Cada rave es único y tiene su propio estilo y vibra. Puedes leer nuestro artículo, “Cómo Sé Qué Ponerme Para Cada Festival” para tener una mejor idea sobre como se visten otros ravers cuando atienden cada evento.

quantum synergy women's outfit

Ya sea que sea tu primer rave o ya eres un veterano, aquí hay 10 cosas esenciales que querrás traer para sentirte listo(a) para cualquier festival.

QUÉ PONERTE PARA UN RAVE 

• Kandi
• Zapatos Cómodos
• Ropa Única
• Tapones Para Los Oídos
• Mochila/Riñonera
• Hydration Pack
• Mascarilla/Pañuelo
• Gafas de Rave
• Brillo Para La Cara/Joyería
• Ropa Reflectiva y Accesorios

1.KANDI

 Esta es una de las modas más famosas en la cultura de raving. Puedes usar kandi para accesorizarte, expresarte, conectar con otros ravers, y compartir en el espíritu de P.L.U.R (Paz, Amor, Unidad, Respeto - 4 principales en las cuales se basa la cultura de raving)

Reúnete con tus mejores amigos anteriormente y haz suficiente kandi para ti y con los demás. Intercambiar y colectar kandi es super divertido y te puede dar la oportunidad de conocer a amigos que durarán por toda la vida. Mis amigas y yo algunas veces ponemos el kandi que colectamos en los festivales en nuestros carros o como decoración en nuestros cuartos para que siempre podamos recordar esos momentos tan inolvidables!

tripp out rainbow reflective o-ring outfit

2. ZAPATOS CÓMODOS

Lo que decides usar como zapatos es tan importante como la ropa que escoges. Asegúrate de ponerte zapatos que cubren tus dedos, ya que hay una alta posibilidad de que toparas con las personas a tu alrededor cuando estés comandando la pista de baile. De botas de combate, tenis y botas de plataforma - puedes ponerte cualquier estilo tan solo que sepas que puedes caminar y bailar en ellos cómodamente por 8 horas o quizás más. Mira nuestra colección estilosa de Zapatos de Rave que te mantendrán sintiendo como la reina del rave toda la noche.

3. ROPA ÚNICA

La ropa que te pones para ir a un rave es estilosa y funcional. Cuando andas bailando por muchas horas, la comodidad es tan importante como tu “look''. La comodidad significa diferentes cosas para diferentes personas - así que no importa si te pones las plataformas más altas y un corsé brillante o prefieres una camiseta y medias de red, deja que tu estilo personal sea la cosa que brille más fuerte!

En verdad, nunca te equivocarás si vas con colores pastel, diseños psicodélicos o colores vibrantes. Tenemos un montón de estilos nuevos que son super únicos para poder expresarte por medio de tus trajes de rave!  

candyfloss women's outfit

4. TAPONES PARA LOS OÍDOS

Si quieres disfrutar la música para la mayor parte de tu vida o simplemente para no perder la audición, los tapones para los oídos de alta fidelidad son una necesidad. Estos tapones reducen el sonido de una manera que protegerá tus oídos sin comprometer la calidad del sonido de la música. Cuando estés considerando que ponerte para un rave, no te olvides incluir los tapones para tus oídos!

Si estás atendiendo un festival de camping, también sería una buena idea traer un par de tapones hechos de espuma para que puedas usar al dormir. No hay nada pero que perder una noche de sueño reparador porque tus vecinos estaban festejando hasta el amanecer. Asegúrate de dormir bien para que puedas divertirte más el próximo día.

5. MOCHILA/RIÑONERA

Mantén tus cosas valiosas seguras para que puedas disfrutar de tu noche sin tener que preocuparte. Accesoriza tu rave outfit con unas de nuestras riñoneras estilosas para que puedas bailar en la pista con las manos libres. Hay un montón de estilos de moda que pueden ser exactamente lo que necesitas para completar tu look.

rolita couture x ihr lucid dream pixie baby doll dress

6. HYDRATION PACK

Ir a un festival es tener sed - ya que usualmente estarás caminando o bailando por mucho tiempo y usualmente en el sol. Aunque es super importante mantenerte hidratado, es demasiado fácil olvidar tomar agua cuando te estás perdiendo en la música y la noción del tiempo parece ya no existir también.

Las botellas de agua suelen ser muy caras en los festivales, pero usualmente hay estaciones de agua donde puedes llenar tus recipientes gratis. Las mochilas de hidratación, o Hydration packs, son perfectas para llevar a los festivales de música porque contienen suficiente agua como para poder pasar un buen rato en el escenario principal con tu DJ favorito. Asegúrate de escoger una mochila que coordine con por lo menos unos de tus trajes de rave!

trippy tide cami shorts outfit

7. MASCARILLA/PAÑUELO

Protege tus pulmones de todo el polvo y escombros que pueden andar volando debido a las miles de personas atendiendo el festival. En verdad, nadie quiere pasar el próximo día teniendo un ataque de tos, así que es mejor tomar la precaución de cubrir tu garganta y boca.

Tenemos una gran cantidad de pañuelos psicodélicos y estilosos para los terrenos polvosos de los Festivales de Electrónicos. Encuentra el diseño perfecto para tu conjunto o coordina con tus ‘festie besties’!

8. GAFAS DE RAVE

De día a noche, las gafas de rave y los goggles son super divertidos de ponerte. La producción de cada escenario en los raves son únicos, así que quizás consideres andar con un para de gafas que podrán proteger tu vista de los láseres intensos, luces estroboscópicas y visuales si tienes ojos sensitivos. Si quieres estrenar un look más cibernético o psicodélico, este accesorio llevará tu traje de rave a otro nivel.

Si quieres aumentar tu experiencia visual del rave, hay ciertas gafas especiales que verdaderamente te hacen sentir que estás en otro mundo! Dale un vistazo a los lentes de difracción y las gafas de caleidoscopio para los visuales más psicodélicos que podrías imaginar.

9. BRILLO PARA LA CARA, JOYERÍA Y PEGATINAS PARA EL CUERPO

El día de rave no es solo cualquier día - es una de las pocas veces al año donde puedes vestirte como quieras sin tener que preocuparte de lo que piensen los demás. La mayor cantidad de personas en el festival se vestirán tan excéntricos como tú (o quizás más). 

Ya cuando tengas tu look todo planeado, llévalo al próximo nivel con brillo de cara grueso (chunky glitter), joyas para tu cara o pegatinas para el cuerpo. Te verás fabulosa de pie a cabeza con estos detalles deslumbrantes.

10. ROPA REFLECTIVA/ACCESORIOS

Alumbra la noche en un traje reflectivo. La ropa Reflectiva y los accesorios harán que todo tu grupo resalte. La ropa es activada por el flash de la cámara de tu teléfono y transforma tu look en segundos!

COSAS EXTRAS QUE PUEDES TRAER

• Cargador Portable
• Toallitas Húmedas
• Pañuelos (Kleenex)
• Desinfectante de Manos (Sellado)
• Humectante Labial (Sellado)
• Chicle (Sellado)
• Abanico 

Recuerda que lo más importante es ponerte ropa en la que te sientas cómoda y revisa el clima antes de salir! Mantén una mente abierta y prepárate para tener una experiencia inolvidable!

Here are some tips + tricks to getting the perfect rave and festival photos!

Know The Festival Policies

Make sure to first and foremost read up on what the festival does and does not allow. Most festivals don’t allow professional cameras but will allow smaller cameras such as EDC Orlando which allows “Non-professional flash/still cameras, handheld video devices under 6″ (Sony Action Cam, GoPro, Polaroids, etc.)”

Charge Up

Next, make sure you have all the batteries, cables and chargers you need to get you through the festival. A portable charger will absolutely save you if you enjoy taking lots of photos and videos throughout the night–bonus points if it’s a solar powered charger with multiple ports. 

Storage

Save yourself the stress and backup your photos and videos before you head out! Make sure you have enough storage on your phone to withhold all of your photos and videos or set a system in place to offload the content from your phone to either a cloud storage like Google Drive or Dropbox or a hard drive!

Bring a Lens Cloth

I cannot stress this enough! LENS WIPES SAVE LIVES (ok fine they just ensure your photos will be clean and clear) and take about two seconds to take out and use. You’ll be happy to get the smudges and grease off your lens so you can look back on some decently high quality images. Sure, you could use your rave outfit to wipe your lens but if you’re wearing anything from our closet you might want to reconsider! Sequins and lenses do not mix.

Phone Cameras

Don’t want the hassle of carrying around extra electronics? Your phone is probably just as good as any other digital device you could bring. Whether you’re shooting on iPhone or Android, it all comes down to your personal preference. Make sure to back up your phone, bring a portable charger, and an external hard drive or cloud system set up to make sure you don’t run out of space in the middle of the festival.

Bring a lens wipe to make sure you get the cleanest shots and if you’re feeling experimental, check out some lens attachments, shooting in 0.5, playing with the flash and exploring any other features your phone might have before the fest! You also may want to look into a stabilizer like a tripod if you really want to get some clean video footage!

Digicams

Is it 2024 or 2004? With the return of digicams and low megapixel pics, digicams are definitely the move for shooting cool photos with a vintage aesthetic. Not only are they super cute and on trend, they are also small and compact and easy to store in your fanny pack, backpack or even your pockets.

I personally think it’s nice to put your phone away, not use up so much storage, and it’s less costly to lose in case anything happens. I would much rather not lose any of my things (which is why a backpack is a must!), but I’d rather lose something a little cheaper than my phone! 

Point and Shoot (film)

Film photography is NOT DEAD. There’s something to be said about holding a camera in your hand with no LED screen – no thoughts, just vibes. A point and shoot camera is perfect for that and is exactly what it sounds like: all you need to do is load your film, point the camera and press the button to shoot. Point and shoots are the best (imo) way to get into film without having to stress about ISO, Aperture and Shutter Speed or any of the other intimidating aspects about shooting film.

You can find some pretty amazing and simple point and shoots made by some of your favorite brands like Vivitar, Minolta and Canon (to name a few) that you can find at your local camera shop, online on amazon or ebay, or you can try your luck at your local thrift store to see if you can hit a lick! 

Polaroids

Polaroid cameras have NEVER gone out of style! They are a little bulkier than digicams, point and shoots and your phone, but getting those instant pics in your hand to keep or give away to your new rave friends is PRICELESS. The Polaroid Instax is probably your best bet as it is the least bulky – make sure to bring plenty of extra film and batteries just in case!

GoPro

Last but not least, you have GoPro. If you can afford to purchase a GoPro for music festivals I would highly recommend it! Not only are they super small, they are literally built to withstand some of the most extreme conditions and music festivals are no exception. You definitely want to put your phone and other digital devices away in case it rains at the fest, but not your GoPro! Most GoPro’s come with a case to protect it from that type of weather, they’re easy to carry and even have some really fun attachments you can use to capture multiple POV’s!

We hope you enjoyed these photography tips! Make sure to tag us in your festival pics using @iheartraves and #iheartraves!

So let’s think about this: HARD Summer will be taking place at the LA Coliseum this year, making it one of the most anticipated festivals of the year. You can get tickets here and check out the lineup below! 

Functional Wear

• Hydration Pack
• Fan 
• Sunglasses 
• Comfortable shoes
• Extra pasties

And now, to the fun(ner) part: FASHION. We LOVE a good fit! But what’s in a “good fit”? Honestly, it’s all subjective! I’ve been both the one in the big t-shirt & vans AND the one in the cute two piece stomping around in Demonias like I own the place - it’s all about balance baby! At the end of the day, what really matters is that you’re wearing something that you’re comfortable and feel beautiful in. 

Edgy

There are two main themes at HARD Summer: edgy, and neon. If you manage to create a fit with both of these styles, you're going to slay! Edgy looks are usually pretty comfortable and can be worn for hours at a hot festival without feeling like too much. Here are some of our faves for the 2023 HARD Summer Music Festival! 

Hot Girls Listen To Techno Outfit

Sunflowerraver x iHR I'm Sensitive Bodysuit Cutout Outfit

Slander x iHR Feeling Good Slander Cropped Outfit

Ignite My Fire Halter Loop Outfit

Neons

I really love this neons because not only are they always in style, but they fit any vibe. You get anything from cute floral/trippy prints reminiscent of the 60’s to reflective cutout corsets that take you back to the future where Britney Spears rules our hearts once more.

Liquid Tripp Spliced Outfit

Get Down Girl Recycled Fabric Outfit

Trippy Time Acid Smiley Outfit

Regardless of what you end up wearing to HARD Summer, make sure once again that you stay hydrated, bring sunscreen & have the time of your life! Also, don’t forget to tag us @iheartraves for a chance to be featured!

Happy HARD Summer y’all!

But it’s 2024 now & that is definitely not the case but don’t worry David, the Love is DEFINITELY not gone. A lot has changed in the EDM community, but one thing remains the same: our love for the ever-evolving music scene and everything that comes with it—including some of the most incredible camping music festivals as far as the eye can see. Each year it seems the production levels, artists, outfits, camping amenities and overall experience gets better and better;  it’s an experience that will change your life like no 2-day parking lot rave you have to drive home from ever will.

First, we're covering the basics. Here are some commonly asked questions we get about camping festivals:

Rolita Couture x iHR Floral Punk Princess Outfit

Where is the best place to camp at a music festival?

There are some spots that will make things easier, but no spots are bad at a camping festival! Look for camping spots that are close enough to resources like food or water, or the entrance to the festival itself so you can minimize how much extra walking you need to do. It's also a good idea to look for shade, which brings us to our next question:

How do you stay cool at a camping music festival?

Look for camping spots that are under trees or shade, because that will keep you cool as much as possible. You can also look for shade structures that will obstruct the morning or afternoon sun, making it easier to sleep in or stay cool in the afternoon. Get some extra ice for your water bottles, and bring cold towels to stick in ice water throughout the day that you can put on the back of your neck to stay cool. 

Acid Storm Outfit

Should you lock your tent at a festival?

If you feel more comfortable doing so, you can! Or, you can lock your personal belongings in your car and keep only your sleeping bag and pillows in your tent. Just be careful not to lose your keys! 

From the East Coast to the West Coast & everything in between, here are the Top 10 Camping Music Festivals to attend this year and next!

Electric Daisy Carnival - Camp EDC

Photo: Insomniac

Location: Las Vegas

Dates: May 17-19, 2024

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

As we all know, EDC *usually* takes place the last weekend in May. This year, due to the pandemic, Insomniac & many other event giants made the tough call to postpone some of the biggest music festivals to October - which isn’t the worst thing that could’ve happened! EDC, and especially Camp EDC, is definitely an investment. Having a little extra time to save up, truly plan your outfits, food, & accommodations is probably a good thing considering my friends and I decided we’d full send EDC for the first time in 2019 about 2 months before going (*NOT* recommended!). What I am 100% recommending, however, is to DO CAMP EDC. Although I never did the whole “stay on the strip” thing, I can say with full confidence that camping was THE BEST WAY TO DO EDC. Not only do you have various sleeping options & the tents are already pre-built with AC units so you don’t die in the Vegas heat, but you also have easy & unlimited access to and from the festival!

Other perks of camping include but are not limited to: some of the most amazing coffee & lemonade stands you can walk up to every morning before heading over to goat yoga, fun vendors, rollerskating in the rink, pools & waterslides and of course, enjoying the DJ’s that come perform intimate sets on the campgrounds - it truly is all around magic!

Rainbow Reflective Daisy Outfit

Electric Forest

Photo: Insomniac

Location: Rothbury, MI

Dates: June 20 - 23, 2024

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/2022/

In my humble opinion, Electric Forest is another right of passage in the music festival scene, right next to EDC. Before EDC ever had camping, Forest was the place to hitch up your tent, take off your shoes & get lost in a mystical forest away from the hustle and bustle of Vegas or any of the other Insomniac events. From Said The Sky’s Ocular Organ Set playing the piano with his fans, to the enchanting sounds of Rüfüs Du Sol coursing through the trees, this 4 day music festival is a mystical oasis for hippies, forest fairies & dreamers alike.

Make sure to check out the festival map to plan a meeting spot with your group, get acquainted with the campgrounds & check out where you’ll be camping. Unless you and your group of 20 or more decide to do group camping, you’ll want to get there early, since according to the website: “Campgrounds are assigned based on the flow of traffic and the parking crew’s work flow. HQ cannot guarantee campground placement for anyone arriving at any time, including those who are arriving on Wednesday.”

Typically a 4 day festival held every summer, this year the festival was postponed until 2022, leaving you plenty of time to plan & prepare! Make sure to check out the official Electric Forest website as well as other sources (YouTube is always my go-to when it comes to festival prep because you get some really honest first hand accounts!) to make sure you cover all of your bases!

Dance to the Riddim Skull Outfit

Lost Lands 

Photo: Lost Lands

Location: Legend Valley, OH

Dates: Sept. 20-22, 2024

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Get your neck braces ready cause Lost Lands WILL have you breaking your neck for 3 whole days in the middle of nowhere Ohio and you WILL like it. And what’s not to like about being surrounded by your best friends, bass music & big ass dinosaurs?

