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.

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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!

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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!  

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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.

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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!

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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!

Make A Checklist

Make sure you know ahead of time what everyone needs to bring. Before you call the Uber or hop on the shuttle, go over your checklist to confirm that everyone has the essentials. Your list should include things like wristbands or tickets, phones, IDs and credit cards.

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Always Be Prepared

Rave moms are constantly being hit up for phone chargers, gum, inhalers, etc. Have the solution to any problem in your bag! Keep fashion tape, pasties and other must-haves on hand.

Prep Your Rave Babies

If you have any festival newbies in your crew, make sure they’re prepared for what’s to come. Teach them about rave etiquette, safety and PLUR.

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Have A Meeting Spot

Getting separated at a festival is inevitable. People will go to different sets or leave the group to explore. Designate a meeting place and time before the festival in case you don’t have service or someone’s phone is dead.

Track Each Other’s Phones

Unfortunately, pickpockets love to strike at festivals. Turn on Find My Friends in case someone’s phone gets stolen or lost.

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Hydrate

It is so important to stay hydrated when you are dancing for hours on end. Keep yourself and your rave fam hydrated. Carrying a hydration pack is a super easy way to always have water nearby.

Know The Schedule

One of my favorite festival hacks is setting the daily schedule as the lock screen on my phone. You don’t need to have the set times memorized but it will be so helpful to have them easily accessible. If you want to go the extra mile to keep track of your friends, write everyone’s name next to the sets they plan on attending.

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Watch The Weather

If you’re going to an outdoor rave, make sure you plan for inclement weather. Bring a fan and sunglasses if it’s going to be hot. Pack a pashmina for when the sun goes down and don’t forget ponchos in case it rains.

Educate Yourself

Anyone can overdose. Whether it’s someone you know or not, if you see someone who looks at risk of overdose, help them. Tell the medics or ground control. Check out End Overdose to learn what other steps you can take to save a life. Click here to read about how savormeditation is supporting this cause. 

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Spread PLUR

Finally, it’s important to keep your rave fam and everyone around you happy. Help mitigate if there are any disagreements within your group. Raves are all about love and acceptance, so spread good vibes!

Good luck to all our rave moms out there, we love you!

You may have heard stories or witnessed people swapping kandi around you, usually while doing some type of secret handshake, and you might be curious about what exactly is happening. If you’ve been wondering how to trade kandi at a rave, we’ve got the tips, tricks, and etiquette rules you need to know before you get started. 

What is Kandi?

Most people use the term “kandi” to describe brightly colored beaded bracelets that are usually made with pony beads (those plastic beads you used to make bracelets as a kid).

Today, kandi can be used to describe beaded bracelets, necklaces, masks, and even clothing, as people have become more and more creative in the way they use their beads. Kandi is a distinctive and unique part of rave culture and is designed to be given away or traded away as a sign of PLUR culture - peace, love, unity, and respect. 

Photo Credit: @sunflowerraver 

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Where does PLUR come from?

It might seem a bit strange that a subculture would have its own motto, but that’s exactly the case with raves and the PLUR lifestyle. What’s ironic is that the PLUR motto actually came from a decidedly un-PLUR situation.

As the story goes, New York DJ Frankie Bones was playing at a rave in the Bronx on July 24, 1993. A fight broke out in the crowd and ended up spilling over onto Bones’ deck. He grabbed the microphone and shouted “You better start showing some peace, love, and unity or I will break your f*cking faces!”

The story of the humorous moment ended up spreading throughout the 90s rave scene like wildfire and was a testimony to the difficulties and struggles surrounding the early scene.

Ever since, PLUR culture has been synonymous with the rave scene, and today, ravers demonstrate respect and love to everyone while expressing themselves and dancing the night away in peace and unity. Kandi is symbolic of PLUR culture and symbolizes a strong connection made between two people at a rave or festival.

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Making Kandi

One of the most special parts of trading kandi actually occurs before the trade even happens while making kandi. Although some people choose to buy kandi, this is generally frowned upon in kandi etiquette , because kandi is supposed to be meaningful, special, and unique.

With that said, if you don’t have time to make kandi before your next festival and you don’t want to show up empty handed, you’ll be forgiven for buying it. Making kandi requires just a few simple supplies. To make kandi, you’ll need:

• Pony beads (or beads of your choice)
• String (elastic string preferred)
• Scissors
• A ruler

If you’re new to making kandi or arts and crafts aren’t exactly your strong suit, start by making a simple single strand bead bracelet. These are the easiest to make and are also the most commonly traded with other people. As a bonus, it’s easy to get creative, and they’re inexpensive to make.

You can personalize your bracelets using letter beads to create phrases or write out the person’s name, and you can also add charms and unique beads that reflect your interests or the interests of the person you’re making them for. Most people wear layers of kandi bracelets stacked up their arms for dramatic effect, but they can also be stitched together to form a cuff if you’re looking to get a little fancier.

Kandi can pretty much be made in any form, including 3D bracelets, necklaces, perlers, masks, and even clothing, if you’re particularly talented with your beadwork.

If you’ve never heard of perlers, they’re a unique type of necklace made of small, heat activated beads (called perler beads) that fuse together when heated. Perlers can be made to resemble certain cartoon characters, shapes, symbols, and patterns, and the only limit on what they can be is your creativity.

Check out this blog post for how to make your own 3D Kandi Cuff!

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Trading Kandi

Once you’ve made your kandi, it’s time for the fun part - trading it! While it might seem as simple as walking up to the nearest person and asking to swap, there’s actually some fairly specific kandi trading etiquette that should be followed, and a specific process that usually goes down.

Kandi is traded when you make a special connection with someone, whether it be a person you met in line for the porta-potties, your BFF, or the hot guy dancing next to you all night. This creates special meaning and memories behind the kandi you trade, and those memories can stick with you for years to come. 

PLUR Handshake

As a general rule, kandi is always swapped after doing the PLUR handshake. Yes, rave culture has its own secret handshake, and learning it is kandi-essential! To perform the PLUR handshake, you’ll draw out the symbols of the motto with your fingers to spell out P (peace), L (love), U (unity), and R (respect).

1. For peace, use your index and middle fingers to make a peace sign and touch your fingers to the other person’s fingers.
2. For love, make half of a heart shape with your hand and touch your half to the other person’s half.
3. For unity, clasp the other person’s hand and interlock fingers with them.
4. For respect, trade your kandi through your interlocked hands, one at a time.

That’s it! If you’re trading necklaces, use both hands to perform the handshake during necklace trades, but otherwise, use just one hand to swap bracelets.

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Kandi Trading Etiquette

Now it’s time to discuss a few kandi trading etiquette guidelines. Of course, always do the PLUR handshake when trading kandi, but besides that, you’ll want to follow the rest of these guidelines as well.

• Don’t ask for specific pieces: It’s considered rude to ask for specific pieces of kandi from someone. Kandi should be traded organically, and the person giving you kandi will select a specific piece for you based on qualities that they may see in you, memories you share together, or other meaningful characteristics. Remember, kandi is all about celebrating a connection, and asking for specific pieces of kandi doesn’t help to build that connection.
• Don’t randomly ask for kandi without a connection: We’ve emphasized how important the connection is to kandi trading, so it should go without saying that you need to establish a connection with someone and get to know them before trading. If you approach the first person that you see wearing kandi and ask for some, they will probably still give it to you, but you’re missing the point of trading entirely, which is to share something special.
• Don’t trade pieces that you have received: It’s considered bad form to trade pieces of kandi that have been given to you, since they were given to you based on another person’s connection with you. Many ravers have kandi on one arm that they have been given and on another that they have created to give away. Keep the kandi you’ve received so that you can hold onto the memories associated with them!
• Don’t trade pieces that were made specially for you: Elaborating on the etiquette tip above, never trade kandi pieces that were made specially for you. If someone took the time to make you kandi specifically because they thought you would like it, honor that connection and hold onto it.
• Create the kandi you want to receive: Consider it the golden rule of kandi: create the kandi you want to receive. Remember to put just as much love into creating your kandi as you hope to receive from it.
• Trade something else if  you don’t have kandi: If you don’t have any kandi to give away, that’s ok! It’s fine to trade something else in exchange, and sometimes, that can be an even more special way of creating a memory. 

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Left Arm vs Right Arm

When it comes to kandi trading, both arms are not created equal. Generally speaking, most kandi traders keep the kandi that they are willing to trade on their right arm and their “untradeable” kandi on their left arm.

Kandi that is untradeable might have special meaning, have been given to the person, or go with the theme of the person’s costume. While everyone is different, this is a general rule. If someone offers for you to choose a piece of kandi when you’re trading, make sure to ask if there are any pieces that are off limits, just to be careful.

Giving Kandi

Of course, you don’t have to trade kandi if you don’t want to - you can just give it away! If you see someone who is kandi-less or who looks particularly lonely or sad, giving them kandi can be a way to lift their spirits and bring them into the PLUR lifestyle. Kandi is about spreading PLUR wherever you go, so take the opportunity to give it away whenever you can.

She also gives us a peek into her creative process, from finding calm with chill music and nature walks to collaborating with other artists. We chat about her upcoming performance at Das Energi, her take on queer representation in music, and what she’s excited about next! 

savormeditation: I loved your song, "Looking For Joy," Could you tell me a bit about the production process behind that?

Kaleena Zanders: Yeah, so I did that in the UK. I seem to make some of my best music when I go to London, and this was one of the the ones from there. And that day, I was just kind of feeling spent and and over it, and I was asking myself, 'how do I find joy in all of this?'

Sometimes even the perception of joy and when people look at you and they think you're having a lot of fun, but sometimes you could still be in a weird state of mind. So I was just really trying to ask myself, through ups and downs, how do I consistently find joy? It turned into this beautiful thing that I kind of didn't expect. 

iHR: I think it kind of speaks to everyone's need for community and finding joy despite the horrors. How do you find joy?  

KZ: That's so funny. One of my processes for finding joy is listening to really chill music that has bells and little chimes and really calming chords. Because a lot of my days are feeling really fast-paced and filled with a lot of anxiety. So you know, throughout my process, through the day, I try to listen to really chill music or classical jazz music.

Another thing is I take my daily walks, which is really important for me and really good for my mental health, because it kind of forces me to just look up in the sky, and I generally love nature and it makes me happy. So, you know, things like that, and FaceTiming friends. Because I travel so much, I don't get a lot of IRL time so I try to FaceTime friends and get their joy.

iHR: Those are really good ways to find joy. I recently heard this quote that said 'you should strive for peace and not happiness, because happiness comes from peace.' And I think that's a really good way to put it. Could you tell us a bit about the music video? What was that creative process like? 

KZ: So the music video, so we went on a really interesting journey with it, because I created the storyline with my friend Greg Wolf. It started off with me being with sort of a superhero. And I realized that, you know, I don't have a million dollar budget to make something like that just yet. So I scaled it back, and I was just thinking, 'how do I just tell the story of myself?' which is, you know, the fun auntie. It's kind of inspired by reincarnation. I always feel it's sort of calling to the 60s or 50s or the 70s.

