Here Are The Ten Commandments of Festival Safety

I believe in PLUR with all my heart. I live it, breathe it and have it tattooed across my ribs. I try to spread PLUR when I can and when folks ask me what I love about the rave scene, PLUR is always my answer.

There is a second R that is occasionally referenced in the beloved rave acronym, the R for responsibility. Responsibility means that the safety and wellbeing of all is the responsibility of all. In the spirit of this second R in PLURR, I’d like to take a moment to talk about safety at festivals.

Now I want to make one thing very clear. We here at iEDM are not promoting illegal drug usage at music festivals (or anywhere for that matter). Many (if not all) festivals state very clearly in their rules that there is a zero-tolerance policy for drugs and drug paraphernalia. We don’t want anyone kicked out of a festival. The purpose of this article, first and foremost, is to promote safety.

I completely acknowledge that drugs are involved in the rave scene, and have been associated with the rave scene since its inception in the late 70s. However, drugs are not a staple of the EDM community. Ravers don’t need drugs to have fun at a festival. We are there for the music, the PLUR and the sheer joy that comes from being surrounded by like-minded people.

There is a negative stigma swirling around the edges of society about raves, those who attend them and the supposed plethora of drugs that are involved in the scene. Many of the tragedies that have occurred at music festivals are blamed on drugs. 

This is why an open dialogue about safety and safety education is so important. To boil this down, we have crafted the 10 Safety Commandments. 

10 Safety Commandments

1. Share water if someone needs it. 

2. The safety of all is the responsibility of all. 

3. Ensure whatever you put in your body is safe. 

4. If you have the ability to help, you have the responsibility to do so. 

5. Listen to your body. 

6. Take breaks even if you don't think you need them. 

7.  Understand the effects of what you put in your body.  

8. Recognize when someone needs help. 

9.  Don't be afraid to ask for help when you need it. 

10. Safety is the most important thing. 

People look at raves and ravers with a judgmental eye and the core of this negativity is built on the perception of drugs and EDM. But ravers are there for the music and sheer love that they have for the scene. That is the reason why we travel to different states (different countries sometimes) just to see DJs we love.

The EDM community is extraordinarily close-knit, it is a family built on PLUR. We all want to have a good time at events, and that is precisely why safety is so important. Look after yourself, your rave family and those around you. 

Festival Season is the time of year that we renew our love of PLUR and music. Share your love of EDM by trading some kandi at your next festival.