Situated in the lush greenery that makes up Legend Valley, you’ll find yourself transported to the Jurassic era as the sun sets over a bass infused campground, a figment of Excision’s imagination brought to life for happy & hardcore headbangers alike. You’ll find no shortage of X’s being thrown up & necks being snapped drop after filthy drop with acts like Kompany, Dion Timmer & Subtronics shaking the main stage.

Check out the official lineup, the perfect Lost Lands Packing List, info on charging lockers & anything else you might need to know to have an amazing weekend in Legend Valley here! 

Bass Canyon

Photo: Bass Canyon

Location: The Gorge, WA

Dates: TBA

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Grab your headbang gang & head over to one of the most beautiful natural outdoor venues next to Red Rocks Amphitheater. Overlooking the Columbia River and now boasting 2 stages, Bass Canyon is filled with back drops & bass drops that will have you wondering what life was before you stepped foot in this dreamy canyon.

Although the festival itself begins on the 20th, campers are able to get to the site a day early to set up camp & enjoy Thursday’s pre-party (non-camping ticket holders are able to attend with the purchase of a Thursday pre-party ticket)!

Bass Canyon is typically rain or shine so make sure to pack accordingly! Their official website provides a pretty thorough packing list but if you’re needing a little extra outfit inspiration paired with useful tips, check out our blog on What To take to a Music Festival!

Shambhala

Photo: Shambhala

Location: Salmo, BC Canada

Dates: July 26-29, 2024

Tickets

I had no choice but to throw in this Canadian heavy hitter to the mix. Shambhala is a name that is thrown around so often and for good reason! From an incredible production to a lineup that’ll have you updating your passport REAL quick, the only qualm for US festival goers in my opinion really is the distance.

From Anti Up, Seven Lions & Rezz to What So Not, Malaa & Channel Tres - the Shambhala stages will have you teleporting to all kinds of different dimensions. When you do come back to earth between sets, make sure to hang a kind note on the Wish Tree, check out the artists at the Basscamp Art Gallery or simply grab your flotation devices and head to the Salmo River! Just make sure you adhere to the 8 Pillars & respect the river!

Since you will most likely have to travel to the festival, make sure to check out the official Shambhala Website for info regarding transportation, shuttles, packing recommendations & everything else you need to know to enjoy your weekend!

Rave Revolution Recycled Fabric Outfit

Bonnaroo

Photo: Wikipedia

Location: Manchester, TN

Dates: June 13-16, 2024

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Bonnaroo is a great first time music festival to attend or to bring your friends who don’t just listen to EDM. A creole slang word for “good time,” you’ll find no shortage of endorphin releasing activities like colorful parades, “yoga-roo” & running a little 5k for the Roo Run! That is when you’re not too busy making waves at Splash-A-Roo or catching them during a Tame Impala set! 

Past lineups have also boasted the likes of Childish Gambino, Incubus, Tyler the Creator & SVDDEN DEATH, as well as smaller acts that have risen to headline festivals all over the world and are ALWAYS worth checking out! 

Peruse their site to find The Bonaroovian Code, survival tips from experienced Bonaroovians & more!

Okeechobee

Photo: Okeechobee Music Festival

Location: Sunshine Grove, FL

Dates: Feb 29-March 3, 2024 

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

A springtime fest is everything anyone needs after a long, cold winter - so grab your SPF & bucket hats and head over to good ol’ Sunshine Grove, Florida! You’ll find yourself immersed in a tropical treasure trove of palm trees and people swaying to the sounds of artists like Big Gigantic, Earthgang, Bob Moses, & possibly catch Griz tearing up the saxophone mid set!

Okeechobee is an otherworldly experience that transports you out of Florida and into a multi-verse of immersive art, yoga, comedy shows, and music with homies new and old! Make sure to check out the set times & map so you can effectively stage hop to all 7 stages or take it slow & head over to the healing sanctuary for some shamanic workshops & thai massages!

Thinking about becoming an Okeechobeeing? Check out our Okeechobee recap from 2020!

Sugar Venom Lace Up Outfit

Imagine Music Festival

Photo: Imagine Music Festival

Location: Chattahoochee Hills, GA

Dates: TBA

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Newly located in the lush green landscapes just outside of Atlanta, Georgia, Imagine Music Fest is a deep dive into the most beautiful parts of your subconscious mind. Bringing together some of your favorite DJs with an immersive experience that encourages festival goers to truly discover and express themselves like never before.

From “transformational workshops” where you can take on aerial yoga & other flow arts to learning how to mix & master your own music in the Producer’s Corner—Imagine Fest will have you becoming your literal best self.

Campers are able to arrive early (for an additional cost) to enjoy early access to the campgrounds, a late night silent disco, yoga & wellness classes & so much more. It’s nothing but magical vibes in Chattahoochee so make sure to dress accordingly & have the time of your life!

Genie Dust Outfit

Weekender at The Gorge 

Location: The Gorge, WA

Dates: TBA

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/gtw/

Making its debut in 2019, The Weekender at The Gorge quickly skyrocketed to become one of, if not THE best trance festival in the US. Brought to you by the legendary Trance trio, Above & Beyond, this 3 day camping festival is now a magical place that Anjuna family can call home.

Early birds catch morning Yoga sets with Pavo as the sounds of Flow State (A&B’s album “for yoga, meditation & mindfulness”) lulls you into a true state of bliss, preparing you for a night of MUCH NEEDED Group Therapy. So grab your flow toys, your best friends & head over to the Gorge for all the vibes you’ll ever need!

Getting to Coachella is tough. If you've managed to snag tickets already you were probably an overachiever in high school, but if not there is still hope for you. Aside from the tickets, there is a lot more to figure out and plan, but we've got you. Here is your Complete Coachella Planning Guide for 2022.

• Which Weekend Should I Attend?
• Getting Tickets
• Securing a Place to Stay
• What to Pack
• Outfit Inspiration
• At the Festival

Weekend 1 or 2?

Coachella was famously one of the first festivals to do two weekends in a row with the same lineup. The two weekend-event lets more people attend the festival, and creates a different vibe for each weekend. The lineup is the same on both weekends, so you can go to either one and have more or less the same experience, but many people agree that Weekend 1 is best for celebrity sightings, special guest appearances and generally newsworthy surprises.

Lace Flowerfields Outfit

Tickets

Tickets to Coachella tend to sell out almost instantly. Weekend 1 usually sells out faster than Weekend 2, so even now there might be some tickets left for the second weekend if you're thinking about taking the plunge. Once individual tickets are sold out there are usually other options for getting tickets directly from the Coachella website (which is obviously the most trustworthy way to get tickets). I recommend checking out the hotel + ticket package options if you have a group of 2 or more interested in going.

The pass buying guide on the Coachella website will give you all of the information you need on how to get tickets.

Once you get tickets you'll need to secure a shuttle or camping pass separately. I recommend making your decision on where you're going to stay quickly, since hotels fill up fast and camping tends to sell out almost as quickly as the tickets themselves.

Lace Flowerfields Marabou Outfit

Pre-Festival

Let’s talk logistics. Although Coachella is a different beast than most festivals, you can take your existing festival expertise and apply it to how you prepare for Coachella as you find hotels or AirBNBs, plan your camping experience, or figure out the shuttle system. Perhaps there’s someone in your group that already has this all covered (lucky you!) but in case you don’t, here is what I would focus on first:

Where to Stay:

Hotels vs. Camping vs. Airbnb vs. RV

Camping: There are  MANY camping options at Coachella, including but not limited to  car camping (not to be confused with preferred car camping, which puts your car closer to the venue entrance), tent camping and for an astronomical price, including a ticket to Mars (kidding but maybe in the future that’ll be a thing!) – GLAMPING.

The camping options tend to sell out faster than the blink of an eye, so these options may not be available if you're planning a last minute YOLO trip. Bringing us to your next options or, maybe your first, (depending on the type of person you are) we have:  off-site camping (which includes campgrounds vetted by Coachella) and  hotels that double as shuttle stops.

Staying in a hotel is a great way to do Coachella, but keep in mind that the Palm Springs/Indio area is quite large, so you'll want to plan ahead on how you'll be getting to and from the festival. This also applies to AirBNB stays, which might even be a little more complicated since most of the shuttles go to and from hotels. An AirBNB is certainly a great option, and I would recommend finding the closest hotel shuttle stop to your AirBNB if walking to a shuttle stop is an option.

There are three main areas you'll have to choose from when picking a Coachella hotel or AirBNB since the Coachella valley is pretty big. You can stay in Palm Springs, the iconic town with lots of luxury hotel and resort options, and a lot of things to do outside of the festival. There are several hotels with shuttle stops in Palm Springs.

Your next option is to stay in the Palm Desert/Indian Wells/Indio area, which is closer to the festival but doesn't offer much in the way of local attractions. This is a great option if you're only planning on going to and from Coachella, and the hotels may be a bit more affordable (though keep in mind all hotels will have inflated prices during this time).

Finally your third option is to stay a little bit off the beaten path in Desert Hot Springs, a town just on the other side of Interstate 10 from Palm Springs and probably the furthest from the festival. There are several luxury resorts and affordable hotels in this area, so it might be a good option for last minute trips.

What to Pack:

This is by no means an exhaustive list on what to pack for Coachella, but here is a link to what is and isn't allowed at the festival on the  Coachella website, as well as some details on what to expect from the weather and outfit inspiration. I always recommend packing extra clothes to any festival, including some more comfortable options.

Weather in the Palm Desert.

Indio, California is the literal desert SO, although you are in sunny, beautiful, amazing California, you WILL definitely experience some pretty significant temperature drops at night. The Palm Desert is pretty hot in the day, so make sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses and a  cute festival hat. At night the temperatures can drop down to the mid to low 50’s, so you’ll definitely want to bring some layering options and blankets if you're camping. Check out our  selection of outerwear to help put together an epic yet functional outfit!

Outfit Inspiration:

This is the thing that so many people (I would definitely not exclude myself) tend to obsess/dream/freak out/have nightmares about - and with good reason. I’m not going to lie and say that fashion isn’t a big deal at Coachella because it’s basically like the MET Gala of the music scene.

I truly believe that fashion is just an extension of who you are and should be used as a form of self-expression rather than this self-imposed pressure to be iconic at Coachella. Although a lot of people do show out for other festivals like EDC, Burning Man & Electric Forest, there is just something so different about the fashion at Coachella that is so unique and inspiring. Check out our guide on  What to Wear To Coachella for more fashion inspo!

Midnight Sparkle Sequin Outfit

At Coachella

Coachella is pretty damn big on keeping everything very sustainable and eco-friendly, so much so that they partnered with a company called  Global Inheritance to ensure that festivalgoers leave no trace and create a conscious experience for all. Read more about  what it means to leave no trace here.

Getting around the Palm Desert:

Once you’re in the Palm Desert, there is definitely no shortage of ways of getting around. It’s worth it to peruse their “Getting Here” section of their website where they outline pretty much everything you need to know regarding travel. Here are some of the common travel options:

• Shuttles
• Uber/Lyft
• Car

• Any Line Shuttle Pass allows you to be picked up at a number of hotels! 
• LAX Airport Shuttle Pass

What airport to fly into?

The Coachella site provides a small list of airports, the first of which is the Palm Springs Airport. This airport is by far the closest (25 miles from the festival), with LAX being a close second, but you can also fly into Orange County, Burbank or San Diego but that’s quite the hike!

Although extremely convenient, flying into the Palm Springs airport may not be the most budget friendly, so make sure to do your research and hop on those deals quickly! If you do fly into any of the Los Angeles airports, expect to drive about 2 hours east on Interstate 10 to get to the Palm Desert. There are shuttle options through the festival, but you can also rent a car.

Or, you could try out a little thing called  Carpoolchella: a reward system set up to incentivize Coachella attendees to minimize their carbon footprint by driving to Coachella together! Those who have done so in the past have had their entire  passes upgraded to VIP FOR LIFE. No joke! It’s definitely worth looking into!

Golden Hour Fringe Outfit

Coachillin'

A few extra  things to keep in mind to make the most out of your weekend:

• Reserve a Locker: because temperatures drop, being hands free is a vibe and it really is so convenient. Keep your layers in a locker during the day for quick access when the sun goes down.
  
• Budget: I’ve perused a few websites regarding how not to blow it all at Coachella, and the general consensus seems to be that if you aren’t camping, you could be spending a good $50-$75 per day on food and drinks. If you’re camping (or even if you’re not), you can save money on food by taking the free  supermarket shuttle to pick up some groceries. If you’re not camping, taking a shuttle will definitely be less expensive than taking an Uber or a Lyft, renting a car, etc.

Everyone expresses themselves in different yet similar ways, which is why there are so many forms of flow out there and perhaps more than we know, and they’re all valid and absolutely needed in this world. Flow arts are not just a way to express from our hearts and souls but they are how energy is able to take a physical form which is a very powerful thing to understand.

For example, to many–including myself–the flow arts that I gravitate to and excel at are the ones that heal me the most and where I feel the most connected to the music. When I am shuffling, dancing, whipping or using the staff, I am having a very spiritual experience where I am able to transcend and connect with the energy of, dare I say, the universe. It’s the same feeling as when you lock eyes with a stranger during a drop and just feel that collective energy course through your entire body as you lock hands and start headbanging – and there is nothing more special than that connection at a show or festival.

From shuffling or cutting shapes to gloving/tutting to hooping and wands – the magic that is released through the music combined with the movement is something that makes music festivals and raves so unique. Here are a few of our favorite forms of flow!

Gloving/Tutting

Your hands are quite literally one of the main energy meridian points of your body – this is a very powerful flow art and one that takes a lot of skill and practice to master. Finger tutting is when you make various shapes in intricate and oftentimes choreographed movements with your fingers to go along with the song and the way the song feels to and is expressed by you – it truly is such a beautiful form of flow.

There are also entire teams dedicated to melting your face at raves full of people who dedicate so much time to just mesmerizing people and making them smile. Glovers are some of the kindest people and are so talented! From whips, to tutting, to tunnels – it takes a lot of time, dedication and FINGER STRENGTH to master this flow! Check out our gloves + accessories here!

Shuffling

This form of flow is a lot more leg dominant than gloving, however, you can incorporate your gloving and tutting skills to elevate your shuffle flow once you get the hang of your basic running man and figure out which form of shuffling you like the most. There are so many different styles of shuffling, and no style is better than the other – it’s all about expressing to the music the way your body and soul feel called to express.

Eternal Sleep Outfit

Some shuffle styles include: cutting shapes–which has a lot of little moves like: Miami Step, Scissor Kicks, W-Step and more that don’t really have official names yet but we’re getting there! Others include Melbourne Shuffling, Malaysian Shuffle and so many others however if you truly pay attention, a lot of the moves are different variations of the most basic moves like the T-Step, Charleston and the Running Man. 

However, it’s not that simple either, and there could be an entire article on the history of each different shuffle style such as the Melbourne Shuffle, Malaysian Shuffle, DNB step, etc. as they are tied many times to different cultures and periods of time. Footwear is also very important, and knowing the right shoe to wear for where you’ll be dancing.

Shuffling at a festival like Electric Forest might require different footwear than what you’d need to wear at the raceway for EDC. Here are a few suggestions, although if you’re a newer shuffler – we’d recommend staying away from platforms unless you constantly practice in them! Shuffling in platforms is fun and some platforms actually give you the right amount of bounce depending on where you’re dancing and what your preferred style is!

Levitation Wand

The Levitation Wand is super fun and very lightweight, although it’s by no means easy to master. Mastering the wand requires a strong and engaged core, arms, legs and tons of practice! Just like any other flow art, making sure to take the time to perfect your craft and practice to music you truly connect to is important to connect to your specific flow.

Swirly Sis Outfit

You can learn different techniques and tricks online, and as you master this flow art you can see that the reason it’s called a “Levitation Wand” is because when done correctly, it looks like the wand is just levitating around you as you use your hands to control the rope that looks almost invisible at night – it is truly majestic to watch.

Pixel Whip

The Pixel Whip is made of a handle with various strands of LED fibers that come in various different colors and settings which you can adjust to fit your mood, your outfit or whatever the occasion might be. The only downside to an LED Light Whip is that you almost always end up whipping your body! However, once you practice and take the time to master this flow you’lll become better at not whipping yourself as much but especially other people which is always a win.

When starting to learn how to whip, if you do take your whip to a show or festival make sure to check to see if you can bring your whip in the first place, but also try to stay away from the crowd as no one really likes to get whipped unless you’re a masochist in which case they can find you! Kidding. No whipping people!

There are various techniques and tricks you can pick up using the light whip, including tunnels, figure eights and other body tracing/lacing techniques, isolation techniques, etc.

Burn Bright Outfit

Definitely check out tutorials on TikTok, Instagram and YouTube to find and level up your flow! You can wear pretty much anything you want while whipping but outfits with long sleeves or pants are always a good idea in order to minimize the fiber lube oiling up your skin too much or whipping yourself!

Hooping

Hooping is a really beautiful way to flow with a beautiful history tracing back to ancient Egypt in 1000 BC. It became a lot more popular in the 1950’s and has evolved into so many different forms of art from the islands of Hawaii to Native American dances to festival stages across the world. Just like with staff and Poi, there is also Fire Hooping and it’s just as if not more hypnotic than the LED Hoops.

Voltage Vixen Outfit

Hooping comes very easily for some people, but takes a lot of practice and dedication. You can practice tricks with regular hula hoops of all sizes to find the perfect center of gravity for the tricks you’re learning, and then invest in the LED hula hoops to add that level up to your flow!