I was trying to channel that energy but in a new way. So it's more of a conversation about my personal story, that's why it's just me in it. And, you know, different evolutions in my daily life or different scenes. 

iHR: That's a really cool perspective. As a songwriter and producer, which usually comes first? Do you have an idea of what you want a song to sound like before you do the lyrics or vice-versa?

KZ: I would say this year—I'm going to talk about this year, because my process has evolved quite a bit, and since I travel so much for shows and everything. Now it's important for me to have a couple more minds in the room, because I'm often really tired and I need to be able to bounce off ideas and jar my memory and energy.

So a lot of times I'll have other writers and producers in the room, and I will kind of go off of a feeling, you know, that I've been going through. I've been watching politics a lot lately and while I do try to ground myself, I pay attention. I'm also being super empathetic to everything. I usually will have these ideas or a sonic palette from songs that I've heard, and then I try to  show the examples [to my collaborators].

It usually comes from this the music first because I love production, I love music. I love the actual music before lyrics. So I will usually try to find a bit of sound first, and then then it goes into, 'what was I feeling,' you know? 

iHR: And you've had quite a few big collaborations, like the one you did with Sunday Scaries, or the recent one with Tchami and Malaa. How did those come to be and what was that production process like?

KZ: So with Sunday Scaries, one of my closest friends, Adam Novodor. He actually introduced us. He sent me the track first. And he was like, Hey, would you want to sing this? And I was like, I don't know, because I'm really trying to make sure that, in this day and age, that I'm the focal point for my own project. And because I've done a ton of features. But there's something about this song that made me think 'this is sick,' and then I recorded it, and I started playing it on my sets. Then we recorded together and now we've actually had a really fun little friendship created from that.

For Tchami and Malaa, actually last year they played my song "Vibration" during their Coachella set, and I posted about it and Tchami offered to work with me and I was like, 'oh my god.' And then after it took, maybe eight months for us to actually work together between traveling and him living in a different country. He was really nice because he wanted to take the time to listen to my music in real time. So we got to FaceTime together and listen to ideas and discuss what we're both shooting for.

I really love when a producer and a DJ are really interested in me as a person, and what my message is, instead of just being like, 'Hey, can you sing on my track?' I think that's way important for collaborations. So that's kind of how it started, and then I created a top line over here, and then sent it, and then he loved it and finished the track. 

iHR: That's awesome. And I love that you had a little bit more creative control over the message.

KZ: Yeah, in this day and age, I really don't do songs if anyone's not interested in me as an artist. 

iHR: So Chicago is the birthplace of house music, and I noticed that you played at Chicago pride this year. What was that experience like, being at the forefront of a black and queer genre? 

KZ: I feel like house music was created by a lot of queer, brown people. I think it's evolved so much so I don't know if I experienced that there? Instead it was everybody, and everyone, every all different types of races. And everyone was very enthusiastic. And I wouldn't know necessarily if they are influenced by house music, but they definitely loved it. Also, the bill had JoJo Siwa on it, so it was very youthful and young. I'm not sure how in touch they are, even with their own culture there in Chicago, but I do know that it was like nothing I've ever felt in a crowd. 

iHR: I've noticed this kind of shift with the rise of artists like, Chappell Roan, for example, that are kind of really bringing queerness and queer stories into the forefront of music, and not just in pop music. But I'm curious, how has that cultural shift been to see as another queer artist, and how do you hope to see this go even deeper in the future?

KZ: What I think is nice about Chappell Roan is that she is bringing a very specific culture to the forefront of gay culture, and that's lesbian and women-focused dialog being queer, because we're very much getting over the hurdle of [only including] a gay man's experience.

I feel like lesbians are always like, pushed in this bubble, and as a result, you don't even have that many parties or events related to us, everything is just gay, you know? It's like, 'where even am I in that?' It's really nice that even with Billie Eilish coming out, it's so important for more female or female-presenting, non-binary people to to talk about their experiences and their love experiences, because it's been so male focused. 

iHR: That's a good point. How do you hope to see that bleed into electronic music? 

KZ: Well, I think it just takes more [representation]. There's J Worra, there's Sherelle, there's quite a few artists who are pretty open about their their sexuality. I mean, my biggest thing around what I'm trying to do in my dance sphere is that I'm trying to bring visuals to it. So I may not necessarily be talking about my sexuality, but I just me existing. I have a lot of I do a lot of interviews talking about being queer.

So it's like me existing. Sometimes I even hear people say 'Dude, it's so great that you're queer, woman, black woman in this space, and you're getting the shot that you're getting,' so I think that alone helps. I want to collaborate with all these queer people. That would be the best way to bring it forth, but just existing and being, having them on the bills and and having promoters and people still just know who they are, I think that's, that's the biggest step.

iHR: That's awesome. So with that being said, let's talk about your upcoming show at Das Energi. What can we expect from that show? 

KZ: It's gonna be a lot of soul. I like to play a little bit heavy when I'm doing festivals. So bass house mixed with my own sound and Chicago house. 

iHR: Will you be teasing any new music?

KZ: I'm gonna play two new songs. I have a song with Tchami coming up again in September. It's called "Daddy Keeps Calling," and this time I will be leading it, and it's going to be on my EP Glorified that's coming on October. And then I have another song called "Burn It Down," which comes out in a few weeks. 

iHR: What does festival fashion mean to you?

KZ: Well, it means 'how can I stay the coolest and look cool' so I usually wear a button up. Maybe it's a print, because prints are always something. You can come to a festival and look cool and they look cool in pictures. And depending on the venue and the weather, like, I have really cool shorts.

That's funny that you asked that, because I think when I started touring two years ago, I was always worried so much about how to be dressed up. And then I realized I'm just enough, you know? A lot of DJs—specifically male DJs—never dress up, you know, they're always in basics. So I keep asking myself 'how do I bring that mentality to being a woman?'

It is nice, obviously, when you do have the woman who does love to dress up, but that's by their choice. It's also an interesting question about what people gravitate towards to. But yeah, I just, I decided that I was enough, and then if you don't like what I'm wearing, then then you're not my fan base. 

iHR: Yeah, I've personally gone through phases where I've tried to really dress up, but I ultimately just gravitate towards comfort and I just enjoy being there more than dressing up, but I love seeing other people dress up. 

KZ: Yeah, one thing I noticed too is if you work out, you feel good, and you have some sort of personal health routine, then that shows and then whatever you're wearing—your confidence, your attitude—ust kind of comes through your clothes.

iHR: Totally. So my last question is, if you made a piece of Kandi today, what would it say?

KZ: I would have it say Namaste. Before music took off, I wanted to be a yoga instructor. Even now, when I leave a situation, or, you know, even in the conversation, sometimes I just go 'namaste' like you know, 'everything's good.'

We caught up with Mary Droppinz to talk about her new single "GiGi," which was inspired by that mission to find a closer connection to your body and roots, and about her passion for harm reduction within the rave scene. 

savormeditation: Tell us a bit about your new single "GiGi" - what was the production process and inspiration?

Mary Droppinz: I’m currently really inspired by baile and Brazilian vocals so that’s really where this all started. Drums & vocals always, and I have been messing around with sound healing instruments at home so had some subtle layers of song pods to get me going in a deeper rooted flow. I then worked with my homies Player Dave and Danny Golinger to really dial this energy in, couldn’t have picked better production partners they are gangster as fuck.

iHR: The track is about connecting to your deeper roots and ancestry. Can you describe what that experience has been like for you?

MD: It’s been epic honestly. I’ve lived a more natural focused lifestyle and I am the happiest I’ve ever been. I am very conscious about the water I drink being natural spring water and really going back to raw human nature so GiGi for me was experimenting with that grass roots grass fed energy.

iHR: The track came out on HARD Records, how did that come to be?

MD: My team sent it over to HARD and they immediately signed it.

iHR: You recently finished your "Cycle" tour - what was that experience like?

MD: Insane, I've truly met so many amazing people and felt such beautiful crowd energy. I am truly blessed to be cultivating such a dope community open to all vibes and about genuine good times.

iHR: Tell us about some of your upcoming shows. Which ones are you most excited for?

MD: Ohhh I am freaking stoked for Burning Man, it’s my first time.

iHR: You're pretty outspoken about harm reduction in the rave scene. Can you describe what that means for you?

MD: I want everyone to be able to go to the dance-floor completely care-free in a state of bliss with absolutely no worry or judgement in the world and leave safely forever enlightened with love from the vibes period. Safe & fun experiences matter to me.

iHR: What are some elements of harm reduction that are often overlooked in the rave scene?

MD: I just think on the individual personal level, everyone can really take a deeper introspective look and see if they are safely partying or not and if they can level up in their life to bring forth their higher self to these events, when we all vibrate high together it truly hits different

iHR: If you made a piece of Kandi today, what would it say?

MD: MOTHER

This is all you need to know about afters!

Backstage Baddie Reflective Cutout Top

party girl faux leather set outfit

Where To Find Events

There are many types of afters; ravey afters, club afters, and even unofficial afters like ones that are run by attendees. Depending on what kind of event and music you enjoy, there will always be events that will suit your preferences! Once you know what kind of event you want to attend for the afters, the vibes can be different wherever you go.

Official Afterparty Events

If you’re attending a major festival, many times, there will be official afterparties hosted by the promoters or company running the main event. The best way to find out about these afters is to follow the events’ social media and go to the official site.

These events will usually be announced ahead of time, so if you’re planning on attending the festival, it’s always good to secure tickets to after party events! Securing your ticket ahead of time will make sure that if there are big headliners at the afters, you won’t need to scramble to find tickets on the way out of the festival.

Hot Girls Listen To Techno Cropped Baby Tee

catch me in the vip set outfit

Club Events

In almost every city, there are tons of cool clubs and venues to check out. Even if clubs aren’t hosting official afterparty events, heading to a club after a festival is always a fun move and you can bring the afterparty vibes to the club!

These venues are more strict and can sometimes be upscale compared to regular raves. If you love to dress up and dance all night, maybe even get a table with your friends, the club afters are the perfect option. 

Unofficial afters

If you're looking for more laid back afters just to chill with friends, there are many events and self organized plans that can be hosted anywhere, like at a hotel or public place, such as a bar or restaurant. There are also so many events that are held by smaller promoters in the area that can take place in crazy places, such as in warehouses and smaller venues.

A great way to find out about local events and afters is to use platforms like Resident Advisor which you can filter by city and see all the events and how to get in. Using social media is also a great way to find events, like Radiate and Facebook and checking out groups and groupchats where festival goers chat all about different plans!

Unisex Go Crazy Headbanger Ultra Crop Top

How To Prepare for Afters

Depending on where you decide to go for the afters, it’s always good to plan ahead.

