John Summit, Discolines, and Dom Dolla have recently become household names in younger generations’ music taste. With the rise of house/techno artists in mainstream music and TikTok, raves and their culture have grown exponentially popular. While the rave scene isn’t as prominent on the East Coast compared to the West (owned by LA and Las Vegas), there are some essentials I’ve picked up as a “rave baby” that I encourage everyone interested in joining the community to keep in mind.
PLUR
Before anyone goes to their first rave, concert, or festival, I would encourage them to familiarize themselves with PLUR. PLUR stands for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect, and it’s the foundation of rave culture. This concept is unequivocally the most important aspect of raving that must be upheld, especially as newer ravers enter the scene and often overlook the values that built it. Without PLUR, the culture loses the ideals that make it more than just a party.
This community unites a plethora of individuals from drastically different backgrounds, so “Peace” ensures we respect all identities and self-expressions to create an irreplaceable safe space, letting everyone exist freely without fear or conflict that we see too often in everyday life. “Love” represents unconditional kindness, seen in sharing genuine compliments, Kandi/trinket trades, and hugs. This shared energy creates an inexplicable aura of acceptance and friendship amongst strangers. I believe that “Unity” is represented in the shared appreciation of the community and music, and these two factors dissolve all barriers that divide individuals in everyday life (for example, race, gender, sexuality, etc.). In that space, everyone is equal and there for a fun time: connecting with music and self-expression. “Respect” is what keeps this special culture safe: asking for consent before touching anyone, saying “excuse me” and apologizing when necessary, not only thinking about one’s self, etc. These pillars force people to think outside of themselves, and in doing so, create a safe, beautiful community of collective euphoria and emotional safety for everyone to enjoy.
The second most important recommendation I can give to someone just starting out is to remain cognizant of their physical safety.
OUTFITS
Be prepared for the heat. A lot of people, especially women, get judged on their rave outfits for being so revealing. However, it’s the most comfortable choice for a lot of these individuals because the amount of movement, dancing, and people in the venue causes temperatures to rise exponentially. I can’t even begin to describe how hot some of the pits I’ve been in; hypothermia (overheating) is a very common issue. I genuinely felt like my skin was melting off with my sweat, and I can’t imagine enduring that heat in jeans or cotton. Similarly, I always bring either a mini portable fan or a regular fan to help cool me off in the crowd.
EARBUDS
As a neuroscience student, I’ve learned in class that hearing is very precious and absolutely necessary to protect. The sound frequencies from these sets can cause irreversible damage. The cells that facilitate hearing can be sheared, bent, or be killed from just exposure to high decibel levels, and they don’t grow back. Many festivals can reach sound levels of 100–110+ decibels, which can begin causing significant hearing damage after a mere few minutes of exposure. Therefore, earbuds are essential (and if you’re worried, no, it does not dull the experience of the festival/music).
HYDRATION
Dehydration creeps up so rapidly (and often unnoticed) when you’re dancing for hours and stuck in the heat of the crowd. I would not recommend bringing a full backpack (that one typically would for a concert) due to the lack of space in the crowd. I just invested in a hydration pack that presses flat against your back and holds up to 2L of water.
MEDICAL SUPPLIES
I always make sure to carry Narcan with me because you never know what can happen. Not just for yourself or your group, but you could save someone’s life around you just from being prepared. I also always carry Band-Aids and Japanese foot pain relief patches for walking after the show.
I would also recommend discussing meet-ups with your group in case of separation prior to the event because you immediately lose service in the crowd, and it can be really difficult to find them again. On the same note, portable chargers are absolutely crucial. It’s nearly impossible to find your group, your way home, or really do anything with a dead phone after the festival.
Ultimately, raving isn’t just about music: it’s about care. Care for your body, your mind, and everyone around you. When you protect your hearing, stay hydrated, and look out for others, you’re not just surviving the night– you’re keeping the magic of this scene alive.