Poi

Poi might be the most difficult to master, as it requires tons of arm strength and core, as well as major bi-lateral coordination in order to create shapes and be able to move your body in relation to the weight of both of the poi balls at the end of the ropes. Just like hooping, whipping, using your wand or gloving – you can create mesmerizing light trails with LED Poi.

Witching Hour Fairy Outfit

You can also do the same with Fire Poi, although that is definitely a lot more dangerous. However you choose to spin Poi, it’s important to learn about its origins and history in order to truly appreciate the art form in its entirety. Poi can officially be traced back to 1815 and was created by the Māori people of New Zealand as a way to not only entertain themselves but to commune with the divine and would combine it with certain chants to manifest peace for their people during tumultuous times.

It then became a popular form of entertainment once tourism began to pick up in those regions and that is how it spread to performing arts and music festivals around the world!

Other Flow Forms

Aside from the flow forms mentioned above, there is also the Orbital, the LED Staff,  Hand/Silk Fans, and as of recent: Flowstars. There really is something for everyone! What is your favorite Flow Art? Make sure to tag us in your flow videos @iheartraves! 

The Cruise

Cruise the caribbean alongside some of your best mates and favorite DJ’s while enjoying a slew of seaside activities like Dita Von Teese’s Shiptease, and Live Comedy with Nick Thune & Martin Urbano. You can also hang with the official Friendship Pro Skate team (yes there’s a half-pipe on board!), go down the double loop waterslide that hangs off the side of ship.

Make sure to fill up at one of the 20 restaurants on board – from cafes to cocktails to complimentary cuisine as well as a la carte options and a couple of special spots that you do have to pay a cover charge for, like Japanese restaurant Tappanyaki. 

FriendSHIP has certainly come a long way since the festivals maiden voyage in 2018, but for festival founder Destructo—aka Gary Richards, who launched the original Holy Ship circa 2012, the festival represents a community that values diversity and acceptance. Take Dial-A-DJ for example: you can quite literally call a DJ to come play in your room. It’s exactly as amazing as it sounds, and it’s just another way to get a more intimate and personalized experience with artists that you love and look forward to seeing!

You can book your trip on the FriendSHIP website here. The 2024 cruise sets sail from Miami on January 6-11, 2024. 

The Lineup

Speaking of artists, this year boasts one of the best lineups the festival has ever seen, and it’s not just because Skrillex awaits at Harvest Caye. But it is because of the thought that Destructo put into curating the lineup. The lineup is full of heavy hitters like the effervescent Patrick Mason, Chris Lorenzo, Chris Lake, Rusko, Boys Noize, Bob Moses and Justin Martin.

The team also made sure to diversify the lineup with some delectable Drum and Bass sounds from artists like Nitepunk, soulful Afro-House and Afrobeats from artists like Vigro Deep, Enoo Napa, and Sun-El Musician, Dembow, and Latin beats from artists like Venezuelan born Safety Trance – the list goes on.

As a DJ/producer himself responsible for the creation of HARD events in 2007, Destructo knows EXACTLY what he’s doing. It's clear to see he is striving to ensure the festival is not only relevant but also introduces people to a variety of sounds they might not get elsewhere. 

The Venues

Although the venues/official stages haven’t been revealed yet, we do know a few things: the main pool will definitely have its own stage so you can lounge while you listen – which is ALWAYS a vibe. Once you get to Harvest Caye, there will only be one main stage while the boat remains docked – there will be no music on the ship while on the private island, but ShipFam is more than welcome to walk to and from the ship at any time, though there is a bit of walking required. The mainstage backdrop will be a very hard-to-miss lighthouse, which they plan to project some eye-catching visuals on as it is all white. 

Not sure what to pack? Make sure to check out our What To Wear To FriendSHIP blog for some outfit inspo and don’t forget about FriendSHIP’s theme nights that Destructo even created Pinterest mood boards for in case you need a little extra inspiration! This year, it’s Pretty In Pink, Slumber Party, and Destructo Had a Farm – a super fun way to connect to your creativity and fellow ravers! Also, make sure to plan for the Official Pre-Party at Oasis Wynwood on Friday, January 5th to catch an exclusive Destructo B2B Boyz Noize set, Flava D B2B Mary Droppinz and more!

What sets/activities are you most excited for? Make sure to follow @iheartraves for more outfit inspo and don’t forget to tag us in your stories and pics!

If you’re jetting over to this gorgeous tropical destination, check out our Tulum Rave Guide + some outfits we’ve curated to help turn heads and make you a real killa in the jungle! 

Trippy Patterns

Tulum is known for magical, psychedelic moments infused with music and the wonders of fantastic festival production. Why not become the vibe itself? 

Melty Fantasy Buckle Top and Bell Bottoms

Flashbang Matrix Reflective Halter Outfit

Hypnotic Haze Outfit

Skirt Sets

Warm weather in a tropical oasis calls for cute skirts and skirt sets! Try mixing and matching the skirt sets with some basic tops if you want a more relaxed look or combine these with some fluffy earrings, cute sandals and fun glasses for the perfect Tulum festival fit!

Florals & Disco Prints

You can’t miss with cute florals, especially surrounded by so much lush, tropical greenery! Depending on the time of day of your event or festival, you can go for some cute pants or a skirt, add some body and face jewels and you’ll be a sight for sore eyes!

Groovin' Bloomin' Outfit

Boogie Blast Disco Outfit

A lot of people opt to wear a lot of white with shells, paint, and acclimate to the environment of Tulum, which is mystical, indigenous and sacred. However, you can also dress exactly how you want, as long as you’re aware of what the weather is typically like as well as the vibe of the festival or event you’re attending. Why blend in when you were born to stick out, sis? Don’t forget to check out our blog about destination festivals + don’t forget to tag us @iheartraves + #iheartraves!

Holy Ship! Wrecked

• When: TBA
• Where: Mexico
• Lineup Overview: Dom Dolla, Chris Lake, John Summit, Zeds Dead
• Get Tickets here

Although the last few years of Holy Ship! (post-pandemic) have been on land – Holy Ship! Started circa 2012 as a cruise ship leaving from Port Canaveral, FL all the way down Great Stirrup Cay. The “Wrecked” brand happened when they decided to dock the ship in order to keep the party landlocked–pretty brilliant if you ask me! Escape the cold and find yourself sliding down one of the many water slides, shuffle on the shoreline, sumo wrestle your friends or a stranger, participate in DJ-led activities and just get lost in the music day in and day out in this 4-day all-inclusive music festival off the coast of beautiful Mexico. Keep an eye on their socials to see if they’ll take to the seas again in 2023! 

Friendship

• When: Jan 17-22
• Where: USA, Miami
• Lineup: Griz, Mija, Wax Motif, Eprom, Destructo
• Get tickets here

Curated by Destructo, who founded HARD events and the original Holy Ship! Excursions, the Friendship cruise sets sail from Miami typically the last week of February into March. Of course Destructo knows what he’s doing by now and Friendship’s lineup speaks for itself, boasting names like Wax Motif, TroyBoi, Chris Lorenzo, Griz, Eprom and many others spanning multiple EDM genres so you’ll always find something to dance to on this ship. 2023 was the return of Friendship Cruise since 2020 and they went ALL out with their activities both on and off the cruise, with a group of pro skaters who came to tear up the skate course they’d set up on the basketball court on the top deck of the ship as well as plenty of more interactive activities on the beaches of the Great Stirrup Cay. Although past years have been in the Bahamas, they’ll be switching up with a stop in Belize for 2024! Tickets are sold out for next year but you can join the waitlist here!

Groove Cruise 

• When: Jan 24 - 28, 2024
• Where: USA, multiple locations: Miami, LA
• Lineup: Kaskade, Above & Beyond, KSHMR, Deadmau5
• Tickets

Groove cruise is one of the more well known EDM cruise franchises boasting 20 years of groovin’ the open seas this upcoming 2024 season! Groove Cruise has been known to set sail from various ports in the US including San Diego to Cabo San Lucas and Los Angeles to Mexico as well, with headliners like 3LAU, Fedde LeGrand, Cosmic Gate, Kaskade, Shiba San, Green Velvet as well as Hosted Stages! There’s no shortage of activities on this cruise either, some led by some of the artists as well as Go-Karting, Laser Tag, themed costume parties (I mean dozens upon dozens of these so make sure to check their website and socials to know what costumes to pack!) and water slides to cool off from all the running around! Aside from more than 75 artists taking over the turntables on one of their 9 stages, you can head over to one of the 40 bars and restaurants on board to make sure you’re properly nourished and if you need a little bit of a pick-me-up, there’s a Starbucks on board with all the Nitro Cold Brew you could dream of! This year’s cruise will leave from Miami, FLA and head down to the Great Stirrup Bay in The Bahamas! Tickets have not yet sold out so make sure to plan your stay ahead of time since it does require some proper planning!

EDSea (USA)

• When: November 4-8, 2023
• Where: USA, Miami
• Lineup:
• Tickets

Heading out on its maiden voyage this November, Insomniac finally decided to throw its hat into the ring of EDM Cruises – to the delight of many. This 21+ event will be nothing short of magical, which is to be expected upon arriving at any Insomniac event! With 4 nights of non-stop dancing, music, and getting lost in the moment as you race your friends down a water slide or compete against your favorite DJ in some tournament or activity! Remember that it’s a sprint and not a marathon, so make sure to take advantage of their health and fitness center, hot tubs, spa amenities or just take in the sun while listening to the sounds of the electric sea! Tickets are currently sold out but you can join the waitlist here!

It’s The Ship!  

• When: March 8 - 10
• Where: Asia, Singapore
• Lineup: Ben Nicky, Adventure Club, Yellow Claw, OOKAY
• Website

If you’re wanting a change of scenery from Great Stirrup Cay, might we suggest perhaps one of Asia’s largest music festivals at sea? This 3-Day EDM Cruise Festival typically tends to sell out pretty fast, and with good reason! One look at their website or IG and you can just feel the energy and personality of this oceanic paradise, with not only some impressive lineups but an endless array of activities to partake in while on board. Whether you’re someone who enjoys a Spa day topped with shopping and a trip to the wine vault, or you’re someone who would rather rock climb, try the ropes course and sing your heart out at Karaoke before catching a DJ set – It’s The Ship! has it all, pretty much! 

Miami has long been a dance music epicenter, and for good reason. From the ornate walls of Wynwood to the Caribbean influenced cuisine and nightlife, to world-class clubs like Space Miami and Oasis Wynwood – you’ll find yourself immersed in a colorful coastal playland swirling with electronic sounds and ravers from ALL over the world!

We did a little research and tapped into what we feel will be some epic sets if you’re planning a trip to the 305 this spring! Let us know if we missed and and of course, don’t forget to tag us in your outfits with @iheartraves this week!

DJ MAG EPIC Pool Parties

When: March 22nd-26th

Where: Sagamore Hotel 

Ages: 21+

Cost: $114+

Tickets: DJ MAG at MMW

DJ Mag is no stranger to throwing epic MMW soiree’s hosting the likes of John Summit, Vintage Culture, Camelphat & Claptone in past years. This year promises 5-days filled with nothing but heat from legends like FEMME HOUSE label head: LP Giobbi, Dombresky, Idris Elba, ACRAZE, Mau P & more. Purchase a 5-day pass for $250 where you can come and go as you please or purchase individual dates! 

Confession Label Takeover 

When: Friday, March 24th @ 9:00P

Where: OASIS WYNWOOD

Ages: 18+

Cost: $40+

Tickets: CONFESSION LABEL at MMW

French transplant Tchami knew what he was doing when he moved to Miami. With a perfect pulse on Miami nightlife, Confession Label King will be setting up camp at the beautiful Oasis Wynwood – right at the heart of the arts district of Miami. The perfect location for a takeover of this kind, there will not only be an outdoor stage surrounded by a slew of locally sourced drink and dining options, but an indoor discotheque with sets from Nostalgix and BIJOU AND an entire Confession Pop-Up Shop as well! This one is A MUST.

Anjunabeats Pool Party

When: Sun. March 26th, 2023 @ 12:00P

Where: Nautilus Hotel Miami Beach

Ages: 21+

Cost: $80+

Tickets: ANJUNABEATS MMW POOL PARTY

Trance heads this one's for you! Trance legends Above & Beyond’s record label will be hosting a pool party with some of the label favs including: Sunny Lax, Andrew Beyer, GENIX, Alpha 9, Andrew Beyer and Mat Zo - to name a few! 

Rose Avenue Records Showcase: Rufus Du Sol DJ Set at Space

When: March 21st, 2023 (Tuesday) @ 11:00P

Where: Space Miami

Ages: 21+

Cost: €82.11+

Tickets: ROSE AVE RECORDS MMW PARTY

Making their MMW debut with their brand new record label – Rose Avenue Records – Rufus Du Sol will transform space into an emotional electronic oasis as they kick off Miami Music Week with a DJ Set, followed by sets from label mates like Cassian, Lastlings and ANYMA, to name a few. They officially announced their set in a twitter post. Tickets go on sale on Feb. 28th! 

Matroda & Friends: Miami Music Week

When: Sun. March 26th, 2023 @ 

Where: Floyd Miami

Ages: 21+ 

Cost: $70+

Tickets: MATRODA + FRIENDS MMW CLOSING PARTY

Announced on his Instagram, Matroda will be closing out Miami Music Week with a few of his friends. Can you guess who? We’re gonna take a wild guess and *hope* it's some of the amazing talent we’ve seen come out of his label in the past year including: Bleu Clair, San Pacho and Cave Studio. Who do you think he’ll bring with him?

Hellbent Official Label Party by Cloonee

When: March 24th, 2023 @ 11:00P

Where: Floyd Miami

Ages: 21+

Cost: €117.92+ 

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/LUWKaecXxh

Confirmed by label boss and latina lover on twitter, Miami will be hit with a wave of the hottest latin-house from UK born DJ/Producer: Cloonee. Making their MMW label debut at Floyd Miami, get ready to feel the fuego in that MOFO! It’s about to be a huge year for UKG and UK producers so make sure to put this on at the top of your list if you’re into house like that!

WORSHIP & FRIENDS TAKEOVER: DNBL (Brownies & Lemonade)

When: March 23rd, 2023 @ 9:00P

Where: Mana Wynwood

Ages: 18+

Cost: $55+

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/groups/blnkcnvs/events/brownies-lemonade-miami-2023-61823

It wouldn’t be a dance music event without a Brownies & Lemonade takeover of some sort! Join the B&L team for a special DNB MMW takeover at Mana Wynwood, a Warehouse fit for that filthy sh*t. Plus, the lineup is absolutely stacked with sets from GRIZ, Deathpact, Troyboi, Moore Kismet and even a special DJ set from San Holo. Make sure to grab tickets before they sell out!

AFTERLIFE: MMW

When: March 22nd, 2023 @ 

Where: Factory Town Miami

Ages: n/a

Cost: €82.20+

Tickets: ​​https://www.savormeditation.com/event/9x63d-afterlife-miami-music-week-2023-22nd-mar-factory-town-miami-tickets?lng=en-US

Afterlife has been taking over and reinventing the visual sphere in the dance music scene for the last few years with its stunning and fully immersive visuals that transport you into a completely different dimension. You can find Afterlife events all over the world, including nightlife hotspots like Tulum, Ibiza, Tomorrowland and so many more! This will be a feast for the eyes and the soul!

Loud Luxury One Day Only Pool Party

Not only is Loud Luxury an amazing time always, but this had to be added to the list because of a special set you definitely shouldn’t miss: DISCO WREK – a rare but very special occasion in which Ship Wrek and Disco Lines go B2B and it’s just house music MAGIC. Catch them alongside another legendary pairing: BIJOU B2B Marten Horger who recently completed an epic tour and are back to storm the decks at the Surfcomber Hotel in Miami! Check out the Surfcomber Hotel’s website or instagram for more fun sets they’re hosting during MMW! 

When: March 23rd, 2023

Where: Surfcomber Hotel

Ages: 21+

Cost: $70+ (GA)

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/groups/blnkcnvs747/events/loud-luxury-one-day-only-pool-party-60555

What pool parties will you be hitting this Miami Music Week? Make sure to check out ALL of our accessories before you head out to compliment your looks all weekend – or week! Happy MMW!

Make sure to check out our other festival and travel blogs for even more in depth festival prep and don’t forget to be aware of the dates and travel implications for your chosen festival(s) to ensure you know where you’re going and how to get there! Be aware of each country’s native language, download duolingo, and make sure to have some basic phrases handy just in case! Of course, make sure your travel documents are up to date, and don’t forget to check out our outfits for some inspo for what to pack!

Happy travels, ravers!

LATIN AMERICA

Spicy, colorful, explosions of culture await just south of the border for those in the US - or anywhere around the world. A stark contrast from festivals like Lost Lands and Electric Forest or even Creamfields in the UK, the landscape of some of these Latin American festivals boast some of the most beautiful palm tree ridden backdrops with canopies of stars amidst sand & sea – what’s not to love about that? Check out some of our favs or these OTHER tropical escape music festivals!