Venue rules

If you’ve picked going to an official venue for the afters, make sure you always read ahead of time on rules! One rule to check for sure is the age limit. There might be afters that are 21+ or 18+, and depending on where you’re coming from and who you’re with, it’s always important to check the age limit. Another rule to check is the prohibited list and dress code.

Usually, for official afterparties the crowd is coming straight from the festival so the vibes will be similar and also the venues are more laid back when it comes to dress code and bag policies.For clubs, the dress policies can be more strict and festival attire might not be allowed. You don’t want to end up stuck outside the afters so definitely check out the websites for these venues! 

See You At The Afters Distressed Top

Check the set times

There are many afters that start before the festival even ends and because of this, there might be DJs that you want to see that start earlier. So make sure you check the set times and socials of your favorite DJs to get the up to date news about the afters.

Some events also offer free entry before a certain time and if that is something you want to do and don’t mind leaving the festival early, that is another thing to keep in mind. There might also be a rush of people leaving the festival so make sure to take that into account for when you’re heading to the event and plan accordingly!

Sister Sister Crop Top

Securing rides

Afters start as soon as the festival ends, and sometimes even earlier! If you’re planning on going to the afters, it’s always important to make sure you know where they are and how to get there, especially if you’re still buzzed when the festival ends.

Make sure that you designate a driver or coordinate for rideshare. If you’re lucky, sometimes the afters will be at the same venue or super close. Planning for rides is super helpful, especially if you’re attending a festival out of town.

Find a crew!

Not everyone is built for the afters but finding a squad who is ready for anything is super fun and will make the vibes at the afters full of energy. If you’re someone who doesn’t have a big group or attends festivals solo, it’s 100% okay to head to the afters alone also. You’ll be sure to meet amazing ravers at the afters who want to keep the vibes going all night long.

Just make sure that if you’re alone, you take the precautions for getting around and to the afters safely! Using social media platforms is also a great way to connect with other ravers if you’re looking to meet new people so check them out.

Come prepared

Afters can feel like another festival in and of itself so it’s always nice to make sure you head to them prepared. Some venues allow you to show up in your festival attire and with your bag which is great.

Since many afters take place later in the night, depending on where you’re going, it can be chilly, especially if it’s outdoors or in the winter so bring a jacket or a hoodie or even a pashmina! Some other nice to haves for afters include gum, a hand fan in case it’s super hot inside the venue, earplugs, and of course, the best vibes!

Whether you're a seasoned festival queen or a newbie ready to dive into the vibrant world of raving, dressing like a wook is the ultimate way to combine comfort and style for a true slaye. So buckle up, babes, and let's explore the magical realm of wook style!

What is a Wook?

First things first, let's spill the tea on what a wook actually is. A wook is a free-spirited, nature-loving, and often whimsical individual who embraces the eclectic and psychedelic side of life. These festival fairies are all about good vibes, positive energy, and dancing the night away under the electric sky. Think of them as the unicorns of the rave community, spreading glitter and good vibes wherever they go.

Wook Style Guide:

• Pashminas
• Trippy Prints
• Bold Colors
• Comfort First
• Rainbow

What Festivals Do Wooks Love?

Now that you're clued in on wook vibes, it's time to figure out where these magical creatures love to flutter their festival wings. Electric Forest, Suwannee Hulaween, and Shambhala Music Festival are the holy trinity of wook wonderlands. These festivals are a kaleidoscope of colors, sounds, and good vibes, making them the perfect playgrounds for wooks to let loose and showcase their fabulous fashion.

How to Dress Like a Wook:

The first thing to remember about dressing like a Wook is that it's all about blending comfort and style. Wooks are very laidback, and they don't want to be uncomfortable while they get trippy. 

Pashminas

Wrap yourself in the cozy embrace of a pashmina, darling! Wooks adore these silky scarves not only for their fashionable flair but also for the comfort they provide during those chilly festival nights. Opt for bold patterns, tie-dye explosions, or shimmering metallics to truly channel your inner wook.

Trippy Prints

Wooks are all about turning heads, and nothing does that better than trippy prints! Whether it's a pair of wild leggings, a vibrant bodysuit, or a mesmerizing kimono, go all out with psychedelic patterns that scream, "I'm here to party and look fabulous doing it!"

Viper Vision Harem Pants

Nostalgia Fringe Bikini Outfit

Acid Storm Outfit

Bold Colors

Wook fashion is all about embracing the rainbow, so don't be shy when it comes to colors. Mix and match bold hues like neon greens, electric blues, and fiery reds to create an eye-catching ensemble that radiates positive vibes from head to toe.

Get Trippy Dress Outfit

Comfort First

No need to sacrifice comfort for style, honey! Wooks know how to dance all night without missing a beat, and you can too. Opt for flowy fabrics, loose-fitting clothes, and comfy shoes to keep you grooving from sunset to sunrise.

Neon Nostalgia Cutout Outfit

Rainbow

When in doubt, add a rainbow! Wooks adore the full spectrum of colors, and incorporating rainbow elements into your outfit is a foolproof way to embrace the wook aesthetic. Rainbow wings, rainbow accessories, or even a rainbow-hued wig – the options are as limitless as your imagination.

Neon Abyss Tie Dye Bell Bottom Leggings

There you have it, lovelies! Your ultimate Wook Fashion Guide straight from the experts. See you on the dance floor, babe! ✨💖🌈

savormeditation loves to spread female-empowerment across the scene and support female DJs that keep our dance floor alive (with inclusivity)! Here to inspire you to always support women in electronic dance music, groove your way to the dance floor and experience these three major headlining female acts on this year’s lineup. 

Whipped Cream

Bass riffs. Cinematic soundscapes. This is Whipped Cream. This Toronto born figure-skater-turned-producer is determined to distinguish her sound like none other. Driven by cinema, hip-hop, and electronica, 2024 warrants a look inside her new creative lease to be seen as a songwriter and vocalist. Whipped Cream shows no limits as she never succumbs to creative stagnation which has caused the latest release of her new EP, is this real?.

This album underlines her most authentic self; take a listen and hopefully she’ll mix your favorite track from the album! Gracing stages with her presence around the world like Coachella and Tomorrowland, it’s your chance to witness her in real-time at Bass Camp VII! 

Top your sundae with Whipped Cream and catch her performance on Sunday, July 29 at the Main Stage at 5:30pm. 

Color.Love (Live)

Color.Love is the luster in every rainbow spread across the EDM scene as a live performance artist incorporating a vocal effects processor, Roland TR8 drum machine, and an RC505 Looper. At 18, the “Fall Back” DJ-producer devoted herself to pursuing her dreams of becoming a full-time DJ while studying music production and sound design at Point Blank in Los Angeles, California.

Buying her first turntables at this same age paved her way to “collect sounds from the world”. Recently based in Ibiza, this prowess of a sound engineer is widely praised for performing an exclusive live set at Desert Hearts Festivals at the LA Coliseum showcasing only original new music. If you’ve never heard of this rare artist before and enjoy house music, check out Color.Love’s latest release “Like a Groove”. 

Take a walk on the wild side and explore Color.Love’s live instrumentation performance at The Dancetronauts Bass Station Stage on Saturday, July 27 at 4pm.

Baby Weight

Nominated as “Breakthrough DJ of the Year” in 2023 by DJ Mag, this Washington D.C. based “House Princess”, Baby Weight has demonstrated her genre-bending talent and advocacy as a trans artist. The Chub Rub indie record label co-founder is well-known for her first Beatport #1 release “Rave Police”. 

Because of Baby Weight’s versatility in her sound, she has earned support from artists VNSSA, Chris Lorenzo, and Walker & Royce preparing her to perform at popular festivals like Dirtybird Campout. Recognized as “resolutely anti-bullshit and pro fun”, Baby Weight appears on LP Giobbi Presents FEMME HOUSE with singles “Inner Voice” and “House Princess'' which was featured on Calvin Klein’s 2022 Pride campaign. Prepare for a house set like none other and plug-in to give your ears a preview with “Reading” featured on Mija’s label Never B Alone.

You can find Baby Weight owning the dance floor at The Dancetronauts Bass Station Stage on Saturday, July 27 at 6pm. 

This is your sign to plan your Bass Camp VII performance schedule! Check out the full lineup and set times here. 

Free Spirit Tie Dye Bell Bottoms Outfit

You are so much more than an attendee.

The word transformational implies transformation, which already gives away one of the more sacred parts of these experiences. Conversely to mainstream music festivals, the focus isn’t on the music and the lineup. These things certainly play a part but transformational festivals emphasize the more interactive parts of the festival that promote participation and ignite inspiration. Transformational festivals offer an immersive experience that encompasses everything from workshops, talks, activities, parties, meetings and really anything you can imagine. You’re not just an attendee but rather a participant in the whole experience.

At transformational festivals you’re encouraged to try new things and express yourself, creating new trains of thought that give you a fresh perspective on the world and your life. Leave your inhibitions at the door and just let the festival take you on a wondrous journey. They are truly life-altering experiences that will stay with you forever.

Neon Nostalgia Cutout Outfit

There is no VIP treatment.

Everyone is considered a participant at transformational festivals, and this is what really brings everyone together as a community. Everything you see at these festivals has been created and brought to life by someone at the event. It could be anyone, and each participant has an opportunity to showcase a talent or to add to the festival space. This even applies to the music, more often than not artists at transformational festivals are not being paid to play, they are there to share their skill and passion. Some festivals even require them to buy their ticket and pay for their trip. Everyone is treated equally, you won’t find any VIP treatment at these festivals.

Eternal Sleep Outfit

Experience new-age sustainability.

Most transformational festivals are non-profit, which is one the main things that sets them apart from conventional music festivals. Many of them start off as small gatherings hosted by like-minded individuals, and eventually grow into more substantial events. Usually, they operate without sponsors and rely on the revenue made on ticket sales to organize the whole event.

They are also renowned for pushing the boundaries of capitalism by creating their own economy and functioning ecosystem. Some festivals host independent vendors on-site, but others use a gifting economy which essentially means that nothing is sold at the event. All participants therefore have to come to the festival with everything they need to survive. This encourages participants to form genuine connections with one another and show them how to function outside of societal standards and rules.

Vibrant Vortex Outfit

Feel like you’re going home.

All transformational festivals are held outdoor in remote or rural areas. Depending on which one you attend, you could find yourself on a beach, on a desert, in a jungle or a forest. These festival sites promote a return to nature, creating a safe space where participants feel empowered, can be themselves and be happy. Take a journey back to the roots, soaking in all the goodness and purity that nature has to offer.

Badinka Pulsar Shrug Outfit

Go on a life-changing journey.

The workshops and activities are an incremental part of transformational festivals and this is something that really sets them apart from most mainstream festivals. Your mind, body and even soul will be stimulated in new ways in workshops that you’ll have never heard before! And that’s the beautiful thing about these workshops is that you’ll gain knowledge in new things that you can take home with you.

People at these festivals are very friendly and open-minded, it’s the perfect space to really let go and discover new skills and try new experiences. And if you have special talent or skill, you’ll have an opportunity to showcase it and teach it to other participants.

