Let’s talk raves & EDM culture

So I’ve been in the rave/festival/EDM scene for about 5 years now! I just wanted to talk about the scene real quick. Now I’ve noticed that on TikTok and instagram, EDM has gotten really popular! Now, while that’s an absolutely wonderful thing, there has been a number of newcomers that have caused some issues at festivals and I’ve witnessed some pretty yucky behavior at club raves as well. Now what I wanted to really talk about is the fact that instead of welcoming newcomers with open arms and love, some ravers have been shunning them and attempting to gatekeep the scene. Now while I can understand the reasoning behind it, I believe that those who genuinely do enjoy the music and the culture should have the opportunity to experience it. Some of my best memories have been from festivals with my friends and boyfriend. I recently took a solo trip and had a wonderful experience!(separate post on that!)

Anyway! I decided that instead of spreading hate and trying to keep newcomers away, I’d share some tips and explain the EDM culture a little bit!

1. PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect): PLUR is like the heartbeat of the rave scene. It's all about treating each other like family. We're talking about spreading peace instead of drama, showing love to everyone around, uniting despite our differences, and respecting each other's space and vibes.

2. Kandi Trading: Ever seen those colorful beaded bracelets people wear at raves? Well, they're more than just accessories; they're like tiny pieces of friendship! :) We make them by hand and swap them with others as a way of saying, "Hey, you're cool, let's connect!" It's a sweet tradition that's all about spreading good vibes and building bonds.

3. Trinkets: Think of trinkets as little souvenirs from the rave world. They could be anything from stickers with your favorite DJ's logo to rubber noodles and ducks. Sharing trinkets is like sharing memories and experiences, adding to the sense of community of the EDM scene.

4. Moving Through a Crowd: Maneuvering through a packed dance floor or festival grounds can be like a dance in itself. It's all about being considerate and aware of others. You might give a friendly tap on the shoulder before squeezing past someone, say “excuse me” or make eye contact to signal your intentions. It's about respecting personal space and keeping the good vibes flowing.

5. Etiquette: Rave etiquette is basically about being a decent human being. Clean up after yourself, be mindful of others' space, and keep the noise level chill, especially in quieter areas. And hey, if you see someone who needs a hand, lend it. It's all about looking out for each other and making sure everyone has a great time.

⚠️ 6. Drug usage

please don’t automatically associate the rave scene to drugs.. that’s the thing that breaks my heart the most. YES substance abuse is frequent however I feel a majority has been because of the pressure of the scene. The EDM scene has unfortunately become associated with drug use, but it's super important to recognize that drugs do not define or represent the essence of our community. While EDM events offer a space for people to come together and enjoy their passion, the prominence of drug use within the scene is an unfortunate affiliation that should be minimized. The culture's focus on unity, positivity, and self-expression should not be overshadowed by the prevalence of substance abuse. Instead, efforts should be made to promote responsible behavior and create safer environments where ravers can enjoy the music without feeling pressured to engage in drug use.

I hope this helps a bit in explaining the culture a bit!

Remember:

•Never let anyone tell you what you can and cannot do!

•you’re NEVER too old to rave!

•drugs do NOT equal edm culture

& most importantly!!

• Spread PLUR!! Be respectful in and out of events. This world needs more love and respect towards one another.

#rave #musicfestival #edm #edmlifestyle #ravegirl #ravetips #tips #edmlifestyle #edmfestival