HolyShip! Wrecked 

Location: Mayan Riviera, MX

Dates: DECEMBER

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/ 

DAY ZERO 

Location: Tulum, MX

Dates: typically the first week of JANUARY

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/locations/tulum/

EDC Mexico 

Location: Mexico City, MX

Dates: FEB 24 + 25 + 26, 2023

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/en/

LOLLAPALOOZA CHILE

Location: Chile

DATES: MARCH 17 - 19, 2023

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

EUROPE

The vibe of European festivals vs. festivals in the US are so very different, and it shows in the fashion, the genres that dominate (techno, dnb, ukg, deep house) and the different regions/environments in which these festivals take place. The following are some of THE BIGGEST festivals around the world though, Tomorrowland and Mysteryland are classic European staple festivals and almost like a right of passage for a lot of ravers!

Creamfields 

Location: UK

Dates: Aug. 24 - 27

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Primavera Sound 

Location: Iberian Peninsula (multiple locations: Barcelona, Madrid, Porto)

Dates: Multiple Dates 

Barcelona: June 1-3

Madrid: June 8 - 10

Porto: June 7 - 10

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/en/

Tomorrowland 

Location: Belgium

Dates: July 21 - 30

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Mysteryland 

Location: Netherlands

Dates:

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/experience

ASIA

Asian festivals can be wild, and who doesn't want to pack in an exciting trip on their way to a fest? Here are some can't miss festivals around Asia that are definitely worth checking out! 

Sunburn Festival 

Location: Multiple locations, India

Dates: Dec. 28 - 30 

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Ultra Korea

Dates: Typically the last week of September

Location: Seoul, Korea

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

AUSTRALIA

From Dom Dolla to Patrick Topping, to Anna Lunoe, Alison Wonderland and Flume – Australia is definitely a festival destination to check off the bucket list. Keep in mind that Australia's summer is the United States' winter, so you can head down there during our colder months to warm up and enjoy festival season all year long. 

Wildlands Music Festival

Dates: Multiple Dates (Dec. 30 | Jan 2nd. | Jan 7th)

Location: Multiple locations (Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane)

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Split Milk

Dates: Multiple Dates (Nov. 26| Dec 3rd. | Dec. 4th)

Location: Multiple locations (Canberra, Ballarat, Gold Coast)

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Field Day Music Festival

Dates: Multiple Dates (Nov. 26| Dec 3rd. | Dec. 4th)

Location: Multiple locations (Canberra, Ballarat, Gold Coast)

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

CANADA

Canada is truly slept on in the North American continent for boasting some of the best festivals with the most stacked llineups.

Shambhala

When: July 21-24, 2023

Where: Salmo River Ranch, British Columbia

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

VELD Music Festival

When: August 4-6, 2023

Where:   Downsview Park, Toronto, Ontario

https://www.savormeditation.com/

BADLANDS Music Festival

When: July 6-16, 2023

Where: Calgary, Alberta

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

FVDED IN THE PARK

Where:

When:

Tickets: https://www.savormeditation.com/

Which of these international festivals do you want to hit this year? Any we should add to the list? Let us know & don’t forget to check out our

If you’re not familiar with shuffling, shuffling is a type of dance that involves fast T-step movements and branches off of that. It usually goes well at house music BPMs, which is why you’ll see most shufflers there. But you can also find them at faster tempos, like techno and psytrance. Here are five reasons why you should try shuffling!

Complex and Fun Dance

Like any other dance, shuffling is both challenging and requires a lot of practice and technical detail. If you like to dance, shuffling is a great one to pick up. Many people start off learning the basics, which is getting the T-step down. Once you have that mastered, you can move on to the more complex moves, such as “cutting shapes”, which requires more of the rest of your body and ankles.

There are many different components of shuffling that you can learn, like Miami step, Melbourne Shuffle, Malaysian Shuffle and more. If you’re up for a challenge, shuffling is a great hobby to pick up and try. Soon, you can show off your moves at your next rave.

Amazing Community

The shuffle community within the rave scene is huge and you can find many shufflers no matter where you are in the world. These communities are super welcoming to ravers and no matter your level from noob to pro, you’ll find great people that will support your shuffle journey.

Chicago, New York City and Los Angeles all have huge and well known shuffle communities that host events like shuffle sessions or classes. But smaller cities have their communities as well! Even if there isn’t a group, it’s never too late to start your own group and start hosting a community for other ravers that shuffle. 

Shuffle Circle

On top of the amazing community wherever you are, you’ll find big groups at festivals and raves that will have a shuffle circle at many sets. If you’ve never seen or been part of a shuffle circle, you should definitely find one! They are super fun and energizing and it makes whatever set you’re at much more fun.

You can watch ravers join in one by one to show off their moves and if you’re feeling brave, you can even hop in. The people and community around will cheer you on and it is a completely judgment free zone, so you dance to your heart’s desire! 

Sweaty Exercise

If you’ve ever tried shuffling, you’ll know that it is an entire workout. Shuffling is a great way to get some cardio in and have fun while doing it! And it’s convenient since you can shuffle just about anywhere you are, from at home to the gym and raves. So grab your speaker and head outside and challenge yourself to 30 minutes of shuffling. 

Get Creative

There are already a lot of moves that are defined for shuffling that you can challenge yourself to pick up and learn, but that doesn’t stop you from creating your own moves! What’s great about shuffling is that even though there might be some common moves, you can create your own unique choreography and combine different moves together to make it your dance.

Shuffling is a great way to express your creativity and add your own touch to the dance. You can see that each shuffler has their own style and it’s great to be able to see everyone being connected by a community and dance.

The next time you’re at a rave, head on over to the shuffle circle and just get in there and dance! Even if you’ve never shuffled before, you’re welcome to try and test your moves out. It’s never too late to start your shuffle journey so start today and get your shuffle on!

iHR: Tell us a little bit about yourself - how did you come up with your stage name, Matroda? Who IS Matroda? Walk us through a day in the life - morning routines or daily rituals, the music you listen to outside of EDM or house, what song do you have on repeat right now?!

Matroda: Well, first of all, if I start with WHO is Matroda; He is just a simple guy coming from Croatia whose passion for house music developed in early teenage years and who has been following his dreams 'till now and still going on. Of course it’s been developing 'till now and it won’t stop, I can promise. Stage name Matroda is a combination of my real name MATija RODic

My daily routine is very simple: I wake up, I eat, and I go to the studio where I spend most of the day (if I’m not on tour). Regarding music; I listen to everything, from rock, punk to hip hop. I believe there are so many good tracks coming in lately so it’s hard to pick my fav one.

iHR: 2022 has been a huge year for you! From playing another massive set at EDC Las Vegas & dropping your collaboration with Wax Motif ‘La Candela’ to going B2B with Bleu Clair and playing multiple music festivals throughout the U.S. What would you say have been some of your personal highlights from this year so far?

M: Every show I do is a highlight for me and has a special spot in my career, for sure. I just want to enjoy myself and have a good time. I always do my best [whether I am] playing EDC or some small underground venue. My personal highlight is definitely meeting so many new people all around the world.

iHR: Speaking of B2B’s – who would you say are your favorite artists to go B2B with? And what is your dream B2B set/where?

M: I always enjoy playing B2B with my friends. My favorite artist to go b2b with would definitely be Carl Cox.

iHR: Have you ever had any fanboy moments? Who are some artists you really look up to or admire?

M: Hans Zimmer, Rick Rubin, Pharell Williams to name a few..

iHR: Who or what inspired you to start producing? Are there any early influences or moments that really defined your decision to pursue music? I noticed you are quite the pianist – did you decide at a very early age that music is what you wanted to do and were you always supported in that decision? 

M: It was actually my dad with his rock vinyl collection. That’s how I started to listen to and discover music, but it was my elder brother who introduced me to electronic music. Fun times back in the days :) I don’t see myself as a pianist. i’m far from that but I do like it and have fun playing piano.

iHR: Your sound has definitely evolved from when you first dropped ‘Some Strange Voices’ back in 2013 and songs like Adriatic Step back in 2014. Tell me about how your sound has evolved over the years and how you eventually molded your signature Matrodasound?

M: It’s a process. I always try to create something new and unique. My sound changed, or I should say evolved, and will most probably continue to do that going forward.

iHR: Your passion and hard work speak volumes, and it’s been amazing to see how you pour your passion into your music and also the creation and curation of your very own label: Terminal Underground! Tell us a little more about how it all began, some of your favorite milestones, and your plans for the label in the future. 

M: I just wanted to have a platform where I can present dope music from myself and other up & coming producers with a fresh sound. I don’t have any huge plans, I just want to offer a good platform and expose new music from new talents/producers. It’s hard to pick one festival as there are too many to name. Maybe we will build our own Terminal Underground festival in the future. :)

iHR: Speaking of music festivals and stages, how does it feel to be playing your FIRST Electric Zoo at Tchami’s Confession Stage? This will also be my first EZOO and this is the stage I'm excited about the most! What can we expect from your set? Will you be curating it based on Confession’s sound? What are you looking forward to the most about EZOO or just being in NY in general?

M: It feels great to be part of EZOO for the very first time. Shoutout to Tchami for having me on his stage. You can expect lots of new music. I always try to present matrodasound so you will have a lot of Matroda’s music. I love NYC and the energy. I'm looking forward to discovering some new dope food places.

iHR: Do you ever hang out and enjoy the music festivals you play? Or do you typically go in and out of festivals? If you do, what has been your favorite festival you’ve ever attended and why? 

M: I do try to hang out and enjoy with people, and I really love checking other acts/artists performing but there are times when my schedule is so tight I cannot afford to go to bed late. 

It’s hard to pin out my fav festival as there are so many great ones. I’m really looking forward to the EZOO experience. I don’t get nervous, being completely honest.

iHR: On a smaller scale, what are some of your favorite venues you’ve ever played? Any on your bucket list still? I know a lot of people are DYING to see you play the Brooklyn Mirage! 

M: I'm a big fan of small/dark underground venues. Doing Brooklyn Mirage is def on my to do list. I would love to do a show at Red Rocks in Denver too. 

iHR: I would be remiss if I didn’t ask you about YOUR DRIP. How would you describe your style? Do you design your own merch? And do you think you’ll ever dabble more in the fashion world? 

I do like fashion and enjoy bringing that to my fans. My merchandise is represented by me and my creative designing team who are evolving my style and ideas all the time. With each tour I’m trying to show something new, fresh, something unique people might actually like to wear every day. We are always combining street fashion with elegance and a spark of Matroda.  New merch is coming out this September 👀

You heard it here first! We’re looking forward to seeing (and wearing) the new collection and all the amazing things you have in store for the future of Matroda! 

Catch him at Electric Zoo’s brand new stage—The Landing— alongside Tchami, Capozzi, BIJOU & the rest of the Confession crew on Day 1 or for his North American Jack The House tour this Fall/Winter! 

Ravers certainly took to the theme and the fashion spoke to not just the theme but to the city, the summer and the trends we’re seeing at festivals all over the country with an overall re colorful flair with all types of patterns and textures dominating and decorating each outfit. 

The weekend brought with it a lot of sun and heat, and most were dressed in shorts, skirts, and super light clothing in order to not melt away with the last of an otherwise majestic New York Summer. Many brought along fans, sunglasses & bucket hats to beat the heat and as statement pieces for their already masterfully put together ensembles, which is not surprising for one of the fashion capitals of the world – raves are certainly no different. 

Although it truly is all about the music, it’s always so fascinating to see how the fashion speaks to the times throughout history, from Woodstock in ‘69 to the way we transition through trends nowadays, all fashion ties into the overarching culture in the EDM world today, which is heavily influenced by the music, by the movements in different cities, by dances and dialects. 

Here are some of the looks we saw at Electric Zoo 3.0 this weekend! Can you spot IHR? Wore IHR? Make sure to tag us @iheartaves to get featured! 

savormeditation: Thank you for your time, CAPOZZI! First of all - you are an absolute legend. I’d love to start from the beginning! Tell us about your upbringing in the bay area and how that shaped your career as a musician! Who were your early influences, and when did you decide that music would be it for you?

CAPOZZI: The Bay Area has a huge independent music scene that was big in my upbringing. Both my mother and father have different taste in music and I feel like that also helped shape me. My father was a drummer and my mother had signed me up for piano lessons as a child. So music has always been very important in my houseHold. A lot of my friends growing up also worked in music and either had their own make shift studios at home or were being experimental with music.

iHR: What made you want to shift gears in your career to EDM & house music? Is there a defining moment in your life that gave birth to the concept of CAPOZZI? Who were some of your biggest influences there as far as sound? And was it easy for you to learn to mix/produce?

C: I decided to start Capozzi in 2018. I had always loved House music and since I had been previously exposed to “make-shift” studios it was pretty easy for me to mix/produce. I’ve been exposed to this since 2015, I’ve been around Dj Snake, Tchami, Malaa, and Mercer throughout the years so I’ve just been exposed to all different genres of electronic music and I just have always had a liking for House music.

iHR: Knowing how much you love fashion, I would love to hear about how you curated/landed on your aesthetic for CAPOZZI. How would you describe CAPOZZI fashion and what are some of your favorite festival fashion trends currently?

C: A lot of my fashion is inspired by my love for the whole word of the Matrix. When you come to my shows I want everyone to feel like they are experiencing that.

iHR: Ok back to the music! You first made a splash in the scene with your release SOS on Tchami’s Confession label, and now you’re going to be playing on the Confession Stage at EZOO! That’s a huge win! Tell us more about your connection with Confession - how did you first get connected with the label and how are you preparing for your FIRST EZOO? What are you looking forward to the most?

C: Tchami is family, I’ve been watching him become a legend before my eyes and seeing that inspired me to want to curate my music to a sound that was not similar but in the same world as confessions. I’m totally prepared. I have always to represent the family on every stage i play. So it’s always exciting when we are all playing in the same place!

iHR: What would you say was the most defining moment in your career as CAPOZZI? What can we expect from CAPOZZI In the future?

C: I think my most career-defining moment was playing the Pink Tent at Hard Fest in 2021. It was 4 pm, and it was ram-packed, and everyone going crazy my set was next level for me. So yeah, I’d definitely say that was it. As for the future… I can’t predict that, but I can assure you I will be coming harder each year, and I plan on getting better with time.

iHR: Listening to your music and knowing there aren’t very many female producers in the scene, I can honestly say I feel so inspired by your sound and just your entire essence! What would you say to the gals out there who want to maybe get into music or work in the music industry in general?

C: I would say if you want to do it just do it but do not feel the need to be everywhere and in everyone’s face. Being picky and choosy with what you do and how you decide to spread your energy is VERY IMPORTANT. Not everything or every opportunity is worth your energy and or what your brand is about.

Very well said! It was amazing to get to know someone with the impressive background and trajectory that CAPOZZI brings on AND off the decks! CAPOZZI is true pioneer in her own realm as a female DJ/producer with a unique look and sound, I'm excited to not only experience a proper Confession set from her at Electric Zoo but to see her evolve and become the fullest expression of who she is! 

You can check out CAPOZZI's music on all streaming networks here. 

Das Energi Festival

Location: Magna, UT
Dates: August 12 + 13, 2022

Das Energi is, without a doubt, Utah’s biggest and best EDM festival. Taking place every August, this is THE perfect fest to close out your summer with! The festival takes over the entirety of the Great Saltair, a palatial structure on the beach of the Great Salt Lake which is now surrounded by ravers from all over the US. Boasting both an indoor and an outdoor stage with overlooks of the Great Salt Lake and surrounding salt flats, it’s truly as stunning as it is well put together.

V2 Presents, the event promoter, hosts a number of other festivals throughout the year in the same location (Get Lucky, Get Funky & Get Freaky), but Das Energi truly sets itself apart with its lineup and level of production, especially with their outdoor stage: the Temple of Boom.

Get lost in the Galactic Flats where you can find amazing art put together by various local artists, vendors, great food & more. Das Energi does tend to sell out, so make sure to grab your tickets ASAP!

III Points

Location: Miami, FLA
Dates: October 21 + 22, 2022

Head over to the wonderful world of Wynwood, Miami to immerse yourself in eclectic music while losing yourself in interactive installations full of color & culture. Although the III Points lineup boasts names like Rosalía, LCD Soundsystem, Porter Robinson, Black Coffee and Flume, the festival curators made sure to gather an incredibly unique, and diverse lineup with other names like Danny Daze, Overmono, La Goony Chonga & more that are definitely worth looking into as well! In fact, the festival curated a special Spotify playlist so you can easily dive into the vibes!

Make sure to pack your roller blades (they have the coolest roller rink - definitely gives Camp EDC a run for their money!) and comfortable shoes, since there are 6 stages you’ll likely be walking back and forth from. Follow them on Instagram for more updates as they often announce shows in partnership with local clubs like Space Miami leading up to the fest!

Desert Hearts

Location: Mojave Desert
Dates: April 28 - May 2, 2022

The EDM world often tends to focus on the larger music festivals like EDC and Electric Forest because it’s true, there are really well known artists on those lineups every year. Festivals like Desert Hearts, however, manage to stand out as a movement with the annual festival that kicks off their summer-long North American tour with founder Mikey Lion & friends. Who are his friends? You can find artists like: Lubelski, Marbs, Porky, Kevin Knapp, Rybo & more.