Does that all sound really exciting and enticing? Check out these transformational festivals which are all definitely worth visiting at least once in your lifetime:

• Burning Man
• Shambala Gathering
• BOOM Festival
• Lightning in a Bottle
• Beloved Festival

Leave bad vibes at home

That guy who won't text you back? That friend who hurt you? Your boss? Stop thinking about them. Cut off that person you're in the situationship with and buy some flights and festival tickets. Any feral girl knows to check her bad vibes at the door for the weekend and enjoy herself. Your purse is too small to carry all of that baggage anyway. 

Hot Girls Listen To Techno Outfit

Stay hydrated

I get it, the energy is electric and you’re ready to rage, but don’t forget to take care of your body. Stay hydrated, babes! Keep a water bottle on you and take sips between sets. Trust me, your future self will thank you. Being hydrated keeps you in the game longer. Vodka sodas kind of count though. Get creative with it. 

iHR x Rolita Couture Mystery Planet Fusion Outfit

Dance on any elevated surface

The stage, a table, a truck bed, the roof? There's just something about being elevated above the crowd that feels so much more unhinged, but in a good way. Feral girls cannot be contained to just the dance floor. 

Liya Kitten x iHR Kandi Land Bow Outfit

Hit the afters 

Afters are a way of life. In most cities, the afters are where you're going to find some of the best music and some of the most unique venues. We're not talking about doing afters in someone's apartment—we're talking about those warehouse parties that go all night long and don't stop. 

Bass On My Mind Outfit

Ride the rail

Raving is just better up there. Get a hydration pack and prepare to rage the night away at the rail. If you want to feel the music deep into your soul, the rail is just where you have to be. I've seen lives change on the rail. The rail is a way of life. 

Nostalgia Fringe Bikini Outfit

Get three olives 

It's time to get into hot girl drinks, and trust me when I say that a dirty martini with precisely three olives is the ultimate hot girl drink. Why three olives? I don't know, but when you get it that way, you'll get it. Feral girl tip: find hydration and electrolyte balance with 1 dirty martini to 3 vodka sodas. 

Sunflowerraver x iHR I'm Sensitive Bodysuit Outfit

Go on a solo adventure

Sure it's "important" to stay with your rave fam, but going on a solo adventure is food for the soul. Feed your inner feral rat girl by spending some time solo at the rave. Dance with new people, make some new friends, and explore the venue to soak it all in. 

SLANDER x iHR Electric Edge Reflective Outfit

Bring nail glue

I measure a good night out by how many nails I lose. I wear press-on nails and I can guarantee that I'll lose at least one on a good night, and up to four on a great night. I pack nail glue in my purse to reapply if I manage to find one. If the nail is meant to come back to you, it will. Plus there is no bigger serve than giving yourself a manicure on the dance floor. 

Dance To The Riddim Skull Outfit

Wear two outfits

One outfit is to take photos in, another is to rage in. You know how sometimes you want to style the perfect rave fit but you know that it won't be comfortable to rage in? We've all been there. Pack a t-shirt in a bag and put it in a locker so you can rage without worrying about your look, and put all of your accessories in the locker after you change to outfit 2. 

Los Angeles

Yoi Toki: A Future Funk/Vaporwave Party

Throwback Summer Fest Long Beach

Brunch Elektronik: Day To Night 

4th of July Party At Skybar At Mondrian

Koncept Presents: After The Park (Afterlife)

Voltij x Technofama Reunite Present: Teenage Mutants

Minimal Effort x Koncept: Agents of Time

Sunflowerraver x iHR I'm Sensitive Bodysuit Outfit

San Diego

Liquid Sunshine: Hard Rock Rooftop Pool Party

Summertime Radness: Jai Wolf

Deep Tech on the Bay 19

Drippy Pool Club x AfroPanda

Bou

Echoes Test Fest San Diego

Sunflowerraver x iHR I'm Sensitive Fishnet Underboob Outfit

San Francisco Bay Area

Dancing Queen: ABBA Glitter Disco San Francisco 

Princess: Spongebob 25 Years Bikini Party

Toasted Life 4th of July Wknd Block Party

Mira Presented by Public Works

Ae:ther

Slander x iHR Feeling Good Slander Cropped Outfit

Seattle

Vol. 10 with DJ Shannon

Routine: Young Singh

Las Vegas

Discopussy Presents: Nala

Backstage Girlie Keyhole Cutout Outfit

Denver

The Grave

Deadbeats at Red Rocks - July 2-3

Chicago

DJ Seinfeld

4th of July Edition of the Sky Affair House - Rooftop Party 

Rolita Couture x iHR Floral Frenzy Punk Princess Outfit

Texas

Agents of Time 

Ben UFO

Dillon Francis b2b Good Times Ahead 

New Orleans

Techno Club Presents: We Love Techno 2.0

Essence Festival All White Boat Party

Pure Euphoria Rainbow Reflective Outfit

Minneapolis/St. Paul

Turno (360 Set) 

Miami

Genix at La Otra

Made in Miami Pool Party

Dance to the Riddim Skull Outfit

Tampa

Burn and Boom at Tampa Bay

Atlanta

ATL House Heads Picnic

Washington DC:

Black Loops B2B Demi Riquísimo

Marie Davidson DJ Set

Flash of July

Sunday Love

New York

Fourth World Year 10

Turno at Big Drum & Bass Party

Mister Sunday

Firework Fantasies 

Boston

July 4 Boat Cruise w/Goldfish 

Lavern 

Matroda Boat Cruise

Madeon Boat Cruise

Festival season is here, and you know what that means – it’s time to flood your feed with those perfect pics that scream, “I’m living my best life!” But getting that ultimate festival photo isn’t just about pointing and shooting. Today we're spilling our secrets to snapping those envy-inducing festival shots. 📸✨

Sunflowerraver x iHR I'm Sensitive Cutout Bodysuit

Lighting: Golden Hour is Best

First things first, let’s talk lighting. The secret sauce? Golden hour. It’s that magical time just after sunrise or before sunset when the light is soft, golden, and oh-so-flattering. Think of it as nature’s filter, giving you that perfect glow without the need for heavy editing. Plan your snaps around these times, and thank me later. 🌅✨

A Good Photographer: Find Your Photo BFF

Now, you can’t be out here with just any random snapping your pics. You need a photo BFF – someone who gets your angles, knows your vibe, and is down to take a million shots until you get that perfect one. Bonus points if they’re also into getting some awesome pics for themselves, so it’s a win-win situation. 📸❤️

Happy Hour Carnival Outfit

Poses: Keep It Natural or Candid

Okay, let’s talk poses. The key is to keep it natural or go for those candid shots. No one wants to see you stiffly posing like it’s a high school yearbook photo. Laugh, dance, jump – do whatever feels natural. Pro tip: fake laugh if you have to. It might feel awkward, but it often leads to genuine smiles and laughs. 😂💃

Genie Dust Outfit

Props: Use Them Wisely

Props can take your festival photos from meh to magical. Got a cool totem, funky glasses, or a yummy festival snack? Use them! Props add personality and tell a story. Wave that flag, sip that drink, or munch on that food – just make sure it feels authentic to your festival experience. 🥤🎉

Background: Find the Perfect Spot

Your background can make or break your festival photo. Look for spots that are visually interesting – think colorful murals, scenic views, or even the main stage. Avoid cluttered backgrounds unless you’re going for that chaotic festival vibe. Remember, you want your background to enhance your photo, not distract from it. 🎨🌸

Acid Storm Outfit

Editing: Experiment and Find Your Style

Finally, editing. This is where you can really make your photos pop. Experiment with different styles until you find one that you love. Whether it’s bright and vibrant, moody and dark, or somewhere in between, the right editing can transform a good photo into a great one. Apps like VSCO, Lightroom, and even Instagram’s built-in editor are your best friends here. ✨

To help you, here are our top tips for how to stay comfortable at raves so you can party safer and for longer.

Stay Hydrated

When you’re in the crowd and in direct sunlight you end up getting dehydrated much faster. To combat this, make sure you’re drinking plenty of water. Even if you’re not feeling thirsty, just consciously take a few sips every now and again. 

Get your hands on a rave hydration backpack so you can fill up on water and not need to leave the crowd to refresh yourself. Look out for free water booths scattered around the rave! 

Sunflowerraver x iHR I'm Sensitive Cutout Bodysuit Outfit

Take Breaks

My rave friends and I call them ‘Boogie Breaks’! When we start to feel a little tired we like to exit the crowd, find a place to lay down, have a catch up on what we’ve seen so far and maybe even meet some new rave friends.

Rave responsibly and always listen to your body, don’t push it beyond its limits or you might run into the risk of needing to visit the medic tent or leave early. If you need a break to recharge, don't be afraid to say so!

Remember to Eat

Would you go to the gym on an empty stomach? Well, the same goes for raves. Dancing is as much a sport, it burns so much of your energy!

Fueling your body will assure you can stay at your peak levels of fun. Even if you’re not feeling hungry, on your next break just pass by a food vendor and grab a snack or smoothie, your body will thank you.

Happy Hour Carnival Outfit

Opt for Comfortable Rave Wear

Wear light, comfortable and breathable rave wear. The secret is to stay away from anything itchy, that’s distracting or would prevent you from having fun.

We’re constantly updating our massive range of rave fashion. All of our designs are on-trend and functional, so you can look flawless but also be comfortable at the same time.

The Same Goes for Footwear

Your choice of footwear is just as important as your outfit. Be sure to wear a pair that are the right size for your feet so you don’t get blisters and also wear closed-toed shoes to protect your feet from something that may fall or stomp on them.

Discover our collection of must-have rave shoes! From flats to platforms, and everything in between, you’ll be sure to find a pair that’ll keep you dancing all night long.

Pack the Essentials

Here are some other items that help me stay comfortable at rave and that I never leave home without. They’re all small and easy to pack, they’ll easily fit in that new hydration pack of yours:

• Earplugs
• A big handheld fan
• Sunglasses
• Sun Protection
• Hand sanitizer
• Face mask

Now that you’re ready to take on any rave, check out some of our other posts to get inspo for your outfits and your makeup!

The main thing that sets EDC apart from other festivals is the crazy production and extent to which Insomniac, the production company behind EDC, decks out the festival. For the whole weekend, it feels like you’re stepping into a different universe. The art and production at EDC never misses, so here is a guide for some of the art to expect at EDC!

Photo: Julianna Bernstein

Stages

One of many ravers’ favorite parts about EDC is the stages and their design. EDC is iconic for having a huge main stage called kineticField that features a giant sculpture-like design, decorated with beautiful rainbow lights and lasers. Besides the main stage, there are plenty of other stages that have their own crazy production and designs, like circuitGrounds, which usually always has lots of LED screens, which are great for those who appreciate visuals in sync with the music.

