Rave. What is a rave?
Is it lasers and synths that make you dance uncontrollably? Or just loud noise disguised as music?
Whichever way you define it, rave culture is fun. And after years of curiosity, I finally had my first experience.
The build up
Back when I worked at Dutch Bros, I was constantly surrounded by Subtronics, David Guetta, and endless EDM playlists to help get us through the rush. But listening through a drive-thru speaker is nothing compared to the real thing.
I’ve always been a concert girlie. I live for the adrenaline rush of a crowd and the chest-thumping bass. Still, I wondered: would a rave feel the same? Or would I end up stuck in a sweaty crowd, too smushed to enjoy it?
My earliest idea of a rave actually came from Bratz: Fashion Pixies (Yes, really. Let me explain.) There’s a scene with flashing lights, underground vibes, and nonstop music. As a kid, I thought it was wild that they showed that in a kids’ movie. But I ate it up, and secretly made it a goal.
The experience
Fast forward to Phoenix, at a club called After12. The name says it all: doors open at midnight and the party lasts until 6 a.m.
I thought there’d be one stage with DJs rotating all night. Wrong. There were two stages and rotating DJs every 2 hours.
Outside stage: framed by massive metal structures shooting up from the ground.
Inside stage: a dark, shipping container-style room with the real magic. An animatronic dragon that came alive during sets, breathing smoke into the crowd.
The whole night felt like I had been dropped into a Charlie XCX music video, and I was absolutely living for it. I truly felt like I could dance all night long. At one point, I remember looking at my phone and seeing the bright screen flash 3:46 back in my face.
the culture
Here’s the part that surprised me the most: the people.
Everyone was so kind!
Compliments flew left and right. Strangers asked for photos with my friend (he dressed as a punk rock Ronald McDonald). People handed us water without hesitation. At one point, I was overheating and trying to fan myself with my hand, then suddenly felt a strong breeze. I turned around, and someone was using their big rave fan to cool me off.
It wasn’t just a party. It was a community.
Tips for first timers
Thinking of going to your first rave? Here’s what I learned:
- Start local. Don’t jump straight to EDC if you’re unsure (it can be overwhelming)
- Bring hair ties!! Trust me, you’ll need them.
- Stretch your neck. Headbanging is fun until you wake up sore the next day.
- Hydrate. Always. (Like we said at Dutch. “Hydrate, or Diedrate”)
Final thoughts
Overall, my first rave taught me that sometimes the things you’re nervous about end up being the most fun. I wasn’t planning on going to the rave, but something was telling me to go for it, and I am so glad I listened. The music was incredible, but it was really the people who stuck with me that made the experience truly memorable. Everyone was looking out for each other, making it feel like a community. I didn’t need to know every DJ or dress a certain way to feel like I belonged. Now I’m already planning the next one (with better shoes this time).
moral of the story
If you’ve ever been curious about raving, do it. The music, the energy, the culture. It’s an unforgettable experience.
From your certified bass head, I hope this inspires a few new baby ravers to give the scene a try.