The festival is perfect for those who want to move away from more mainstream festivals and into ones that are perhaps more intimate, more underground & just different than what we’re used to. Not to mention, it takes place in the Mojave Desert, which is absolutely stunning and a perfect place to disconnect from the norm and reconnect with yourself & that which makes you truly unique in this world!

The festival is based on the foundations of House, Techno, and Love, so if you’re into that you will love Desert Hearts festival!

Buku Music + Arts Project

Location: New Orleans, LA
Date: March 25 + 26, 2022

Buku, a New Orleans slang term that means "plenty" brings together everything you could ever love about New Orleans into one festival. From local delicacies to Mardi Gras themes, street art, and the way the festival gives back to its local community through various grassroots initiatives, Buku does the absolute most every year to bring attendees an unforgettable experience in the artsy lower garden district of the city.

As if the visual arts weren’t enough of a spectacle, you can shuffle or headbang the night away to your favorite EDM artists or shout your favorite lyrics back to your fav rappers like Tyler, The Creator’s legendary performance this past year!

Other unforgettable performances by Dom Dolla, Glass Animals, Taking Back Sunday, Kaytranada and Porter Robinson have graced the stages of Buku in previous years, some of which you can watch on their YouTube channel here. Head over to their website to check out their ticket info or their Instagram to get a feel for the vibe of the fest and stay tuned to their latest updates!

Gem & Jam

Location: Tucson, AZ
Dates: February 3 - 5, 2023

Last but not least we have Gem & Jam, a cute festival that takes place at the Pima County Fairgrounds in Tucson, right in the middle of winter. So if you hate the cold but love jam bands and electronic music, rare gems, and trippy vibes, this festival is for you.

Bringing together over 1,000 live painters, psychedelic dancers, jewelry and crystal vendors, and artists that traverse the metaphysical with their sounds (think STS9, Lotus, Liquid Stranger, Big Gigantic and Tipper), Gem & Jam draws a colorful crowd that continues to grow in size since its inception in 2005. 

Gem & Jam also offers a variety of workshops for attendees to attend, including yoga, drum circles, sound baths and more. It truly is a magical experience and one of Arizona’s best music festivals outside of Relentless Beats or Insomniac events.

Check out their website for more info here & then head over to our outfits page to find your next festival look!

Themes

Each year, it seems, the festival takes on a new form and evolves to become better than the year before – as any good festival should. However, unlike other large scale music festivals like EDCLV, which stays pretty consistent with their motif, Electric Zoo has had all sorts of themes starting in 2015 with “TRANSFORMED,” which boasted a much different look and feel than previous lineups while still maintaining the EZOO standard: an absolutely STACKED lineup.

Any veteran EZOO attendee knew that in the early days of Electric Zoo, you could almost always catch Kaskade, Eric Prydz, Skrillex (from Dogs Blood to his Jack Ü days), Above & Beyond, Alesso, Tiesto, Zedd, Deadmau5, Armin Van Buuren & so many more EDM OG’s. They have always stayed relevant with the times while making sure to infuse heavy hitters as well as emerging artists truly breaking through in the scene. It’s masterful, really.

2016

The following year, in 2016, EZOO revealed their next theme: “Wild Island,” a year that introduced stage hosts and hosted a carefully curated stage by Anjunadeep, which at the time was one of the label’s biggest festival stage takeovers to date! From “undercards” like Yotto and Cubicolor who had just signed onto the label, to legends like Lane 8 & a live performance from Way Out West (Bristolian dance music mavericks Jody Wisternoff and Nick Warren), Anjuna really made sure to go deep & give the people what they wanted! Borgore also brought the heat that year with his BUYGORE stage, bringing on bass heavy acts like Getter, GTA, Valentino Khan & even adding Lil Dicky & Juicy J to turn up the vibe. 2016 could not complain!

2017

In 2017 it was EZOO “6th Boro” where they began to tease the lineup by blurring out certain acts, and in 2018 they celebrated their 10 year anniversary with “The Big 10.” Event producers did not hold back that year with star-studded headliners like Marshmello, Martin Garrix, Alesso, Kaskade, Tiesto and Virtual Self and stage takeovers from Deadbeats, Brownies & Lemonade, Hypehouse x Nightbass, All My Friends & more! They also made some environmentally friendly additions to the festival, like partnering with Boxed Water is Better, introducing paper straws and having both Vegan and Vegetarian food options!

2019

EZoo 2019 was “Evolved” and 2020 was “Supernaturals,” but it was canceled due to COVID-19 and rescheduled for Labor Day of 2021. Supernaturals – aside from Wild Island and this year's 3.0 futuristic/crypto motif – was probably my favorite branding/marketing/promo I've ever seen EZOO do.

I really loved how EZoo went above and beyond into otherworldly realms as they revealed different facets of their theme, “calling all cosmic creatures, astral aliens, intergalactic illusionists, supernatural wizards, shamans, witches, and extraterrestrial beings for a once-in-a-lifetime experience on Randalls Island, in the heart of New York City.” Call me biased because I’m a Scorpio born near Halloween, but the mystical motif made so much sense at the time and called for so much creativity on behalf of festival promoters as well as festival attendees!

2022

This year is no different with the amount of creativity poured into the festival, however, Electric Zoo is blasting off into the future with all kinds of upgrades like never before, including their recently announced stage: “The Landing,” replacing and retiring the legendary Hilltop Arena!

These upgrades come as Electric Zoo was recently acquired by NYC’s Avant Gardner, which truly is at the forefront of Manhattan nightlife, owning legendary spaces such as the Brooklyn Mirage and venues like Kings Hall, Great Hall and Lost Circus, some of which will be hosting this year’s EZOO After Parties - a no-brainer of course! So it comes as no surprise that they would go all out this year with next-level stage hosts like Confession, Bite This!, Carl Cox Presents & Odyzey.

There are afterparties you’re not going to want to miss this year, like Martin Garrix at the Brooklyn Mirage, Afrojack at Marquee and, closing out the weekend at one of Brooklyn’s best venues, isSuperior Ingredients. At this event you'll have house & tech house OG: Loco Dice, who will be playing Monday as well as at Carl Cox’s stage on Sunday!

EZoo's Best

From artists to fashion, to food, sustainability, and especially the art they feature throughout the festival, Electric Zoo continues to bridge gaps and drop jaws as they make strides to expand and revolutionize the music festival game on the East Coast and throughout the world! 

Which set are you most excited about? Let us know if the comments and don’t forget to tag us @iheartraves ! 

Although stage hosts at EZOO isn’t something new, as we’ve seen the likes of Ophelia, Deadbeats, Nightbass and other labels take over entire stages - this year brings an eclectic new mix of artists and sounds that have people really conflicted or really set on where they’re going to be – there is no in between. Personally, I have artists I want to see at all stages so I’m excited for them to release set times, but I know in my heart that I will be at one stage more than any other: Tchami’s Confession Stage.

Still, there is so much worth exploring and I have really loved diving into the artists I don’t know as well by sifting through Spotify playlists. This playlist is by far my favorite! So put on your headphones, kick back and learn more about this year’s Electric Zoo Stage Hosts! 

Confession

Confession is a label started by one of the founding fathers of Future House himself, French-born DJ and producer: Tchami. Teasing the release of his label with this SoundCloud Minimix titled “What’s To Come,” he showcased 5 of Confession’s upcoming releases which had fans all over salivating and to this day has not stopped releasing straight heaters since. 6 years later, not only has he added an incredible roster to the Confession repertoire, but is now taking entire festival stages, gracing EZOO with some of the biggest names in house, including:

• Malaa
• Wax Motif
• Matroda
• Bijou
• Capozzi
• Taiki Nulight

And himself, of course! Catch him closing out the Hilltop Arena alongside his friends to kick off EZOO Day 1! 

Brownies & Lemonade

No stranger to stage takeovers at EZOO and just festival stages and underground shows in general, EZOO welcomes Brownies & Lemonade for yet another year of absolute debauchery. Founded by a few house party music loving friends, the intention behind B&L in the words of Kush is that it “caters to the SoundCloud scene and focuses on a lot of acts that don’t usually get booked.” Although the artists featured on this year’s Brownies & Lemonade stage at are far from “basement DJ’s” and have quite a few festivals under their belts, they are artists who make moves in the underground bass scene with experimental sounds that are far from mainstream. Make sure to check them out on Day 1 at The Grove!

Artists: 

• Apashe
• G Jones B2B Eprom
• Of The Trees
• Netsky
• Memba
• Rossy
• Deadcrow
• Jon Casey B2B Capshun

Bite This!

Bite This! is a music label started by Sam Vogel, otherwise known as Jauz. Not only did he expand his artistic endeavors from being a DJ/Producer and designing his own line with savormeditation, but he started a label back in 2017, pushing forward and mixing artists playing genres like future bass, dubstep, bass house and trap. His choice of artists for this year’s EZOO x Bite This! Stage takeover come as no surprise then, recruiting some of bass music’s heaviest hitters that will have you gripping that rail and headbanging your heart out at the Hilltop Arena all of Day 2!

• Artists:
• Jauz
• SVDDEN DEATH
• DIESEL
• DIMENSION
• WHIPPED CREAM
• Moore Kismet
• XCRPT
• BARILAN
• RNÉ

Odyzey

Switching over to a more experimental, psychedelic vibe we have the Odyzey stage, curated by Clozee, so we can expect face-melting performances with wobbly tunes and perhaps even some live instrumentals. Clozee, hailing all the way from Toulouse, France, has been described as the “space queen” and has curated some fantastic mini-festivals in interesting places like The Caverns in Tennessee and Cheyenne, WY called Voyage. Her sound has large bass & trap-tribal influences so you know the artists she’s chosen to play her stage at EZOO will bring the noise & the vibes! Catch the Odyzey stage takeover at Riverside on Sunday, day 3!

• Artists:
• Clozee
• Inzo
• Mersiv
• Rome in Silver
• Sumthin Sumthin
• Wreckno
• Tripp St.
• Redrum
• Canvas
• NotLö

Carl Cox Invites

Carl Cox is another absolute legend who is known for keeping the techno scene alive and THRIVING since the early 80’s! A true pioneer for Acid House and dance music in general, Carl Cox has graced stages all over the world with his infectious energy and passion for the music he creates and commands. You cannot go to a Carl Cox set and not feel the electricity he emits from the DJ booth and the artists he’s bringing with him to EZOO will be no different! Head over to the Hillside Arena on Day 3 to immerse yourself in a techno trance!

• Artists: 
• Carl Cox
• Loco Dice
• Andrea Oliva B2B Ilario Alicante
• Chelina Manuhutu
• DJ Holographic
• Charles Meyer

Which stages will you be gravitating to the most? Let us know and don’t forget to tag us in your posts/stories with @iheartraves

Life Is Beautiful

Taking place this year from September 16-18, Life is Beautiful is more than just a music festival—it’s a WHOLE experience that will make you fall in love with Las Vegas for more than just its shows and casinos. I was never a gambler (though you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do that during your visit if you’d like) so finding something like this was definitely up my alley. 

Much different than Electric Daisy Carnival (EDC Las Vegas), you can find a wide range of artists and experiences at Life is Beautiful that cater to various age groups and music tastes, which you can see by looking at any of their lineups. Last year, I checked quite a few artists off my bucket list, including EARTHGANG, Glass Animals, Tame Impala, Keys n Krates AND, much to the delight of my teenage self: Green Day. This year is certainly no different, with the lineup boasting artists like: Jack Harlow, Kygo, Calvin Harris, Beach House, SG Lewis, Tai Verdes, Phantoms AND the legendary Gorillaz, to name a few! Check out the full and completely stacked lineup here. Honestly, this festival does not miss, although I will say, because I'm huge into EDM, I really love that they have a dedicated EDM tunnel for all of us ravers out there! 

It truly is so fun to weave in and out of the different worlds within Life is Beautiful - you can go from getting down to the music at one their 7 stages straight into a seated and air-conditioned comedy show, or head over to Market in The Alley to peruse some fun vendors, then immerse yourself in a culinary experience that gives you a taste of the best of what Vegas has to offer. Life is Beautiful, as is implied by the name, was created to remind us of all the beautiful things this life has to offer, expanding our minds and inspiring us through various artistic avenues.

One of the coolest things about Life Is Beautiful is that it takes place in the Arts District of Las Vegas, which is only a short drive from the strip if that’s where you choose to stay. The arts district boasts 18 blocks of carefully curated art by Just Kids, featuring local Las Vegas artists and artists worldwide. Some of my favorite artists they’ve featured? Pretty Done, Camille Walala, Spidertag, André Saraiva & more!

Where to Stay

Regarding accommodations, I highly recommend staying closer to the festival to avoid any traffic. Because after a long festival day, there’s nothing like just walking a block or two to your hotel. A few places I would recommend staying at are:

• El Cortez
• The Downtowner 
• Oasis at Gold Spike (Adults Only)
• Circa

Tickets & Experiences 

Or head over to LIB’s booking portal to find hotel packages exclusive to the festival! Speaking of packages, head over to their ticketing page to understand more about which ticket is right for you! You can choose from GA (1-Day or 3-Day), VIP (1-Day or 3-Day), VIP+ (1-day or 3-day) and the ALL-IN tickets, which grant you entry into Artist Hospitality (aka you get to meet your favorite artists), exclusive culinary experiences and get shuttled between stages (because walking is for peasants) – you can get 1-day or 3-day ALL IN passes depending on your budget and can always upgrade during the festival.

In the past I've done the VIP experience, which was fun because you get to enter the exclusive viewing areas through the express entries, have air-conditioned bathrooms, and their sponsors set up cute little areas where you can enjoy drinks or food in their lounges. The festival also sells VIP Suites for companies or people hosting large parties. These hospitality suites come with 15 VIP tickets, amazing views of the downtown stage, an open bar and so much more. Currently there is a waitlist but you can fill out the form here.

Getting There

If you’re not driving to the festival, the nearest airport would be the Harry Reid International Airport, or the North Las Vegas Airport. From there, you can either rent a car or Uber to where you need to go! Want to get to the festival without having to book a Lyft or an Uber? Check out the Shuttle Passes offered by LIB, where you can be picked up at a designated location and shuttled to the festival all 3 days! Each person would have to book their own shuttle pass but it definitely seems that it could be worth it if you’re staying further away from the festival and don’t want to drive!

And now, one of my favorite parts!

What to wear to Life is Beautiful! 

Since the Festival takes place in September, the temperatures are definitely not as hot as what you would expect - however, it still is warm and you can definitely get away with skirts, shorts and short-sleeved shirts or tank tops. Because Las Vegas IS a desert, it is important to note that temperatures at night could get a little chilly, so bringing a light jacket is not the worst idea. Here are a few of our recommendations from IHR’s closet!

Dancing In The Desert Outfit 

Wild West Warrioress Outfit

Bratz Be Like Outfit

Ready, Aim, Fire Outfit

Lost In Speed Outfit

Each of these outfits speaks to the current trends but also to the eclectic nature of Life Is Beautiful. No matter what you decide to wear, each of these outfits will make you feel like the baddest baddie in all the lands! Just remember to enjoy each moment & have the time of your life – because life really is SO SO beautiful.

Although Lollapalooza is not what you would consider a rave (it’s a multi-genre music festival that ends at 10pm each night) – there’s no reason why you can’t get a little rave-y, especially when you have acts like Kaskade, John Summit, Zhu, Habstrakt, Chris Lorenzo, Duke Dumont & Liquid Stranger set to play throughout the weekend!

Then again, since it’s a multi-genre festival, you can honestly get away with anything; you can get a little grungy for Metallica, MGK & Green Day or dress for the trends with corset tops, chains and add your own touch to it with whatever shoes & accessories speak to your personal vibe, or the vibe of the festival.

The great thing about rave fashion is that you can mix and match styles and vibes according to what you’re feeling. The only thing about Lollapalooza to consider is the weather - typically Chicago this time of year is pretty hot & humid, with the occasional rain or it gets dry and dusty.

Here are some of our fav looks that can tie most of the elements together:

• Bold Baddie
• Floral Queen
• Sweet Skirts
• Classic Black

Bold Baddie

There’s no way you won’t feel like a complete baddie in all of these outfits, but these to me play really well into a grungier, bolder look if that’s what you’re going for! Any of these would pair perfectly with black docs or shoes, chains & sunglasses - all of which you can find on our  accessories page!

Ready, Aim, Fire Outfit

Bad B Outfit

Bass Head Baddie Outfit

Ride The Wave Outfit

Floral Queen

Summertime is definitely the perfect time (other than spring) to rock floral prints. You just can’t  go wrong in any type of setting, whether a rave or a festival, with any of these cute fits. If you are wanting to combine the vibes, check out our “Lil Midnight Warrior Outfit,” where bold meets floral!

Flower Fairy Outfit

Daisy Deluxe Outfit

Lil Midnight Warrior Outfit

Boho Beauty Outfit

Sweet Skirts

These sets are some of my favorite and basically all I want to wear to a festival this summer, so maybe i’m a little biased, but these are fun prints that you can mix and match with other tops or bottoms to give it more of a Lolla.

For example, I might also bring or wear this top with the  Liquid Emotions Outfit in case it gets hot but still bring the whole outfit in case it gets cooler at night.

Liquid Emotions Outfit

Watercolor Eyes Outfit

Trippy Touch Outfit

Vivacious Voyager Outfit

Classic Black

You can't go wrong with an all-black look or a black staple piece. You can either wear these outfits to Lollapalooza or you can take inspiration and use pieces from them to create a look of your own that fits the vibe!