These are just two of the many stages at EDC; there are so many stages, usually one for pretty much every sub-genre of EDM, like bassPod for those who love headbanging, quantumValley for those that want to vibe with the euphoric music of trance, neonGarden for the techno and house heads, and many more. 2024 will also bring a new stage called bionicJungle with a curated lineup of house artists. 

On top of the larger stages, there are lots of art cars roaming around that are decorated with their own theme and style as well, and are always fun to dance around while passing by to other stages or to other parts of the festival.

Photo: Insomniac Events

Art Installations

Along with the amazing stage design and music played at these stages, there are tons of other parts of EDC to enjoy. This festival has tons of art installations throughout the festival that are great places for photo ops, meet-up spots, and overall great pieces of art to appreciate. The best part about EDC is that since it takes place throughout the night, the lights and art are a bright contrast against the dark sky. These massive 3D superstructures look even better at night and many of them are interactive. Make sure to take some time to explore the many art scattered throughout the festival.

Photo: Keiki Lani-Knudson

EDC Dancers and Performers

Something that took many ravers by surprise at EDC were the dancers and performers that walked through the festival. Some of them are circus performers walking around on stilts, some are playing with fire on some art structures and flying through the sky on trampolines. The performers just add another layer of creativity to the festival and the whimsical characters and dancers will make you feel like you are part of another world.

Photo: Insomniac Events

Downtown EDC

One of the newer additions to EDC is a part called Downtown EDC. This part of the festival features chill spots and funky bars that have various themes to them, such as a Mini Bar where all the furniture and cups were mini, a Tokyo-style karaoke bar, and some that have live performers and dancers at. Walking around Downtown EDC, you truly appreciate how much creativity and art is put into the festival, especially the little things outside of the music and stages.

Photo: Insomniac Events

Headliners

At EDC, the headliners, aka the DJs and artists performing at EDC, are one of the biggest parts of the art in the musical form. Each day, there are some of the biggest and most talented DJs playing on all of the stages. You can expect a wide variety of musical styles and genres and many of them have crazy visuals displayed on screen, along with laser and light shows that go with the music.

On top of the music, one of the biggest features that sets EDC apart from other festivals is the fireworks show that occurs each night during the music. Across the whole venue, there are hundreds of fireworks that go off throughout the sky and it is one of the prettiest sights during EDC. They recently added light up drones along with the firework show and it is honestly one of many ravers’ favorite parts about EDC.

Photo: Calder Wilson for Insomniac

You get to catch your favorite artist and enjoy the firework and light show all at once! And of course, the most important headliner is you! This is one of EDC’s quotes that what makes this festival different from others is the strong community that takes place at this festival. Each and every raver brings their own creativity and uniqueness to the festival, whether it is your dance style, your totem or flag, how you decorate your campsite, kandi- whatever it is, the passion that each raver brings to EDC is what makes this festival special. You really feel welcomed at EDC and it’s a place for self-expression alongside with other ravers who have the same passion.

Out of all of the festivals that take place here, EDC is a must for all ravers, new and seasoned. Every year is a different theme and every year it’s a different experience. You don’t want to miss out on it this year; you can get tickets here and there are still camping options available, as well as shuttle passes from the strip that will go on sale soon. Don’t miss out on EDC, where you can rave from Dusk till Dawn!

As a household name in electronic dance music, the “Shake What Ya Mama” producer plans to contribute more of his no-boundaries-outlook and personal artistic vision of house music among the scene and share the togetherness of community among his fan base this year. This tech-house-shooting-star accomplished new levels of recognition in 2023 such as reaching millions of streams and headlining debut performances at festivals he once dreamed of like Tomorrowland 2023. 

This next musical chapter in his discography has become quintessential to him like the essence of water. Inspired and elated to share what is to come, I, Mary Mason, at savormeditation had the privilege to interview Bleu Clair about the album art and meaning behind “Underwater” as well as his ever-evolving relationship to house music. 

iHR: Thank you so much for your time and congratulations on your newest release, “Underwater”! Despite your irresistible use of basslines and percussion in this track, the lyrics allude to vulnerability and fear; with the fear, it causes one to seek refuge to hide, “try to breathe underwater”. What inspired you to produce these lyrics that feel universal? 

Bleu Clair: Thank you for having me! I just found that vocal sample on Splice, and I fell in love with how it sounds and the lyrics during the first listen. But, the original sample’s BPM was quite different and I had to do a lot of processing on that vocal. Nonetheless, I’m really happy with the outcome. 

iHR: The album cover art for “Underwater” contains the Bleu Label stamp that reads: “New Age of House Music”. Can you tell us what this “New Age of House Music” means to you? How do you want to further support this new age with your music or creative vision?

Bleu Clair: It’s a tag that I always put on my artwork, merch, and show flyers. It’s just that I feel like the house music scene has always been here for a long time and I love the genre a lot, but I wanted to try to do something new on it without sacrificing the main element of house music.

iHR: If I’m not mistaken, you’re the second DJ (other than Angger Dimas) from Indonesia to tour in the US. How would you like to see the EDM scene give more representation and inclusivity to DJs from different backgrounds? 

Bleu Clair: Yeah, and now we also have Papa Khan and Ootoro touring the States–I’m really proud of them. We feel like our music received more appreciation in the states compared to what we experience back home. But, it is understandable since dance music (especially house and dubstep like what Papa Khan is doing) is not the mainstream thing there. 

iHR: As a lover of tech house, it was a dream to experience your B2B set with San Pacho at Decadence Arizona 2023! You both made the crowd feel extremely special on the dance floor during New Year’s. How did that experience change your opinion or perception of B2B performances altogether? 

Bleu Clair: Thank you! That set was our second set together, and both of them are completely unplanned. Patrik is a good friend and very talented producer, so we just play what we like, try to match the vibe with each other. Super happy with how it went though haha!

iHR: I’ve been a fan of your music since 2022 and you remain as one of my favorite tech house artists! Surprisingly enough, I was also listening to a lot of lo-fi, ambient electronica when I came across your track “Hyperspace”. What inspired you to collaborate with Teza Sumendra on this mellow, relaxing track that sounds different from the rest of your discography? I LOVE this genre-bending track by the way! 

Bleu Clair: I’ve always been a big fan of Teza and I think his singing is some of the best that I’ve ever heard. So, I sent him a couple demos, and he liked the hyperspace instrumental demo. Funny thing is: it only took around 15 minutes to record the whole vocal for that song. He works very quickly and efficiently.

iHR: Your fans absolutely love the groovy feel of your BLEUPRINT mixes! Do you feel as if you have more creative freedom to experiment with this side project? Also, would you ever want to experiment with an EDM subgenre outside of tech house? 

Bleu Clair: I always try to release as many unreleased tracks on BLEUPRINT mixes as possible just so I can test which tracks receive good feedback and which do not. Sometimes I also release some unreleased tracks I like from DJs. Yes, the first time I tried to make music on a laptop, I started making dubstep and bass music since I was really influenced by Skrillex at that time. I think it’s very possible for me to start producing other genres.

iHR: Being a food-enthusiast, you never shy away from sharing delicious posts of food paired with music updates on your Instagram. What is your favorite food to eat while you’re on tour? 

Bleu Clair: Local food in the city that I’m visiting! Everytime I visit a city I’ve never been to before, I always google “famous food spot in x city” before going there. 

iHR: Your evolving discography has been wonderful to follow! What is next in store for you this 2024?

For a more in-depth look at what ur sun, moon and rising have to do with ur rave fashion sense, check out our rave astrology series linked in each sign below. If it's not linked, come back around ur birthday when we release each new sign.

Aries - The Techno Baddie

Ur edgy af, babe, but you would never actually describe yourself that way. At the rave or festival you can probably be found at the techno stage, or leading ur rave fam to the next hottest artist. You enjoy attention and ur the life of the party, so when ur not dancing u might be talking to the headliner backstage. Or maybe u are the headliner—that's highly likely.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Leo, Gemini, Capricorn

Ur perfect festival: Ultra, Amsterdam Dance Event, Movement

Rave Astrology: Aries

After Hours Vinyl Outfit

Love Me Do Outfit

 Mind Games Checkered Outfit

Taurus - The VIP

You could not be bothered with anything that isn't luxury, and ur not afraid to say it. You know that splurging for VIP is worth it, and you won't settle for the struggle bus. It's not that it's beneath you, you just know that life is worth going all out for the things you love. Ur rave fam will find you lounging in VIP where you belong, sipping on top shelf cocktails in between sips of water or Liquid IV because you're not going to sacrifice a day to a hangover.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius

Ur perfect festival: Coachella, Groove Cruise, Tomorrowland

Rave Astrology: Taurus

Frolicking Fantasy Floral Sequin Outfit

Golden Hour Fringe Outfit

Lace Flowerfields Marabou Outfit

Gemini - The Socialite

Ur the life of the party, Gemini! You're both the star of the dance floor and the bar area because you're either captivating an audience with your dance skills or your social skills. You probably go out several times per week and thrive in social environments, but you're never tied down to a group for too long. You thrive in bold prints and exciting colors. The more eyes on u, the better! 

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Virgo, Capricorn, Aries

Ur perfect festival: EDC Las Vegas, Beyond Wonderland, Electric Forest

Rave Astrology: Gemini Szn

Shroomy Shimmer Marabou Outfit

Electric Ecstasy Marabou Outfit

Tripp Out Outfit

Trippy Time Acid Smiley Outfit

Cancer - The Button Pusher

U don't go to every event but when u do it's because u need to let out some emotions, Cancer. You've probably pushed the button at an Above & Beyond show at least once in ur life—or u at least know the power of Group Therapy. Maybe ur the rave mom of ur group but that's only because you want everyone to have a good time.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Virgo, Pisces, Aquarius

Ur perfect festival: Dreamstate, Second Sky, Lightning In A Bottle

Rave Astrology: Cancer

Rolita Couture x iHR Forever Angel Outfit

Sequin Sky Outfit

Recycled Fabric Nostalgia Outfit

Leo - The Content Creator

Ur the hottest person here, Leo, and u know it. Everything about you is perfect, from your outfit to your makeup to your attitude. People want to be around you, and ur content from this weekend is probably going to go viral on at least two social media platforms. U go to the rave to be seen, and that's ok, and if ur not onstage u should be.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Aries, Gemini, Scorpio

Ur perfect festival: HARD Summer, Coachella, Ultra Music Festival

Rave Astrology: Leo Szn

Voltage Vixen Outfit

Ignite My Fire Booty Outfit

Red Hot Raver Outfit

Flamin' Fiesta Outfit

Virgo - The Planner

Ur rolling up to the rave at precisely 9 pm ready to watch the sunset with ur rave fam before raging all night, Virgo. Maybe you planned the whole weekend trip, set up camp or brought the supplies that everyone else forgot. You had 4 outfit options for today but it's not because you went overboard, you're just always prepared for everything.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Leo, Scorpio, Capricorn

