards Control Concert Barriers

Concerts are high-energy environments where crowd control is necessary to ensure safety. With thousands of fans packed into venues, security teams rely on well-placed barriers and strategic management to prevent overcrowding, control movement, and respond to emergencies. Event security guards maintain order around these barriers, providing a safe and enjoyable experience for both performers and attendees.

What Are Concert Barriers and What Are They Used For?

Concert barriers (or crowd control barricades) are reinforced metal fences strategically placed throughout a venue to guide or limit crowd movement. These barriers serve multiple functions, including protecting performers by keeping a safe distance between the stage and the audience, preventing overcrowding by dividing the crowd into sections, creating emergency access points, secluding VIP areas, and preventing bottlenecks during entry and exit.

The type of barrier used depends on the area they’re placed in. For example, barriers placed within the crowd or between the audience and the stage are made of strong, reinforced metal and designed to withstand pressure from crowds pushing against them. Meanwhile, barriers used to guide crowd movement during entry and exit are more mobile and serve as guides for crowds rather than security features. 

How Security Guards Manage Concert Barriers

While reinforced barriers are capable of holding crowds in place, it’s up to event security guards to ensure the actual safety of everyone within the venue. Here’s how they do it:

1. Establishing Perimeter Control

Before a concert begins, security teams work with event organizers to set up barriers at the key locations mentioned in the previous section. These barriers help control the flow of attendees, ensuring a structured and secure environment. Event security guards patrol strategically along these barriers to prevent unauthorized access, manage ticketed entry, and direct foot traffic.

Event security guards inspect the perimeter during their patrol to identify potential weak spots or areas where crowd pressure might become excessive. Additional guards may be deployed in high-risk areas to prevent breaches throughout the event.

2. Monitoring the Crowd

Once the concert begins, security guards remain stationed at barriers within and surrounding the crowd to observe behaviour. They watch for signs of distress, overcrowding, or aggressive behaviour. If a section becomes too packed, they coordinate with other team members to disperse attendees. 

3. Handling Crowd Surges

During high-energy moments, such as when a headlining act takes the stage or a popular song begins, crowd surges can put immense pressure on barriers. Security guards are trained to anticipate these moments and reinforce high-risk areas, communicating and coordinating with other guards to prevent dangerous pile-ups. Packed or surging crowds can pose a safety risk, as attendees may be crushed against barriers or among themselves in a crowd crush. 

4. Assisting in Medical Emergencies

Concert settings can lead to dehydration, exhaustion, and other medical incidents. Event security guards stationed at barriers monitor crowds closely to identify individuals in distress and coordinate medical assistance. When an individual in distress is spotted, guards will coordinate to remove them from the crowd and bring them to the medical tent or call emergency services if necessary. 

5. Enforcing Rules and Regulations

Event security guards ensure that attendees follow venue regulations, which may include rules against crowd surfing and moshing. Security guards will also patrol restricted areas and prevent unauthorized access, including backstage and VIP areas. 

6. Clearing the Venue Post-Event

At the end of the concert, event security teams manage the flow of attendees exiting the venue. They help prevent stampedes by directing the crowd in a controlled manner, ensuring a steady and safe exit. 

Partner With Canada’s Best Event Security Guard Company

Concert barriers are important tools in maintaining a safe and enjoyable environment for fans, performers, and staff. Event security guards are essential in managing these barriers, preventing overcrowding, handling emergencies, and ensuring smooth entry and exit processes. Partnering with a professional event security company gives event organizers peace of mind in knowing their concert will run smoothly, and safety will be prioritized. 

The event security guards at Blackbird Security have protected a variety of concerts in the past, including Bryson Tiller and Kid Laroi in Vancouver. Get in touch with us using the form below to learn how we can safeguard your upcoming concert.