Obsidian Outfit

Enchanting Charmer Outfit

Leave U Breathless Outfit

We're so excited to see the looks you come up with this year! Don’t forget to tag us @iheartraves for a chance to be featured!

Happy Lolla!

The legendary 4-day Lollapalooza festival takes place in picturesque Grant Park and has been rocking the city since 1991 – making it one of the longest standing music festivals in US history. It was founded by Perry Farrell, lead singer of Jane’s Addiction, as a farewell tour for the band. The festival toured the US for many years, finally settling in Chicago with 4 additional international versions spanning from Europe to South America—all boasting diverse lineups that tend to sell out the festival pretty quickly!

This year, however, if you haven’t purchased your tickets you don’t need to scour the internet or scan for scalpers just yet– tickets have not yet sold out. You can still purchase your GA, GA+, VIP & Platinum Tickets here, as well as packages and ticket bundles in case you want to go only a few days or ball out with their Destination Hotel package or as a Lolla Insider, since Cabanas did sell out!

Some of the perks of being a Lolla Insider, you ask?

• Access to all Platinum stage viewing plus exclusive side-stage viewing
• Private, on-demand golf cart transportation around the festival grounds
• Personal concierge
• One ticket per person to an Official Lollapalooza Aftershow of your choice
• Complete access to all Platinum, VIP, GA+ and GA areas

& so much more! You just have to email them rather than purchase tickets directly. Very interesting, mysterious and enticing, if you ask me. Personally, I'm most interested in the Platinum Stage Viewing, where you get “prime viewing at the top six stages” aka you might catch a pick from Metallica and die a legend. Or just have a really cool Lolla keepsake!

Speaking of performers, YES, Metallica will be making a return to the festival next to acts like Dua Lipa, Glass Animals, Don Toliver, J.Cole, J.Hope of BTS, Kygo, J.Cole, and of course, the underground/alternative sounds that are what Lollapalooza was known for when they first put the festival together. These include: The Wombats, Coin, Beach Bunny, Pom Pom Squad & more! The full lineup can be found here + a sweet little Spotify playlist to get better acquainted with all of the artists playing!

At this juncture, Lollapalooza is a little more than a month away and by now you *hopefully* have most of your affairs in order! The possibility exists, however, that you have no clue how you’re getting there, where you’re gonna stay, what you’re going to wear, etc. Or maybe you’re new to Lollapalooza and you need a little extra guidance.

Either way, we’ve taken the liberty of doing some research for you! So sit back, relax, and sift through our Lollapalooza Travel Guide!

Where to Stay

Obviously, the closer you stay to the festival, the more expensive it will be. If you don’t mind spending the extra money for convenience, then you can check out the Palmer House Hilton (located 5 minutes from the north entrance) or any of these hotels suggested by Trip Advisor  or these hotels suggested by Lolla.  Quite a few of these are located in Chicago’s Magnificent Mile, which runs parallel to the lake, through the Chicago River (not literally there’s a bridge I'm sure) and ushers you straight into the festival.

Others recommended to go further up north and stay in hotels, hostels or Airbnbs in the Lincoln Park or Boystown areas where nightlife is bustling come 10pm (when the festival ends). One Reddit user suggested: “If you want to find places to eat after the fest, you need to go north of the Loop.” Wicker Park was also a recommendation, albeit further west than the aforementioned locations but much more economical than staying somewhere like the Gold Coast or along the Majestic mile, if you’re on a budget.

It’s definitely important to take into account how easy it is to get from where you’re staying to the festival. Many choose to stay close to the Red line or the Blue line, recommending you get a Ventra Card to use for the weekend! Unless you rented a car or decide to split a Lyft with your group, this definitely seems like the most affordable option and is a great way to get to know the city.

How to Get to Lollapalooza

The closest, most convenient and most popular airport you’d be flying into is the Chicago O’Hare (ORD) airport by far—however, it’s far from your only option. You might also want to look into flights to Chicago Midway International (MDW) or, if you want to avoid the massive crowds at the more popular airports and want to take a little road trip with your rental, you have the option of flying into thee Chicago Rockford Int’l Airport (RFD) - though I would personally stick to what’s closer/more convenient!

As far as transportation, you could look into renting a car or simply using public transportation to get you downtown.

The CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) typically runs the Red, Blue, Orange, and Brown lines a lot more frequently and for longer hours that weekend in order to accommodate festival guests, however, it would be a great idea to check out their website to get better acquainted with their map & hours so you’re not scrambling to figure it out after the festival ends!

The Vibe

Lollapalooza tends to draw in a diverse crowd, not just because Chicago is a major city, but because the lineup goes from alternative rock to hip hop to electronic music, and allows children as well (see: kidzapalooza). It is definitely not EDC or Electric Forest, so you’ll want to dress accordingly. This is where I get caught up sometimes, because I want what I wear to encapsulate the vibe of the festival as well as who I am as an individual. Luckily, savormeditation has you covered!

What to Wear to Lollapalooza

While the weather in Chicago can vary, what has been consistent is the heat and humidity that is to be expected during a mid-summer festival. HOWEVER, many have warned of the potential for rain, which in past years has caused–you guessed it: mud. Conversely, there was a year where it was “an absolute dust bowl,” meaning that no rain and heat made for dust being kicked up & inhaled: another less than ideal scenario. In any case, it’s wise not to bring your favorite pair of shoes and maybe a face mask just in case.

Also, although the festival only goes until 10, temperatures could possibly drop to the 50’s like they did in previous years, leaving people wishing they’d brought layers. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to pack a light long sleeved shirt just in case, but here are some cute outfit suggestions from our closet to yours! Keep in mind that you can change the vibe of any outfit by adding shorts or another skirt to make it less rave-y to fit the vibe, but we also encourage wearing whatever you want regardless of what other people expect!

Rainbow Dazzler Outfit

Love Wins Outfit

Swirling With Magic Outfit

Ready, Aim, Fire Outfit

True Colors Outfit

Defy The Dragon Outfit

Dancefloor Diva Outfit

Psychedelic Wonderland Outfit

Disturbia Outfit

Groovy Girlie Outfit

So Sagittarius Outfit

This year we’re seeing the revival of Y2K: Solid colors, pop colors, neon coloWould pair perfectly with high waisted jean shorts! You can’t go wrong with this look and can dress it up with some of our cute accessories, like any of these earrings from our collab with Nomad Kandi! 

If you’re reading this and you’re NOT going to Lolla, you can still buy that cute outfit, invite your friends over & stream the festival on Hulu! If you are going, make sure to pour one out for the homies & gorge yourself on all the amazing food at Chow Town, Lollapalooza & GrubHub’s consortium of food from some of the best restaurants in the city. I’m drooling just reading all of these food vendors, definitely worth looking into and budgeting for!

No matter what you choose to wear, eat or do, just make sure to go with an open mind! Make incredible memories and don’t forget to tag us to show off your looks using @iheartraves or #iheartraves.  Happy Lolla!

Raving Responsibly

But, as is the case with most beautiful places that go viral on social media, it has become overrun with unethical tourism practices. With many tourists forgetting all of the wonders and the richness of the culture surrounding said nightclubs, we wanted to encourage ravers to learn more about the places they visit for festivals and parties.

Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all for traveling to enjoy some EDM in beautiful locations and foreign countries. Originally I wanted to write about how to rave in Tulum as an escape from the winter cold, but as I was doing my research for this article I found it hard to want to coax people into simply “Raving in Tulum” without giving context to the wonderful people, history and culture that exists there.

As a Latina, I have deep Mayan roots. I felt the way that some people were experiencing Tulum as just a party scene takes away from the entirety of the magic that lies within these once well preserved Mayan stomping grounds. I felt called to re-route my article.

Tulum is more than just a place to rave, although the closest EDM-filled beach nightclub is never too far (check out the “cool hotels to stay at” section for a hotels that host some really fun events!). It truly is such a spiritual place that deserves to be enjoyed in its entirety. So, without further ado, here are a few ways to rave responsibly and respectfully in Tulum!

Cool Hotels to Stay At:

• Be Tulum
• Nomade
• Amansala Eco Chic Resort
• Bikini Bootcamp Tulum (outdoor gym)
• Cenotes Casa Tortuga Tulum
• Papaya Playa Project 
• Bufo Alvarius Sanctuary
• AHAU Tulum         
• Featuring Ven a La Luz art installation by Daniel Popper 
• Daily beachfront yoga, acro & aerial yoga available!

Popular Festivals & Upcoming Concerts:

All you need to know is: Sundream Tulum. This festival features the legends of the sun themselves: Rüfüs Du Sol. I couldn’t think of a better artist to headline in such a beautiful and sacred place, honestly, other than maybe Odesza! This 4-day festival takes place at the Papaya Playa Project. Opening weekend takes place March 3rd - 6th, with closing weekend (which is sold out) taking place March 10th -13th.

Three days of the festival include live music events, while Sunday will be a rest, recovery & wellness day. The convenient thing is that the venue is one of the most beautiful stays in Tulum, IMO, as well as the fact that you’d get to co-mingle with everyone else attending. It's an enriching experience that will bring you closer to yourself and your environment.

The number one tried and true festival that will always pop up in your Tulum Music Festival search is Day Zero Fest, created and hosted by Damian Lazarus. This year’s event, which took place in early January, marked 10 years since the festival’s inception in 2012—the ending of the Mayan calendar & the beginning of a transcendental period for Tulum and all who visit! I mean, you can literally feel the magic in every video and photo, and the best part is that the festivals being mentioned are extremely mindful of preserving the beauty and magic of Tulum.

In fact, if you visit Day Zero’s website, you can read more about their commitment to sustainability, which started in 2018 with a full fledged team dedicated to preserving the jungle with their pillars/goals being to: REFUSE, REDUCE, RECOVER & RETURN. Read more about it & learn about how you can contribute here.

I would be remiss if I didn't bring up Zamna Festival, though! At Zamna, you can find yourself immersed deeply in the majestic Mayan culture, from authentic cuisine, cabanas & their very own Cenote, which is known for hosting some amazing artists! With sets from artists like Damian Lazarus, Charlotte De Witte and Adam Beyer, there is no shortage of talent to grace its white sand beaches.

Smaller clubs & event promoters like SET underground hosted Anjunadeep’s own Spencer Brown, Luttrel, QRION, Moonboots & JUST HER at the end of January of this year at a secret Cenote. Make sure to check out the following promoters as well, as they seem to be the ones on top of most of the events in Tulum!

Vagalume Tulum

Deep House Tulum

Tulum Tower

3rd Eye The Sound Tribe

COVID-19 Restrictions:

Many of the aforementioned hotels and events are following the COVID-19 regulations set forth by the local government, which, as of March 2022 and in accordance with the Mexico Tourist Card website: “Mexico is OPEN to ALL visitors. No special requirements, health tests, or quarantines are required. However, travelers are reminded to follow Health Travel Guidance as well as local and state advisories regarding COVID-19."

While COVID-19 restrictions may be easing in many parts of the world, you are a visitor in another country and should be respectful of the local community. Take a COVID-19 test in the days prior to your visit and reconsider travel if you are sick. There will always be another rave. 

Where to Fly Into:

Typically, you would be flying into the Cancun Airport, but it all depends on your itinerary. For safety & security purposes, I would definitely recommend flying there!

Local Sights to Check Out:

Food:
Mexican food is rich with delicious flavors, textures and color. The Mexican food you experience in the US may be delicious, but the diverse cooking customs and practices found throughout Mexico mean that there are likely dishes you've never seen in the US and elsewhere. Take some time to enjoy the local food while you're there and try something new. I recommend checking out the Central Palm food trucks.

Cenotes:

You can’t go to Tulum and not visit a Cenote. A “Cenote” is a picturesque/pinterest-worthy sinkhole made of limestone that is typically found in the Yucatan Peninsula and parts of Central America. A few of the hotels/resorts have their own private cenotes that have been known to host private parties and raves, but you’d definitely have to dig to find out when/where those take place. In the meantime, these are a few of the local favorites & remember: Cenotes are still sacred places that deserve to be preserved.

Many Cenotes offer showers so people can enter the cenotes free of any sunscreen. The chemicals found in many SPFs often have long lasting & irreversible damage on the ecosystem of the area. Make sure to stay mindful of leaving no trace by being considerate of your impact on these delicate ecosystems. Do your research on how to get to and enjoy the cenotes since some are more easily accessible than others. Some you can bike to, others you have to pay a taxi to get to and it is recommended to have that taxi wait for you.

1. Cenote Taakbiha
2. Cenote Calavera
3. Cenote Azul

Check out this blog here to find a really cool map of all the Cenotes in and around Tulum + all the amenities they have to offer here & make sure to check out these playlists here + here to tap into the vibe of Tulum before you go! 

Local History:

Tulum and the area around the Yucatan peninsula has some of the richest history on Earth. Mayan pyramids in the area are open to visit, and other ancient ruins are yours to explore. Even if you're visiting Tulum strictly on rave business, it's worth taking some time to check out the ancient sites and monuments around the area. Here is a map for you to check out.

From the art, to the fashion, to the music, it’s incredibly enlightening to take note of the historical context from which dance music stemmed. To celebrate Black History Month, we're talking about the parts of dance music that stem from Black communities around the world. This week, we're covering house and techno.

From Funk, to House, to Techno

The two most notable genres that came from Black America are definitely House and Techno, though those are not the only genres that came from Black communities around the world. As a shuffler, I’m a big fan of house music, which originated from disco and funk, and again, all tie back to Chicago, Detroit and New York in the 1970’s as part of an underground club culture that ran counter to the mainstream.

At the time, marginalized people from Latino and Black communities to members of the LGBTQ+ community needed a place to go to feel safe and welcomed in a social setting. For members of the LGBTQ+ community, the toll of the AIDS epidemic and the social stigma that came with it meant that there were few places that welcomed them.

Marginalized people started to flood these underground nightclubs that were spinning house and techno, finally finding a place to just BE themselves, let the music take over, and forget about the world for just a few hours—not unlike how we do today.

For marginalized people, or people ostracized by the stigma that came with the AIDS crisis (many of whom were people of color), dance music was more than a fun night out, it was a haven. In a 2016 essay titled "Artistic Resilience: The Black Gay DJ in the AIDS Crisis," author Kevin L. Tarver discusses the ways that being a Black, gay DJ in the '80s was a revolutionary act of love to the community.

The Black artists that pioneered the underground disco, house and techno clubs between the '70s and '90s paved the way for dance music as we know it today.  Young, Black, gay men like Frankie Knuckles and Frederick Dunson were pioneering the movement, experiencing the freedom and the community of these secret, underground warehouse raves that brought so many walks of life together.

Commanding the decks at clubs in New York and Chicago, Knuckles and Dunson would break the molds in dance music by infusing different genres and breathing new life to old hits. They did so with advanced sound production equipment like the Roland 808 drum machine & the Roland TB-303. “The Warehouse,” a members-only Chicago nightclub owned by Robert Williams, credited as the birthplace of house (after which it was named). The venue was predominantly patronized by Black and Latino crowds.

Eventually these underground shows became wildly popular and, according to Mr. Williams in an interview with Splice, “membership grew, which was a good thing. It taught Chicagoans how to network interracially. The more you attended, the more you became part of a family,” Williams said. Dance music was community, and it was inclusive in ways that society was not.

Further East, sandwiched between the two powerhouse cities of Chicago and New York was Detroit doing it’s own thing with the birth of the underground techno scene. As the disco scene died out, the iconic trio known as the Belleville Three began to take the clubs by storm at the beginning of the '80s.

Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May, and Juan Atkins were three best friends who met when they attended Belleville High School and would eventually begin their own club - the Music Institute - where they would help bring about the next wave of techno producers from Detroit. It was an incredible time to be alive and one in which I definitely wish I could’ve lived.

Today

Fast forward to 2022 and now techno and house are simply dominating the festival circuit, with the likes of Gene Farris, Green Velvet, Honey Dijon and MK – to name a few. My personal favorite sub-genre, however, is the beautiful fusion of the two genres, otherwise known as Tech House.

It’s amazing to see how far house and techno have come, and how powerful music has always been in uniting people from all walks of life. I love hearing samples in songs where you can hear powerful sermons from black voices that are so inspiring and nostalgic, like in Disclosure’s ENERGY featuring Detroit born Eric Thomas, and in Malaa, Tchami & Bellecour’s Bylina, featuring Ron Caroll, also a Detroit native.

There is so much history behind how Black communities created many dance music genres, and it’s worth looking into! House and Techno are just two of the many genres that came from Black artists. In Europe, genres like dubstep, trap, grime, jungle, DnB, Bass and more stemmed from Black communities in cities around the UK and Europe.

Drum and Bass - A Brief History

There have been many genre blends and crossovers throughout the years, but one that fuses some of the best and most dominant genres of the late 80’s & throughout the 90’s is definitely drum and bass. It’s like hip hop & house music made a baby while visiting the UK & left it there to fend for itself. From what i’ve gathered, at least, since it’s been often referred to as the “bastard child of electronic music.” See, drum and bass was never really the “popular” genre spinning at the clubs (relative to Detroit’s house or techno), and it never cared to be, even to this day as it begins to flood club speakers and major music festival lineups.