Ur perfect festival: Das Energi, Day Trip, Dirtybird Campout

Rave Astrology: Virgo Szn

Sugar Bomb Outfit

Ready to Party Outfit

She's The Moment Outfit

Libra - The Flirt

U either met ur rave bae at a festival or u somehow always meet someone at every event u go to, Libra. You're naturally charming and everyone seems to love you, and that earns you a lot of attention at raves and festivals. You love meeting new people but deep down ur looking for that rave bae for life that you can enjoy the moment with.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Gemini, Aquarius, Pisces

Ur perfect festival: Desert Hearts, Austin City Limits, Life Is Beautiful

Rave Astrology - Libra Szn

Rave Bombshell Outfit

Lover Girl Outfit

Drop The Beat Recycled Fabric Outfit

Scorpio - The People Watcher

There's something captivating about u, Scorpio. Ur not the center of attention but everyone loves u. You might be on the outside of the dance floor but that doesn't mean you're not having fun. In fact, you love taking in your surroundings and watching everyone else create memories that will last a lifetime.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Virgo, Pisces, Cancer

Ur perfect festival: EDC Las Vegas, Burning Man, Shambhala

Rave Astrology: Scorpio

Eternal Sleep Outfit

Witching Hour Fairy Outfit

iHR x Rolita Couture Super Wonky Splice Friction Outfit

Augmented Reality Reflective Outfit

Sagittarius - The Experimenter

Ur always trying new things, Sagittarius. Maube ur always trying a new cocktail or ur the one that encouraged the rave fam to travel to a new festival in a new place. When it comes to life, you want to try it all, see it all and do it all and the only thing ur afraid of is missing out. Ur probably at Burning Man, partying on an art car with a foreign billionaire, or ur at EDC raging to a genre u just learned about today.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Aries, Leo, Gemini

Rave Astrology: Sagittarius

Ur perfect festival: Tomorrowland, Burning Man, Zamna Festival

 Moonstone Pop Outfit

Midnight Sparkle Sequin Outfit

Woodland Fairy Outfit

Capricorn - The Celebrator

It took a lot to get u to take a weekend off of ur second side gig, Capricorn. Everyone knows u as a workaholic but u love it, so it's not like ur burned out. Ur probably at the rave because it's time to celebrate a big occasion, like a birthday or ur latest promotion. But don't let people mistake your workaholic nature, you love a good rave and know that life is about balance—meaning you'll work your ass off so you can shake your ass off.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Aries, Gemini, Taurus

Rave Astrology: Capricorn

Ur perfect festival: Day Trip, Life Is Beautiful, Outside Lands

Twinkleberry Whimsy Outfit

Pink Fizz Outfit

Love's A Mesh Outfit

Aquarius - The One Who Knows Everyone

There's always that one person in a group that seems to know literally everyone, and that's u, Aquarius. Wherever u go u seem to run into someone and everyone loves u. That's probably because ur easy to talk to and everyone feels safe around u. Maybe you'll spend the night having a deep talk with a longtime friend, or maybe some of your favorite festival memories happen late at night the campsite and not the dancefloor.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Libra, Sagittarius, Aries

Rave Astrology: Aquarius

Ur perfect festival: EDC Las Vegas, Ultra Music Festival, Lollapalooza

Rolita Couture x iHR Forever Angel Pixie Baby Doll Outfit

Swirly Sis Cutout Outfit

Sweet Serenade Outfit

Pisces - The One Letting Loose

Whatever is going on in ur life, ur not going to let that destroy this moment for u, Pisces. You're not riding the rail but you're probably in the middle of the dancefloor all night, letting loose and enjoying the moment. You feel ur emotions deeply, and that helps you connect to things like music and art when you can finally immerse yourself in it.

Signs in ur perfect rave fam: Cancer, Scorpio, Taurus

Rave Astrology: Pisces

Ur perfect festival: Beyond Wonderland, EDC Las Vegas, Camp Bisco

Dream Girl Outfit

Trance Vision Outfit

Deep Night Rainbow Reflective Outfit

We've got tons of great pieces to channel your inner Aries, and here are my top picks for those of you with Aries in your big three. If you don't have this fire sign in your big 3, though, don't worry. I'll be posting a new guide each month so keep an eye out for next month when I go over you rave babes with Taurus in your sun, moon, and rising.

Aries Sun

Happy birthday! With your sun in Aries you're never one to pass up a good party. You may not be the center of attention all of the time, but you know how to light up a dance floor with your fiery and fun-loving personality. Aries is a natural-born leader and isn't afraid to set trends, step out in the hottest pieces and express themselves in social situations. With your constant, burning desire to be bold, here are my top picks for you, Aries sun:

Love Me Do Outfit

Mind Games Checkered Outfit

Deep Night Rainbow Reflective Outfit

Aries Moon

You have desire burning deep inside of you, Aries moon. Depending on your sun/moon/rising combination, you're either not afraid to be the bold, daring person you are inside when you hit the festival or you're always wishing you could have the confidence to do more. If you have your sun or rising in a water or earth sign, you might always feel that the world doesn't know the real you.

Whether it's your style, your makeup, your dancing or your socializing I'm here to tell you that you can—no, you should give in to that deep desire to be dramatic and extravagant. Show them who you really are. Here are my top picks for you, Aries moon.

Lover Girl Outfit

Rad Romance With Charms Outfit

Aries Rising

You're living for today, Aries rising. You're all about the present moment and you're not afraid to express yourself—whether it's in your words or your creativity. You're probably the more adventurous leader of your rave fam, and you're always the one rallying to get closer to the rails (actually you might even already be on the rails). You're not afraid to take chances to get what you really want out of life, and your bold energy makes you a natural born trendsetter. You share a rising sign with Paris Hilton, after all. Here are my picks for you, Aries rising:

Tripp Out Outfit

Pink Fizz Outfit

Mushroom Fiesta Outfit

Not sure where your sun, moon and rising are in your chart? Check out this website that can give you everything you need to know.

Camping festivals can be really fun. Going on a road trip with your friends, setting up camp next to people that could likely become your new rave fam, and not having to worry about getting to and from your hotel for an entire weekend is something you just can't beat. But camping is hard, especially if you're not a veteran camper outside of the festival scene. After seven years of going to Burning Man—the week-long camping festival in the middle of a dry lake bed in Nevada—I've learned a secret or two about getting the most out of the experience. Here are my ten festival camping tips from a veteran burner:

Mushroom Fiesta Outfit

1. Stake your tent down

You would be surprised how powerful the wind can be. Staking your tent down is an easy step you can take to avoid coming back to camp at the end of the night only to find that your tent is gone. Odds are low that someone stole it, but high that it could have blown away. This happened to a friend of mine who brought a large dome tent to Coachella and forgot to stake it down. Don't be like him!

2. Bring baby wipes

You might not have access to a shower while you're at a camping festival. Even if it's just for a few days, all of that dancing and sweating will leave you feeling pretty gross after just a day. Freshen up with baby wipes in between showers to at least get the dirt and sweat off of you. Just don't drop them in the port-a-potties!

Deep Night Reflective Outfit

3. Be mindful of your waste

Burning man is a Leave No Trace festival, and while not every festival has adopted that same principal, it's a good idea to be mindful of how much waste you'll create while camping at a festival. Just in case you're stuck with a car full of trash bags on your way out, remove any excess packaging from things you're bringing with you before your arrival.

4. Bins > Suitcases

One of the easiest ways to pack a bunch of stuff without wasting space is to avoid using a suitcase and use a storage bin instead. For a three-day camping festival you'll probably be able to fit most of your things in a single bin, which can then stack easily in your car for easy packing. Plus, you don't have to worry about getting your suitcase dirty.

Electric Ecstasy Marabou Outfit

5. Be realistic about food

I've had years at Burning Man where I've brought too much food, and I've had years where I didn't bring enough food to last the week. Think realistically about how much you eat before you go grocery shopping for a camping festival, and maybe assume you'll eat a little bit less during the hustle of the weekend. Or, if there are food options available at the festival itself, maybe just stick to some snacks and avoid prepping meals altogether.

6. Bring tons of lights

Like...all kinds of lights. Some camping festivals can get pretty dark in the camping area. Dirtybird Campout, for example, doesn't always light the camping area after it gets dark. Bring a flashlight to keep in your bag, or a headlamp for a hands-free light option (or both). I also like to wrap my tent in some battery powered LED wire (you can get it on Amazon) so I can easily spot my tent from far away at night.

Frolicking Fantasy Floral Sequin Outfit

7. Bring more socks than you think you'll need

I like to bring 3 pairs of socks per day just in case. You'll definitely want to switch your day socks off as you head into the night time, but I like to have an extra pair of clean socks for bed time just in case it gets cold.

8. Bring an added shade structure

Your tent is good for sleeping, but during the day you'll want a shade structure to chill in once it gets too hot to sit in your tent.

9. Don't forget camping chairs

You're going to thank yourself if you bring camping chairs. Camping festivals are a 24-hour experience, so having a place to sit and chill when you're not dancing or exploring the festival is a must. You can even bring blow up furniture to save space in your car.

Shroomy Shimmer Marabou Outfit

10. Don't forget tools

It's easy to remember the things you're excited to use—like your new savormeditation outfits or your body glitter—but don't forget the necessities. Double check before you leave that you have any necessary tools to set up and maintain your camp. This can include things like a rubber mallet for your tent stakes (and your tent stakes), Duct Tape just in case, extra batteries, and an air mattress pump.

Working closely with Sander van Doorn, Laura van Dam has had the opportunity to cultivate a career with mentorship from some of the best names in the progressive house and trance scenes. Today, her solo career will take her to festival stages around the globe with scheduled sets at Miami's Ultra Music Festival, Hong Kong's Creamfields, Sydney's Hyperdome, and even Luminosity Beach Festival in her home country of The Netherlands. 

We caught up with Laura van Dam before her set at Ultra Music Festival in Miami from March 22-24. Grab tickets to Ultra here before they sell out (and they're close!). Check out our guide for everything you need to know about how to to go to Ultra here. Stream Laura's music on Spotify here. 

savormeditation: Congratulations on being labeled "the Future of Dance" by 100tracklists.com - How did that accomplishment feel?

Laura van Dam: It's truly amazing that the team of 1001tracklists.com honored me with the label 'The Future of Dance,' it kind of feels like I've won my first award! The label means a lot to me, it’s a very nice compliment after putting in the hard work. Spending countless hours in the studio, day and night, experimenting and crafting my own sound and now being able to release my music via labels like Anjuna, Armada, Epic247 and AFTR:HRS, which allows me to grow and reach more people with my music every day. And of course, a big shout out to my awesome team for making it happen!

iHR: I always like to hear how artists describe their music in their own words. Tell us about your music - how would you describe it?

LvD: For me, music is like a story that unfolds from start to finish. I really enjoy melodic and progressive house because it has these amazing melodies and strong beats. I like a good catchy tune and I'm not afraid of a solid bass line and a deeper dark drop. Bringing all these ingredients together to create a musical journey that keeps me hooked.

