Demystifying the Rave Scene: Why Go To a Rave?

Upon a good amount of reflection (and a lot of conversations), I realized that rave culture is something of a mystery to those who are not directly involved in it.

I sat myself down and tried to think back to how I perceived rave culture before becoming involved in it. And honestly, rave culture was a little strange to me.

So, we here at iEDM will do our utmost to demystify rave culture (assuming non-ravers read our blog, so click the share button folks!) with a multiple part series, written by yours truly.

Part one of my series will address the question of why we even go to raves. I’ve been asked why I drop a day’s worth of salary (or several, depending on the event) on tickets to a rave.

The question is completely valid. Tickets are expensive, venues are usually out of the way and most puzzling of all, many raves and festivals offer digital streaming services.

Translation: you can lie in bed in your pajamas, eating a pint of Ben and Jerrys, and still hear the set. So why go?

The completely honest answer is relatively simple: The Environment.

Raves are a place where people united with a common passion for electronic music can gather and share their love for EDM and the EDM community. There is a deep abiding love at these events because people are there celebrating how much they love EDM.

The environment is one of good vibes, positive energy, and general happiness, there are very few places in the world that can claim the same.

A rave is somewhere you can walk around in a sleepy cat onesie, flag booty shorts, and purple fluffies, or even jeans and a shirt, and no one will care. You can dance like your drunk uncle at Thanksgiving and people will smile and join you.

There is something magical about being in an environment where judgment, bigotry, and negativity are suspended, even if it’s only momentary. The positivity is infectious and we all share in it. EDM can and will change your life. I promise. 

While the energy is incredible, the people are also a huge part of the allure. At a festival, you will meet people you wouldn't normally meet, and you will click because you already have something in common.

I’ve met some of my closest friends at raves, people I’ve never known before, and now I can’t imagine my life without them. My rave family always has my back and I know that if I’m in trouble or need anything, they wouldn’t hesitate to leave main stage to make sure I’m okay.

These are the kinds of people you will meet at events. These are the kinds of people you cannot meet while lying in bed with a pint of ice cream.

I will admit that I’ve re-watched Porter Robinson and Madeon’s Shelter Tour on YouTube more times than a healthy person probably should. But when I compare the experience of watching the tour and actually being at Madison Square Garden and almost crying when they played Language…It’s no comparison. None at all.

I was surrounded by people who loved Porter and Madeon, and nothing mattered because we were all there to enjoy the music. Hearing thousands of people singing along to every word of “Shelter” is simply something that cannot be experienced from the comfort of your bed. I urge you to get out of the house and go experience this love yourself.

In the mood for some jams? You can check out iEDM Radio and listen to mixes by artists like Dada Life, Mako and others.