Although, to say that only hip-hop, rap, techno and house influenced DNB to be where or what it is today, would be far from the truth. In fact, like many genres in the electronic music scene, drum and bass dates back to having influences from the early rave scene, jazz, dancehall, and funk – among many other sounds stemming from the  breakbeat hardcore genre dominating the sound waves in the 90’s. Ever the rebel genre, however, DNB evolved from jungle and set itself apart with faster BPM’s, manipulating breakbeats to produce a sound that theorist Kodwo Eshun called “hyper rhythm, posthuman rhythm that’s impossible to play.”

DNB would eventually splinter off into various sub-genres and eventually began to decline in popularity in the early 2000’s, however, the Dons of DNB rose up in the 90’s to forever solidify DNB as a staple in the electronic music world.

Drum and Bass - OG’s

Drum N Bass wouldn't be where it is today without the mention of a few notables from the rise of the genre. Originating in the UK, some of the pioneers were artists like  Goldie, known for his golden grin & creating one of the first and most influential DNB record labels to this day:  Metalheadz.

But, he definitely wasn’t the only one:  Grooverider was another name that helped push Goldie to create the sounds being produced by the label, as well as continued to  disseminate the sounds all over the world on major radio stations like  BBC Radio 1. As a matter of fact, it was  Grooverider and Fabio – both DJ’s from London – who began to make waves and lay down the groundwork for DNB at  London’s Heaven Club in the early 90’s.

Thursday nights were called  RAGE and initially hosted primarily house music, but later on as Fabio and Grooverider began their Thursday night residency, Rage would take on a completely different vibe—one which would hold a strong and steady 5 year reign.

Drum’n’Bass - New

As the 2000’s made way for other emerging and more popular sounds, DNB began to fade into the underground from whence it came, though that never meant that it died; simply, it was no longer at the forefront of the electronic scene. It wasn’t until artists like  Netsky,  Sub Focus,  Machinedrum,  Mat Zo and many others began to refine the sounds to incorporate more modern, synchronized and even melodic elements into the jungle/DNB soundscape.

Most recently, labels like Space Yacht and  Jauz’s Bite This have been curating some incredible DNB compilations featuring artists like REAPER, Kumarion, Sorry If It’s Loud and more. Something I was really pleasantly surprised to see was JOYRYDE’s all DNB set at EDC - it was truly so incredible to witness and the energy was unlike anything else I’d experienced.

I am excited to see Drum n Bass continue to lift up and rise in the ranks as more UK sounds begin to infiltrate the electronic dance scene not only in the US, but around the world. How do you feel about DNB? Who are your favorite artists? Let us know in the comments!

Fast forward several years and Space Yacht has carved a name for itself within the music world. From discovering some of the best up & coming artists through their Tune Reactor on Twitch to creating an eclectic clothing brand and taking over entire stages at festivals like Beyond Wonderland, there’s no doubt that the Space Yacht crew is on the verge of something massive—one pizza slice at a time.

We caught up with Space Yacht Co-Founder Rami Perlman to find out where the Space Yacht ship is headed after catching wind of their debut DnB Compilation: Critical Mass Vol. 1

savormeditation: Space Yacht has been taking the scene by storm in the last few years, what would you say sets space yacht apart from other shows and dance music events?

Rami Perlman: When we started Space Yacht six years ago, it was just a hang for our friends, DJs and industry folks. We didn't set out with any grand vision. After the first year, we started to see Space Yacht as a real thing where people were asking us if they could play our shows.

We made it our mission to bring the best up-and-coming talent, who you may or may not have ever heard of, to the forefront. We always joke that we discover new artists 18 months before they ever hit one of the festival main stages. We think of our events as a source of new music discovery. We also have an incredible community of music fans, producers and club goers who are some of the most open-minded, kind people out there.

iHR: The pandemic definitely threw everyone for a loop last year but Space Yacht continued to rise & thrive. What are some of the ways you leveraged and balanced everything going on in 2020 and what are some of the milestones you’re proudest about?

RP: Like many, Covid completely shut down our existing events business. We were able to survive by starting new businesses that could exist online. In 2020 we launched a record label, clothing line, NFT business and Twitch demo listening show show called Tune Reactor.

By living online and connecting directly with our community, these new businesses enabled us to not only stay relevant, but grow our fanbase. What we didn't see coming was that Tune Reactor would became a place for us to discover new talent for the label and our events; 80%-90% of what we've been signing to the label has come from that show, and in many cases we've booked lineups for events based on who is impressing us on Twitch. Wild!

iHR: There’s no shortage of talent & creativity with the Space Yacht crew and that clearly showed through your NFT drops last year! From your in-house designers to your collaboration with Goldweard, could you tell me more about everything that went into creating “the fastest selling NFTs that Nifty Getaway had ever seen”?

RP: NFTs have been a new form of expression for the brand. We had already been working with animators and creatives for our tour visuals, so we already had a gang of great visual creators. I also loved the idea of creating music specifically for NFTs that don't exist on streaming platforms.

We ended up bringing on Sahir Khan to lead the animation team. Sahir was a Space Yacht regular who I often smoked joints with on the back patio at our Tuesday night events. He also just so happens to be an insanely talented creative director and animator. In the past year, we have created 4 collections together, all featuring original animations by Sahir and music from me. I'm also a physical art and NFT collector, so for me this has been a true labor of love.

iHR: Speaking of collabs & cool drops, talk to me more about the Space Yacht aesthetic and how it inspires your clothing line as far as who you collaborate with & what kinds of designs we see? I loved the drops with Crimson Child and Bubz and am excited to see you guys continue to highlight some of the amazing art within the EDM community!

RP: The images and slogans that are put on our clothing represent the attitude of our community, and they're a reflection of me and Henry's twisted sense of humor. Designs like "WE ARE SO FCKED" and "Welcome To Hell" are good examples of that.  It's all tongue-in-cheek in some way, but it's who we are.  Just as we collaborate with talent in the music space, apparel allows us to further collaborate with visual artists who are in our scene.

Most recently we’ve collaborated with Pretty Done, who is an artist based out of Las Vegas. He’s been creating all the artwork for our record label releases and we have a collaborative apparel collection coming this fall.  We love visual art, it's always been a part of what we do.

iHR: Now that we’re on the topic of fashion I have to ask, what are some of your favorite rave and festival fashion styles you’ve seen this year and how do you see yourself continuing to incorporate yourself into the festival fashion circuit?

RP: We just did our second pop up shop with Rave Wonderland, who are one of our favorite clothing brands in the festival space. When you go to the bigger raves, you see Rave Wonderland outfits and clack fans all over the place. It's amazing to see them killing it, and they have been huge supporters of Space Yacht.

I think the three biggest fashion trends we've been seeing at the festivals are definitely artist jerseys, clack fans and sling bags. And it makes sense. A jersey is the most comfortable shirt you can wear. It's breathable, and both guys and girls can rock it. It's hot as hell on the West Coast, so the clack fans will keep you cool. People also love clacking them at the drop. Clack fans are by far Space Yacht's best selling item at festivals.

Finally, the sling bag is the perfect accessory where you can keep all essentials without having to carry around a backpack. It also looks cool. You can keep your weed in it. Also, bucket hats have been the rage!

iHR: Now I know you’re not just at festivals and shows checking out the fashion - could you tell me more about the way you curate the artists you choose for your Space Yacht Takeovers? What would be the best way for an up and coming artist to catch your attention?

RP: Like any other music fan, we discover music from our own research and various sources. Henry and I are music fans, first and foremost!  But we have indeed found a lot of new artists from Tune Reactor, as well as from managers and agents who hit us up about new projects that they are working on.

The curation always revolves around genre or theme for each event. If we’re going to do a Tech My House night, we'll focus on DJs and producers in that lane. We'll usually have an anchor person to headline the night, and then build the lineup around that person. More and more, we are integrating talent from our record label to play our shows.

A lot of times, the bookings are centered around who is in our universe at the moment. Sometimes, I'll be racking my brain about who to put on a show, and then someone will tweet at me, or a manager will hit me up on email, and all of a sudden I'm booking that artist. Curation is about 50% of what we do on a day to day basis, and we are constantly pushing ourselves to deliver fresh artists and lineups. It's easy to get stale if you don't keep pushing new ideas.

iHR: DNB is definitely the talk of the town these days & Space Yacht continues to be at the forefront with your inaugural Drum and Bass Compilation which is curated by REAPER this year. Tell us more about what we can expect from Critical Mass Vol 1. & if we can expect to see more of these artists at your takeovers?

RP: Drum and bass is actually the first type of electronic music that I fell in love with, so this compilation is definitely near and dear to my heart. Critical Mass Vol. 1 showcases a collection of artists who are on the rise and pushing the genre forward, specifically in the US.

We tapped REAPER to help curate the comp as we've been huge fans of his, and definitely see him as leading the D&B scene in the states. He brought a lot to this project, both in finding records and working out the tracks that flowed together on the comp. We intend to do more of these kinds of curatorial collaborations in the future. We have an upcoming Techno compilation that we are working on with HELBOUND!, and a few other projects in the works with producers from our scene.

iHR: You don't have to tune into Tune Reactor for long to discover some incredible new artists and sounds that haven't yet graced our ears at the clubs or mainstage. Can you name a couple (or a few) of up & coming artists you’re most excited about from Critical Mass, Tech My House or just in general? PUT US ON!

RP: Top to bottom, we think all of the artists on the Critical Mass compilation are worth diving into. If you are new to D&B or interested in where the genre is headed, this group is really leading the way. For real, I can't choose just one. On the House side of things we are extremely excited about the upcoming Tech My House Vol 3. roster which includes Xeno, Dem2, Gibson Parker, Local Singles and a slew of other house gunslingers. Also, the Crimson Child album we dropped a few months back is a masterpiece. Definitely worth diving into.

iHR: Did you always see Space Yacht going in this direction? What do you see for the future of Space Yacht?

RP: We started this party on a whim, just for fun. In no way did we see it turning into a relevant brand within the dance music space, let alone become our full-time jobs. We feel grateful every day that we get to do what we love, and help be a platform for new talent to reach their goals.

As we look towards the future, we are focused on brand and company growth, which in some cases means that we are just going to keep doing what we are doing - sign records, throw shows, make cool shit. We always have a few experimental projects in the works that may or may not lead to anything, like when we started our NFT initiative, which turned into a new, successful business for us. But our core passion will always be in music, dance music culture and helping new artists live out their dreams.

iHR: How can I get my hands on a Space Yacht Disco Ball tho?

RP: That thing weighs 300 pounds. Good luck carrying it out of the club haha!

So, while I try to figure out how to smuggle this disco ball out of Sound, make sure to check out Space Yacht on Twitter & Twitch for all the out of pocket content, vibey tunes & pizza you’ll ever need! Check out the latest Space Yacht release, Big Bass Ting Vol. 2. The compilation was released just in time for the Halloween weekend.

Photo by Eden Shohat | @edenskiz

But, if you’re NOT about all of that, I got you. Here’s everything you need to know about Dirtybird Campout before you attend!

Happy Campers!

Grab your homies, pack your floaties & get ready to migrate West for one of the best festivals this side of the US. I might be biased because I'm a huge house head, but other than Daytrip LA & Salt Lake City’s Get Funky Festival, Dirtybird Campout is arguably one of the best lineups I've seen as far as heavy hitters in the house arena.

But it’s not all just house music—the festival hosts three different stages, the biggest of the two being the Birdhouse stage featuring house & techno, the Bass Lodge & Claude’s Cabin!

If you’re wanting a little break from all the dancing, grab your potato sack & hop over to Game HQ! Here you can face off with other campers in Tug-O-War, Kickball, Dodgeball & all types of field games reminiscent of the good ol’ days. Or, if athletics aren’t really your jam, head over to Craftopia to apply some patches from VNSSA to your sash (or backpack or whatever your heart desires), learn how to craft a totem, or just treat yourself to some dope festival braids! One thing’s for sure - there’s no shortage of activities to get lost in at this adult summer camp.

Stages

Birdhouse Stage

AKA the main stage! Here you’ll find your heartbeat racing & your feet shaping to a wide range of house & techno artists from Claude’s flock of friends. Past years have seen the likes of Sonny Fodera, Chris Lake, Walker & Royce and this year promises to be just as stacked. Ready to shake your tail feathers? Check out The Birdhouse playlist on Spotify to get a taste of what to expect from main stage this year!  

Bass Lodge

Grab your pashmina and head over to the Bass Lodge for some heavier, wonkier, low frequency vibrations that’ll take you deep within and transport you to a whole other dimension. This year’s Bass Lodge lineup includes Medasin, Cookie Kawaii, and Claude’s wonky alter ego, Barclay Crenshaw. But wait! There’s more. The amazing folks at DBC took the liberty of recommending a few artists to check out at the Bass Lodge this year! Not only that, but they really blessed us with 3 hours and 2 minutes of Bass Lodge bangers if you’re really wanting to dive into the vibe of things! 

Claude’s Cabin 

Let your freak flag fly as you beatbox, bingo & show off your talents at Claude’s Cabin, dedicated to bringing campers together through absolute debauchery. Head over at your own risk, as you might end up on the giving end of a lap dance or belting out Lady Gaga at the Bad Drag Show! But, if that’s not your cup of tea, it’s all good! The DBC team has added a number of other shows, contests & activities including but DEFINITELY not limited to: a frozen t-shirt contest, the first annual Dirtybird Campout Spelling Bee, The Kyrian Grill Show & so much more. Check out the full lineup here!

The Counselors

Something super unique to this festival that I think larger festivals lack is the connection between the artists & their fan bases. At Dirtybird Campout, you’ll most likely find yourself twerking with Vonstroke himself right before catching a set from his alter ego, Barclay Crenshaw. Because you know, DJ’s are people too.

If you’re feeling a little more low key though, you can always create totems with Nala & VNSSA, learn to screen print with Nikki Nair & Sacha Robotti or participate in any of the other artist games and activities going on all weekend! I’d personally get there on Thursday, not just to get the best camping spot, but because playing some late night soccer with El Monk and Ardalan sounds like the best time!

Nesting

During this time of the year, Modesto is very hot during the day, averaging temps as high as 78 degrees & as low as 50 degrees at night. Veteran Dirtybird Campers have mentioned dipping their pashminas in water to wear around either their necks or head as a way to keep cool while also warning of “cold as heck” temperatures at night so head over to DBC’s ULTIMATE packing list to make sure you cover all your bases!

While you’re at it, make sure to pack your favorite flotation devices & bucket hats and head over to the reservoir to row your worries away (not that you’ll have any at DBC) on some Kayaks, Canoes & Paddle Boards. But, if you’re feeling a little competitive, make sure to check out all Games HQ has to offer on land & in the water to make the most out of your festival experience - just don’t forget to pack the biodegradable sunscreen!

If you’re a first timer or new to camping festivals in general, it’s definitely worth reading DBC’s tips on sustainable camping as well as their Ticket FAQ’s for the most thorough breakdown of what to bring based on which pass and which add-ons you choose to buy; because unless you’re purchasing a VIB ticket or going the RV route, you’ll need to bring your own tent, a tarp in case it rains, shade for the tent when it gets hot and a ton of other logistical items to bring that could save you a ton of stress!

Very Important Birds

Although I'm sure everyone is a very important bird in Claude’s eyes, the VIB experience will give you a birds eye view of the entire festival (and private bathrooms - which mean shorter lines and to us girls, that means the world!). I’ve only done VIP at one festival and it was honestly amazing to have so much SPACE. Festivals can get really overwhelming for some so having backstage lounges to take a break from all the heat and potentially hang with some of your favorite artists is worth the extra cost in my opinion. If you’re feeling extra boujee or simply can’t be bothered to bring and build your own tent, make sure to check out their Birds Nest Luxury Camp Options, which include guaranteed headsets for the Silent Disco every evening, private FREE camp showers (typically you need to purchase shower tokens for $7/day) and other amenities aimed at elevating your stay.

Become a CIT: Counselor in Training

There are so many ways to get involved in the Dirtybird Campout but one of the best ones, other than the DJ competition, is to become a Counselor in Training! CIT’s are the ones who make sure the vibe is right and the community is tight knit, enjoying both behind the scenes and all the action at camp! Once your application is submitted & you’re chosen, all you need to do is put down a deposit and voila! You are officially a CIT!

As long as you meet all the requirements outlined in the CIT Work Exchange Agreement, you not only get your deposit back BUT you get a ton of other benefits, including a free festival & camping wristband, meals, shower tokens, early arrival access and more! Not a bad gig if you ask me!

Birdfeed

After almost a year of being locked inside, the return of festival season brought back all types of different emotions, but mostly complete excitement followed by a giant wave of pre-rave jitters that could only be cured with a really cute fit. Luckily, I was able to take advantage of IHR’s Festival Shipping and copped a really cute two-piece set that I knew I’d be able to shuffle in as well as some cute accessories that got to me just in time!

If you’re anything like me, you like looking cute and being functional, but most importantly you love being comfortable! While it’s true that feeling yourself starts from within, having what you’re wearing not only be seasonally appropriate but also fit with the vibe of the festival just checks off way too many boxes for me to overlook. When planning what to pack for a festival. I usually start off reading fashion tips from our 240 blog & end up watching festival recaps on YouTube to really understand what I'm getting myself into, but I'm also a Leo rising so the extra just comes easily to me!