YRU Dune X Blackout Platform Festival Shoes

"These platform shoes are a must for me! Because i'm not that tall so I can dance and see the audience haha"

iHR: What inspires you? Where do you begin when you produce something new?

LvD: In my own studio work I’m always inspired by classical music, like Ludovico Einaudi, for example. And also by other electronic producers, such as Joris Voorn, Yotto, and Meduza. When I start a new project, I usually start with a melody line that gets me in my creative zone and I close my eyes to feel if it connects with my heart. From that point on, I add more ingredients and build towards a progressive house or melodic techno or trance arrangement. My creative process is always about capturing pure emotions in my songs for myself and my audience to connect to.

iHR: Your mentor is Sander Van Doorn - how has that shaped you as an artist?

LvD: I have known Sander (van Doorn) for quite a long time. My past work for him as A&R for his Doorn Records shaped my creative vision as well. While working together Sander always gave me helpful advice on my own productions and gave me tips on how I could take my tracks to a higher level. His tips and advice throughout the years made sure my tracks sound solid at the clubs and festivals.

Pixie Prism Rainbow Reflective Fishnet Chaps

"This is how you rave, love these rainbow chaps!"

iHR: What have you learned from that experience that you would share with other up and coming artists?

LvD: This tip is general: make sure people notice you in the music scene. Go to festivals, check out clubs, those are often the best places to meet industry people in a fun and easy way. Be active on social media and let everyone see who you are as an artist and a person. Stay consistent, don't give up, and bring the world a unique music flavor of your own.

iHR: Tell us about your upcoming releases, what can we expect in 2024?

LvD: At the moment my latest single “Blow Up The Speakers” is being very well received, it got picked up by many legendary DJs across the board, from Armin van Buuren to Laidback Luke, while performing very nicely on the streaming platforms as well.

My next release is called “This Feeling” and it is coming out on International Women's Day (March 8th) via Enhanced Recordings. I remember that I played that track for the first time at Tomorrowland last summer, and I was just blown away by how the crowd responded to the track.

Also, Armin van Buuren just premiered my upcoming collab release with Ginchy, it’s called “Save Me” and is to be released via his personal imprint Armind in April.

Later this year you can expect new original music on Anjunabeats, including a very special remix I’m really excited about, and I have several really cool artist collaborations scheduled to be released for this year, which I can't wait to share with my followers.

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A post shared by Laura van Dam (@lauravandammusic)

iHR: Tell us about some of your upcoming shows. Which ones are you most excited for?

LvD: I'm just absolutely stoked for my 2024 touring schedule, there is still a lot to be announced. But obviously I am very excited to make my debut at Ultra Music Festival in Miami on the Worldwide Stage (A State of Trance stage) which is my childhood dream coming true.

Also, I’m very excited about playing the mainstage at A State Of Trance in Rotterdam and being back at Mysteryland festival in The Netherlands this summer. Also, I’m doing my first tour run to China and Australia in April, playing at Creamfields in Hong Kong and the new Hyperdome events in Sydney and Melbourne. 

iHR: Coming from Europe, the European dance music scene can be much different from the US. What are some of the biggest differences you've noticed?

LvD: That's right! I just love the audience in the US; it has always been a dream to tour extensively there. When comparing the crowds in general, the European crowd might seem a bit more laidback while really enjoying the music and the moment, whereas the crowds in the US in general are really hyped, they go all out together and really live up to the moment.

iHR: Tell us about your rave or festival style:

LvD: I'm all about crop tops, high-waisted shorts, and statement sunglasses. Some days, it's a sleek, all-black vibe; other times, I'm diving into a burst of colors. 

Tough Attitude Fishnet Crop Top

"This crop top looks cool and comfortable at the same time, that’s what I like :)"

iHR: Where do you look for inspiration when it comes to festival fashion?

LvD: Scrolling through Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok. Or checking content from big influencing festivals like Ultra of course.

iHR: What are some of your favorite festival or rave fashion trends?

LvD: I’m loving the trendy holographic fabrics because it makes you shine day and night and creative accessories like body jewels and cool sunglasses.

iHR: If you made a piece of Kandi today, what would it say?

LvD: Something like ‘Enjoy the moment’ or ‘live the freedom’ - Celebrating life together and meeting new people brings your life into the present, while dancing together creates moments of joy!

If 2024 is the year of the it girl, then Mary Droppinz is about to have her biggest year yet. With her music bringing the party vibes to the house and techno scene, Mary Droppinz has found a level of success at an early stage in her career that most don't. This is a testament to her skills as both an artist and a marketer, as her ability to curate a brand has made her an unforgettable new artist for 2024. 

We took a moment to chat with Mary Droppinz just in time for the release of her new EP The Cycle on Zed's Dead's Altered States label. Stream the new EP here and check out what she had to say about its production below. 

savormeditation: Tell us a bit about how you got into DJing? Which came first, DJing or producing?

Mary Droppinz: I started djing first in 2015 for fun. I was a marketing manager at a big ad agency and had a good stable salary job with health insurance. I didn’t plan that DJ'ing would become my full time but I knew the moment I touched the decks that this was my destiny, this is my life, this is what I had been missing and finally felt creative freedom which I was craving.

Coming from Nebraska, I was not exposed to DJ or festival culture at all, I was always a music head though, mostly loving emo or oldies rock. I went to Coachella in 2012 and discovered everything I didn’t think it could even be real! I dove hard into electronic music and the underground. I became a DJ shortly after, so barely was even a fan before i became a DJ.

I used to play piano and watch my dad play drums growing up so after 5 years of DJing. I decided it’s time to put my producer hat on, I loved the music too much. When I started going to school at IO academy for Ableton, that’s when a lot clicked for me. I was DJ'ing house/techno for 5 years until i started producing, then I realized the beats my body naturally moves to were more broken than 4x4.

I got even deeper into subgenres of electronic music and found myself in breaks, electro, dnb, UKG, bass and jersey club. Although I’ve been producing for 4+ years I still feel very new but I am honestly grateful I approached this as a DJ first. A lot of producers have a hit track then have to perform and have no clue how to operate a crowd as a DJ so I feel really strong knowing I'm a badass DJ first! As I continue to learn, grow and explore myself as a producer I am excited to keep sharing my take on dance music.

Flashbang Matrix Reflective Cropped Jacket

"Puffy jackets for those late night outdoor festivals [are a] must."

iHR: I saw on your TikTok you said it's not about genres, it's about energy. I love that. How do you approach curating your sets?

MD: When i curate my set I take in account my mood and what I want to deliver for the night so that it is authentically coming from my heart. I like to create little blocks in my sets of different genres for fluidity but leave a lot of room for serendipity because that’s when magic happens between the DJ and the dance floor.  

I believe DJ’s are energy conductors and not iPod playlists. We are here to draw/weave the beats and rhythms with our energy, creating a safe environment for the dancers to let their bodies free! 

Iridescence Butterfly Hairclips

"I love this cute clip anything iridescent or butterfly i’m obsessed with."

iHR: Tell us a bit about the production process on your new EP, The Cycle. 

MD: I love to create themes for my tracks, like decide the mood/energy/story I’m trying to share first. I often start with drums as they are my favorite part of any track! Then I like to build from there, all of my vocals I just recorded on my phone and then used vocoder in Ableton to give it this kinda robot classic electro vibe.

I will also use samples that i find on Bandcamp or splice and start sketching the idea. From there I will go back and clean up building parts based off of the sample placeholders. I pretty much use all Ableton stock plugins. I also love creating drums on my Roland tr8-s and Ableton push! After I’ve built out the song arrangement with all my parts then I have an engineer help me with the mix-down etc, I only want to put forth my best work so there’s only like 2 friends i trust with feedback & helping dial my music to make it radio ready.

Foreign Friend Reflective & UV Reactive Body Sticker Set

"I might be the only DJ without tattoos but id love to rock these for added fun!"

iHR: The EP came out on Zeds Dead's label, Altered States. How did that come to be?

MD: I’ve been releasing on Altered States the past few years so it made sense to keep it within the family! Shoutout to 2+2 management for connecting the dots and having me as one of their first artists to release on ZD’s new label! It’s been really cool to be apart of it since the start, we shaping the sound of Altered States.

iHR: What were some of your inspirations for that EP?

MD: I made these songs over a year ago when I was going through my own personal growth. ‘The Cycle’ was created to help me stay disciplined to break toxic cycles and relationships that I had in my life at the time, to not go back and repeat the same thing.

‘Really Don’t Care’ I made when I decided to do a 3 day fast to really push my mental capacity and give my body time to heal. In this experience I worked on releasing caring what others thought or said about me.

‘Pink Lambo’ is my favorite I made as like the highest goal, this is where I'm going to be, once I release all the toxic cycles, stop caring about things or people that no longer serve me, this is the ultimate destination — being your baddest, sexiest, freakiest, most successful self! I also did see a pink Lamborghini parked in my neighborhood the day i made this when i came back from the sauna so that’s where the inspo from my lyrics started ;)

Out Of The Dark Reflective Mesh Ultra Crop Top

"I love bolero’s and this looks like it’d be perfect add to any outfit."

iHR: Tell us about some of your upcoming shows. Which ones are you most excited for?

MD: I’m most excited for this summer :) I can’t really announce specifics but it’s going to be a beautiful year of new places, new experiences, new original music to drop! Oh and march 16th I am hosting my own party in DTLA so that is a new fun venture I'm excited to embark on as well! 

iHR: What is your craziest rave or festival memory?

MD: When I played the Zeds Dead jamboree in Denver over 4th of July last year. I was playing the small side stage for altered states and then basically a monsoon of rain down poured on everyone so we all had to flee and go inside. Thousands of ravers stayed outside to brave the rain, insane!

[Then] my manager came running up to me in the green room and said “we need you at main-stage” I'm like what??? and yeah basically I went out to revive the ravers after the insane torrential rain before Zeds Dead played their set. I was shook, to go from the side stage to main stage in a matter of an hour and to be the light at the end of the tunnel for all those people that sat in the rain and waited for the music… my heart! I will never forget this! 

Backstage Baddie Reflective Cutout Top

"I love reflective gear especially when im DJ'ing, it just makes me feel extraterrestrial and techy."

iHR: Where do you look for inspiration when it comes to festival fashion?

MD: I love creating my outfit based on my set for that festival and the vibe I want to give off, my style & my beats go hand in hand! 

Wide Awake Buckle Long Sleeve Top

"As a DJ mostly the top matters because that’s all that anyone can see from the crowd. This looks sexy and gives techno vibes."

iHR: What are some of your favorite festival or rave fashion trends?

MD: I love when people wear belly chains, bucket hats and fast sunglasses. such a viiiibe. 

Barricade Baddie Cutout Bodysuit

"This reminds me of the outfit I wore for my Lightning In A Bottle set last year—bringing back amazing memories."

iHR: If you made a piece of Kandi today, what would it say?