Believe it or not, figuring out the logistics for the fest was actually the easiest part, considering the fact that all you need to do to figure out accommodations is get a hotel right downtown or on the strip. Staying in the Arts District is mostly ideal because the festival ends and you can go right upstairs vs. having to wait for a Lyft, which actually only took about 15 minutes each night. I was fully expecting to enter EDC traffic chaos with trying to find a way home but that simply wasn’t the case!

If you downloaded the Life is Beautiful app, they basically took care of the thinking for you. They made sure to remind you to download the CLEAR app to facilitate the health screening (you upload your vaccination card & are able to use it at multiple events) and get you your health wristband for the weekend, making the whole process of entering the festival a breeze.

Once inside the festival, it was game time. I’d spent most of the car ride studying their app because I'm a nerd and also because they absolutely crushed it with the UX/UI. Not only does it break your schedule down by highlighting the artists you favorited in the artist section, but it sends you notifications as any of your favorites are about to start & even has a drop down of who’s currently playing and where. The app includes 3 different maps: the MAIN festival map, an interactive map, and a map to help you find all the amazing art & murals - which was honestly one of the highlights of the entire festival for me.

As an artist, I fell in love with Vegas for the first time this past January during the pandemic, when the arts district was a ghost town & all I could do was admire the prismatic & thought provoking murals that adorned the walls of these empty streets. Seeing them then transformed with a wave of Charlotte Dutoit’s wand into this wonderland teeming with vibrant, smiling, dancing souls just further cemented my love and appreciation for this magical 3-day festival. But what really did it for me was, without a DOUBT, the music.

Life is Beautiful is known for having some of the most eye-catching and eclectic lineups i’ve ever seen. Bridging the gap between genres and generations, past lineups boast names like Post Malone, ZHU, Chance The Rapper, Stevie Wonder, Outkast, Zedd & so many other artists I'd gladly give up my first child to see.

Kidding.

This year though, my heart eyes were all for Cannons, LANY, Willow Smith, Glass Animals, Tame Impala and just too many to name! When it comes to lineups, this festival caught my attention because it wasn’t just catering to my electric soul (which are the festivals I usually tend to gravitate to!). As much as I love going all out on rave outfits for EDC & despite the fact that I listen to EDM primarily, it was nice to be able to sit on the grass side stage, sipping on overpriced drinks & swaying to the majestic sounds coming from St. Vincent’s vocal and guitar strings. I’m not kidding. If she was the only one playing that night it would’ve ALL been worth it. Her stage presence alone was unparalleled except for Willow & Glass Animals, who both commanded the stage with larger than life auras and performances. I was TRULY blown away all 3 days.

Life is Beautiful is more than a festival; it’s a mantra, a mentality, and perhaps above all, a way of existing.

Buying the ticket is the hardest part about planning for a music festival. Once you buy your ticket, the rest of it is a breeze if you prepare ahead of time! Here are a few tips on How To Travel For Festivals in 2023!

Planning/Pre-Festival

Do your research

Doing your research and getting informed about your festival is one of the funnest parts about planning for your festival weekend! From watching festival recap videos on YouTube to finding outfit inspo on Pinterest, there are plenty of ways to understand the vibe of your fest & what to bring!

Make sure to also research the area you’ll be visiting! Although certain festivals are located in remote areas, you might be able to find some nearby attractions or Instagrammable murals to check out outside of the festival. Either way, it definitely pays to be prepared to get the most out of your weekend!

Create a Game Plan

Coming up with the logistics of how things will go down can make the weekend seem way less daunting and much easier to be excited about. Logistics can include:

Who will be driving
Splitting costs (gas, food, accommodations)
Who will be booking the Airbnb or hotel

Doing this in advance can essentially cut costs and diminish any pre-festival jitters, so make sure to get a group chat going before the festival to make sure everyone’s on the same page!

Location

Location determines a lot of things, including the weather and what kind of outfits you’ll be wearing each day. Make sure to do a little research about the location your music festival will be in, because most of the time if they’re in the US, your festival is bound to be in some remote location in a random state with pretty unpredictable weather.

If you plan to travel to a music festival outside of the US, you’ll want to make sure you have your passport & any immunizations you might need to get in and out of the country. 

Accomodations

The festival you end up going to will determine where you ultimately end up staying. If you’re able to buy your festival tickets ahead of time (6 months to a year is ideal!), you’ll be able to save A LOT more on your accommodations versus if you were to randomly full send the festival 3 months before (I highly do not recommend this but it's also not impossible!). A few options for lodging include:

Camping

Camping is probably one of my favorite ways to enjoy a music festival. It is the best way to meet new people outside of your group and connect to the festival in ways you couldn’t just going to and from a hotel. Campgrounds typically have their own events going on outside of the fest so make sure to check out our 4 Secrets To Having The Perfect Camping Festival Experience blog for tips on how to best prepare!

Hotels

In some instances, booking a hotel or an AirBnb may be the better or only option if your festival doesn’t offer camping or their own accommodations. Make sure to check out the official festival website for their suggestions on where to stay, since there are often deals between the festival and local hotels that also offer shuttles to the festival.    

AirBnb

If you’re rolling deep with a squad of 10 or more, you may want to look into booking an Airbnb. These stays offer plenty of space for people to sleep and hang out in, and aren’t as restrictive as some hotels. If you prefer to stay at an Airbnb, make sure to book ahead of time since the best ones book out months in advance & make sure to keep an eye on those pesky fees - they can really drive the price up!

Transportation

Cars

More likely than not, you’ll be road tripping with some of your best friends and what’s not to love about that? Road trips mean road trip snacks, jamming out to N’SYNC B2B *your fav DJ* and last but not least: SPLITTING GAS. Sounds like a win, win win to me!

Flights

If you plan on flying, however, you’ll want to get on that ASAP if possible. Typically though, you’ll find the best prices if you buy your tickets 3 or more months for domestic flights & 6 or more months for international trips. Don’t forget to take advantage of any airline point systems and reward credit cards if you’re able to take on the responsibility of a credit card!

Shuttles

If you plan on staying at the hotel and don’t want to operate heavy machinery going to and from the festival, almost every festival offers shuttle options to get you to and from designated locations safely. Just make sure to keep an eye on shuttle schedules so you’re not stuck having to pay a ridiculously inflated price to take an Uber down the street!

Fast Charging Stations

We’re living in 2021 and smart vehicles are the wave, and probably the most eco-friendly way to get to your festival. If you plan to pull up in your Tesla or any other EV (electric vehicle), you’ll want to make sure you’re able to locate the nearest charging stations. Festivals like Coachella are nice enough to provide a small list, but others may not be as thorough. 

Packing Lists/Checklists

If this is your first time traveling for a music festival and have no idea where to begin with a packing list, no worries! We’ve got you covered. Check out our Ultimate Camping Festival Checklist for a comprehensive list of things you definitely won’t want to forget when you’re miles away from home!

Pero si aun encuentras difícil encontrar el rave outfit para hombres perfecto, aquí hay una lista de opciones que los hombres se pueden poner!

Como Se Visten Los Hombres Para Los Raves

• Kandi
• Camiseta Con o sin Mangas
• Pantalones Atléticos
• Zapatos Cómodos
• Sombrero
• Gafas de Sol
• Bandana/Mascarilla 
• Hydration Pack
• Calzoncillos Con Bolsillo Oculto
• Sudadera

Kandi

Este accesorio es unos de los más populares en la cultura de raving. “Kandi” es el nombre que se la ha dado a los pulseras que se hacen con cuentas coloradas que se suelen usar para expresarte, conectar con otros ravers, y expandir el concepto de P.L.U.R (Paz, Amor, Unidad y Respeto - 4 principios en los que se basa la cultura de rave).

Júntate con tus amigos y amigas anteriormente para crear Kandi para ti y los demás. Intercambiar y colectar Kandi es super divertido y te puede dar la oportunidad de conocer a nuevos amigos que durarán toda una vida! Levantarte y ver tus nuevos tesoros te hará recordar todos esos momentos mágicos que tuviste la noche anterior!

Camiseta Con O Sin Mangas

¡Resalta entre la multitud con estas camisetas vibrantes! Asegurate que la camiseta que te pongas sea transpirable! No hay nada peor que estar muriéndote del calor en un océano de otros ravers! Pero en verdad, los hombres aún se pueden vestir en una camiseta con diseño simple, ya que hay varias otras maneras de hacer que tu atuendo resalte!

Midweight Bomber

Pantalones Atléticos

Lo más importante de los pantalones atléticos que escojas ponerte para el rave sean transpirables! Se te hará más fácil pasar toda la noche en la pista de baile sin que te mueras del calor. Tenemos un montón de pantalones con diseños galácticos y vistosos que harán que tu atuendo de festival sobresalga!

Zapatos Cómodos

Asegúrate de que te pongas un par de zapatos cómodos y cerrados! Estarás caminando y bailando por mucho más tiempo de lo que quizás estés acostumbrado. Ponte un par de tenis que no te importe ensuciar, ya que es inevitable que alguien se pare en ellos en el transcurso de la noche.

Gorros/Sombreros/Cachuchas

Termina tu “look” con un gorro! El sol puede ser implacable y es super importante que te protejas de esos rayos dañinos. Con tantos ravers en el evento, quizás querrás una cachucha única para que tu grupo te pueda encontrar fácilmente dentro de la multitud!

Basic Joggers

Gafas de Sol

Cuando se trata de raves, estas son divertidas y funcionales. Las gafas de sol son el Accesorio perfecto que también te protege los ojos del sol durante el día, y de las luces intensas y los láseres durante la noche.

También encontrarás un montón de estilos interesantes de diseños de caleidoscopio y difracción de luz que pueden mejorar tu experiencia visual, agregando también un estilo único a tu look.

Bandana/Mascarilla

Protege tus pulmones de todo el polvo con una mascarilla estilosa! Tenemos un montón de mascarillas diseñadas para el rave y lo polvoso que se pueden poner los festivales! Encuentra el diseños perfecto para tu atuendo o para coordinar con tu grupo!

Fractal Flower Seamless Mask Bandana

Hydration Pack

Mantenerte hidratado durante un festival de música es lo más importante, ya que estarás quemando mucha energía! Las botellas de agua suelen ser demasiado caras en los festivales, pero usualmente hay estaciones de agua donde puedes llenar y rellenar tus recipientes durante la noche - gratis! Los Hydration Packs son perfectos para los festivales de música porque se pueden llenar lo suficiente para que puedas disfrutar de tus DJ's favoritos sin interrupciones!

Calzoncillos Con Bolsillo Oculto

Nunca jamas tendras que sacrificar tus pertenencias a la seguridad del festival. Los Calzoncillos Con Bolsillo Oculto te da acceso fácil y rápido a tus cosas sin la molestia de botones o cremalleras. Mantén tus cosas de valor contigo y ten en un lugar seguro durante todos los raves y festivales!

Dan-Pak Chroma Black Hydro Backpack

Sudadera

Si el clima está un poco frío o si estarás en el festival de dia a noche, te recomendamos una sudadera con diseños de rave para mantenerte acalorado cuando bajen las temperaturas. Haz una declaración audaz con tu grupo al ponerse todos las sudaderas de galaxia que están fuera de este mundo!

Si sientes que no te llama la atención la ropa de rave de hombres, algunas personas crean sus propios atuendos y disfraces como una pijama mono de animal o un traje de banana. En verdad, te puedes poner lo que sea cuando se trata de raves y festivales de música, así que asegúrate de disfrutar de la música, expresar tu alma y más que todo divertirte!

No hay peor aguafiestas durante un fin de semana de festival que cuando pierdes o te roban tus cosas. Mientras que la mentalidad de PLUR siempre está presente durante los raves, desafortunadamente, no todos comparten la misma mentalidad. Esto no significa que debes de ponerte paranoico y dudar de cualquier persona que se te acerca, pero aquí hay algunos consejos que pueden ayudar a mantener seguro tus pertenencias y fuera de las manos de los ladrones. 

Nunca Dejes Nada en Tu Bolsillo Trasero

Si decides poner tus objetos valiosos en tus bolsillos, NUNCA LOS PONGAS EN TUS BOLSILLOS TRASEROS. Tus bolsillos traseros son blancos perfectos para los ladrones, aún si se cierran. Ya seas alguien a quien le guste estar en el frente o alguien que le gusta bailar hacia atrás, es muy fácil que alguien choque contra ti y te saque algo del bolsillo. Mantén tus cosas valiosas en frente de ti donde las puedas ver y saber fácilmente si han desaparecido.

Mantente alerta de tus alrededores. Los carteristas raramente te roban las cosas al primer paso, a menos que tengas tus cosas guindando de tus bolsas. Si sientes que alguien choca contra ti de una manera más fuerte de lo normal, puede que estén viendo si tienes algo fácil de robar. Cuando siento que alguien choca contra mi, siempre reviso las cremalleras de mi bolso para asegurarme de que todo esté cerrado. Si te das cuenta de que alguien se está comportando de una manera extraña, puede ser que necesites cambiar de lugar.

Revisar tus cosas consistentemente es una manera buena de saber donde tienes tus pertenencias en todo momento. Antes de llegar al festival, cambia tu pantalla de bloqueo a una nota con el número de teléfono de un amigo(a) por si acaso si se pierde.

Usa Los Bolsos Correctos   

No cabe duda que los bolsos son necesarios para los festivales largos, especialmente cuando tienes que lidiar con varios elementos que la madre naturaleza nos arroja de vez en cuando. Escoger el bolso correcto puede ser la diferencia entre una buena o mala experiencia.

Si eres una “mamá de rave” y te gusta tener varias cosas esenciales que pueden ayudar a tu familia, tienes suerte. Hay una variedad de bolsos con sistemas de antirrobos creados específicamente para los festivales - completamente equipados con recipientes de agua y estéticas deslumbrantes. La característica clave de estos bolsos son que las cerraduras quedan hacia tu espalda. Esto hará casi imposible que los ladrones pongan sus manos en tus cosas sin que te des cuenta.

¿Traes pocas cosas contigo? Te sugerimos un look de riñonera fabuloso. No solo es un accesorio perfecto para tu traje de festival, pero también mantiene tus cosas frente de tu cuerpo. Pon las correas de la riñonera a través de las hebillas de tu cinturón para seguridad adicional! 

Chequea más riñoneras estelares, como esta, al visitar savormeditation!

Guarda tus Cosas en Los Bolsillos Interiores de tus Bolsos Si no quieres entrar a tu bolsillo para comprar una bolsa nueva de antirrobos, hay varias maneras de mantener seguras tus cosas en las bolsas que ya tienes. 

Primeramente, asegúrate de que la mochila que traes no se pueda cortar fácilmente. He escuchado demasiadas historias de gente que trae bolsas finas solo para encontrar grandes huecos dentro de ellas al final de la noche.

Si tu, como yo, tienes una bolsa regular con cerraduras que voltean hacia afuera, mantente consciente de la manera en que guardas las cosas que traerás contigo dentro del lugar. Mantén tu identificación, tarjetas de débito/crédito, dinero en efectivo, llaves, cargador portátil y otras cosas valiosas en el bolsillo interior! Esta es la parte más difícil de acceder, y mientras te irrite el tiempo extra que te tomará para sacar tus cosas, estarás más feliz al final de la noche. Mantén las cosas que más necesitarás y son fácil de reponer en los bolsillos del frente.

Además, si mantienes tus cosas organizadas, tendrás menos momentos de pánico donde no puedes recordar dónde pusiste algo dentro de tu bolsa.

Usa un Acollador

Si eres alguien que solo trae los esenciales pero nunca tienes bolsillos para guardar las cosas fácilmente, los acolladores son el sustituto perfecto para las mochilas.

¿Qué te parece mejor que tener todo lo que necesitas alrededor de tu cuello? Muchos de los llaveros antiguos vienen con secciones donde puedes meter tu teléfono. Para aumentar el espacio de almacenamiento, mantén tu dinero y tarjeta de identificación dentro de tu teléfono para que tengas todo junto.

Aunque tus cosas estén más expuestas, es mucho más difícil que los ladrones te roben tu acollador donde tus cosas están a la vista - ¡solo asegúrate que no se vaya volando cuando estés headbanging!

Alquila un Armario

Y si lo demás no funciona, alquila un armario.

Es posible que traigas más de lo normal, no tengas bolso o simplemente no quieres andar preocupado de que vas a perder algo - los armarios están a la orden. Muchos de los festivales (si no todos) tienen armarios para rentar, en línea e incluso cuando llegues al festival.

Los armarios proveen la solución para muchos problemas - no solo el hurto. ¿Necesitas un lugar donde poner tu teléfono mientras se carga? Ponlo en el armario. ¿No quieres andar la nueva mercancía que compraste en las manos? Ponlo en el armario. ¿Necesitan un lugar para encontrarse con tu grupo? Vayan a los armarios.

Puede ser un pago adicional que no estabas planeando, pero vale la pena saber que tus cosas están seguras.

Mantenerte a ti y tus pertenencias sanos y salvos es una parte esencial de mantener las buenas vibras durante tu fin de semana de festival. Si tienes consejos adicionales que no mencionamos aquí, déjanos saber en los comentarios!