MD: cute ting or fuck around & find out

Picture this: the lights are low, the bass is thumping, and you're surrounded by a sea of smiling faces, all moving to the same infectious beat. This is the magic of dance music and rave culture, an enchanting world where music transcends boundaries and brings people together in the most extraordinary way.

But behind this electrifying movement are some incredible individuals, the creative geniuses who've not only given us unforgettable tunes but have also played a massive role in shaping an entire cultural phenomenon. Today we're throwing a spotlight on the Black DJs and producers who have made a huge impact on dance music and rave culture. We're here to celebrate their amazing contributions and to recognize the profound influence of Black communities in shaping dance music as we know it today. Without Black artists, EDM wouldn't be what it is. 

Here are some of our favorite Black DJs and producers today. Who are yours?

Honey Dijon

This Black trans artist has made waves in the high fashion world and helped to bring EDM into a new market. With a history of performing in New York's underground club scene, Honey Dijon continues to be a groundbreaking visionary in the dance music scene. Stream her music here.  

A Hundred Drums

On her website, A Hundred Drums describes her music as "Thunderous low end and pulsating rhythm." With a packed tour lineup coming up this festival season, now is your chance to catch a set from A Hundred Drums this summer. Check out her music on Spotify here. 

Uniiqu3

As a Jersey club queen, Uniiqu3 brings the vibes to her music and her live sets. Her new single, "Price Going Up" features Black Caviar and sets the mood for the perfect festival day this festival season. Check out Uniiqu3 on Spotify here and keep an eye out for her on lineups this summer. 

Aluna

Aluna of AlunaGeorge has been a staple in the dance music scene for over a decade. The singer has provided vocals on some of the biggest EDM hits that we still here on the dancefloor today, and her newer music is just as good as the classics. Check out her music here.

Nia Archives

As a rising artists, Nia Archives has had some massive accomplishments at an early stage of her career. Her recent remix of Fred Again's leavemealone has already reached over 300,000 plays on Soundcloud in its first weeks after being released. Keep an eye out for Nia Archives on lineups this summer, and check out her music here. 

PinkPantheress

With production credits and collaborations with some of the biggest artists in the world, PinkPantheress has quickly become one of the defining artists of the 2020s. Her hit songs like "Boys a Liar" define her unique sound and help her stand out as not just an emerging artist, but an emerging genre. Check out her music here and keep an eye out for her name on lineups this festival season. 

Green Velvet

As one of the biggest house and techno artists of the 2010s, Green Velvet is always going to be on our top lists. Green Velvet has been the backdrop of some of my favorite nights out as a raver, so it's only fitting that we would include him on our list of some of the Black artists we love today. You can stream Green Velvet on Spotify here, or catch him at the La La Land Miami pool party during Miami Music Week this March.  

Black Carl!

When it comes to experimental dubstep, you should have your eyes on Black Carl! This Birmingham-based DJ and producer is known for his signature experimental sound, which blends a mix of soft sounds with heavy bass to create something that is truly unique to the dubstep genre. His latest track "sorry for the wait" off of his upcoming album can be streamed on streaming platforms here.

Jayda G

Music is a type of catharsis, and few understand that quite like Canadian DJ and producer Jayda G. In her 2023 album, Guy, Jayda G explores themes of grief and remembrance with an album dedicated to her late father. Haunting vocals set the scene as entrancing house beats create a backdrop that will let listeners dance their grief away. Stream Guy on streaming platforms here. 

Kaytranada

Few artists have managed to earn the praise that Kaytranada, a longtime staple in the dance music scene, has earned in recent years. With a long career in the house and techno scene, Kaytranada is less of an artist you'll listen to once or twice, and more of a staple you'll keep coming back to for years to come. His 2023 album Kaytraminé, a project co-produced alongside Aminé, was one of my personal top albums of 2023. Stream Kaytranada's music here. 

Kaleena Zanders

When you think of disco, think no further than Bay Area vocalist and DJ Kaleena Zanders. With energizing and dynamic vocals backed by dance beats that can't help but get you up and moving, Zanders is defining what it means to create bangers in 2024. Her recent single "ME WITHOUT U" is sure to be a festival staple this summer. Stream her music here. 

FKA Twigs

FKA Twigs is one of those artists where if you know, you know. This British singer and dancer is behind some of the most iconic experimental tracks of the last decade. While she's not technically a dance music artist, her music offers a unique blend of influences from electronic and hip-hop to jazz and R&B. Her latest mixtape, CAPRISONGS, features some of the best of her career, including "honda (ft. pa salieu)" and "papi bones (ft. shygirl)." Stream her album here. 

Sequin Sky Outfit

"I asked a guy for a lighter and by the end of the fest me and all of my friends followed his sis on Insta." - @moonlight.virtue on Instagram

"One time at Desert Hearts I saw this guy trying to get past me to the front of the stage and he was doing these really strange noodle dance moves and his eyes looked crazy and he kept bumping into all my friends and me. It got really annoying and honestly a little scary so I said "hey can you stop you're being kinda creepy" and he turned around and shrugged and said " its the only way i know how to be." because it was honestly so silly and such a strange thing for someone to say it lightened the entire mood and we were no longer freaked out by him. for the rest of the night we saw him doing his thing and were amused by his existence." - Tessla

Enchanted Butterfly Sequin Outfit

"A guy (who was very drunk) accidentally peed on me. [Another time] a guy got his eyebrow piercing ripped out and had me take him to the aid station (I was 12)." - @moonlight.virtue on Instagram 

"I have so many favorite memories but one would be the Funk House at EDC, so many good memories but all the actual scratchers playing and dancing to classic music at a rave was so much fun and the vibe at that stage was so incredible. We would bring anyone having a bad time, who was lost or couldn’t find friends etc to that stage and it would completely change their night because the vibe was so good. And DJ Jazzy Jeff told my friend happy birthday there! He read out totem and she was tripping so hard she didn’t even notice." - Anonymous

Sweet Serenade Outfit

"I was walking back to camp one morning at a festival after a sunrise set and ran into a guy making homemade brick oven pizza in the middle of the desert festival grounds. It wasn't a portable brick oven either. He had brought out a full-size brick oven (or constructed it?) and was slinging fresh pizza for people. It was honestly some of the best pizza I've ever had in my life and the vibes were immaculate." -Anonymous  

Flower Bomb Outfit

"One time at Burning Man I saw a couple dancing with their infant at a party at 4 am. The baby had headphones on but instead of a stroller or bike seat they had it in a garden wagon with twinkle lights on it." - Julia 

Woke Up In Paradise Outfit

"During a new years Odesza set, I saw someone carrying a Nigel Thornberry totem with a guy that looked exactly like him. I told him 'omg it's you!' He turns to his friend and said 'no, it's you!!' I found out they were triplets that all looked like Nigel Thornberry. Then the clock struck midnight and it was the new year," - Sarah

"My favorite festival memory ever: spent all of Monday morning, of the last day of Shambhala, exploring alone with a dead phone. I was about to head back to camp at 4am when i stumbled upon Skream, my all time favorite DJ, playing a secret sunrise set. I ran into my friends that I had lost the whole night in the crowd. This was right after I found the famous secret Shambhala rubber chicken slide so i was on cloud 9. Skream ended up playing for 5 hours (!!) until 10 am and we had to go back and leave the festival grounds! the absolute best way to end the weekend," - Sarah

"One time my best friend and I were traipsing about being ridiculous, as one does on day 3 of the festival. She screamed out of nowhere 'Build me a mattress of men! I want a mattress of men!' Then all the girls in the group joined in and the men decided they would oblige us. So we found a huge mattress on the dancefloor and all the men laid down as the base layer and we all laid on top of them. It was purely platonic but honestly the only way to survive the 30 degree weather at the fest!" - Tessla

"One time at Das Energi, EPROM was playing a set at the beach stage while the headliner played at the mainstage. This was before EPROM got popular but my friends and I knew about him. We went to the set and there were maybe 5 people there but it was SO good, and so special to have that experience in such an intimate setting. Check out new DJs! They might end up being some of your best festival experiences." - Anonymous 

Liquid Tripp Spliced Skirt

Dreamwave Outfit

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 number of EDM subgenres out there is endless, and it can be tough trying to figure out if your favorite house artist is classified as tropical, electro, dutch, progressive, or one of the other ten bajillion sub-genres! To help you become a master at understanding all of the different types of EDM out there, I have created a simple breakdown of some of the most popular types of edm out there and their subsequent sub-genres.

EDM Subgenres

• House
• Deep House
• Tropical House
• Progressive House
• Electro House
• Dub
• Dubstep
• Trap
• Glitch-hop
• Techno
• Tech House
• Acid Techno
• Trance
• Progressive Trance
• Psytrance
• Drum and Bass
• NeuroFunk
• Future Bass

House

Artists: Chris Lake, Tchami, Walker & Royce, Claude VonStroke

One of the leading genres of the EDM world, house music has made its way from its roots as an underground warehouse favorite to the mainstage at your favorite festivals. House music is characterized by its repetition and use of bass drums. The tempo is typically in the 120-130 bpm range and can sound a bit funky. You will almost always find a house stage at every festival, but some spots that best feature edm types like house are Nocturnal Wonderland, Paradiso, Desert Hearts and Dirtybird Campout.

Meme by @rahh.rahh

Deep House

Artists: Disclosure, Rüfüs Du Sol, Lee Burridge, Damian Lazarus, Thugfucker

Although popular, this genre of edm is often one of the most misunderstood. Deep house songs follow a 4/4 beat structure, made up of heavy bass and unique chord progressions. The majority of these songs rely strongly on the presence of bass for those smooth wub sounds that we like to hear in clubs and lounges.The tempo is a bit slower than house music but trust us when we say that in a live setting, the vibes with this type of edm are great.

Boogie Blast Disco Outfit

Tropical House

Artists: Kygo, Clean Bandit, Matoma, Klingande

These playful tunes truly sound tropical with their beachy sounds and light drum features. Creators will often utilize the sounds of pan flutes and saxophones to create a sense of calming and relaxation in their music. With tropical house, think poolside chillin’ or laid back beach party. These are upbeat songs that will make you feel as warm as the summer sun you are likely listening to this under.

Progressive House

Artists: Avicii, Oona Dahl, Hardwell, Eric Prydz, Alesso

If you hear progressive house, the only thing you will want to do is dance. This funky genre is simultaneously melodic and hard, driving crowds to get up and groove. These songs often feature extensive build up sections followed by a simplistic breakdown. Progressive house is very experimental compared to other variations of House.

Electro House

Artists: Steve Aoki, Calvin Harris, R3hab, Botnek, Tiesto

Electro house is one of the most intense edm styles of all House music. You’ll know if you are listening to electro house if you notice distorted bass lines with a heavy use of synths, as well as pounding beats and strong buildups. One thing you will NOT hear is a lot of percussion- electro house relies primarily on bass to carry the song.

Red Hot Raver Outfit

Dub

For all my wubheads, Dub has the power to send us into an aggressively euphoric state of happiness. With a focus on bass and uptempo breaks, some of the EDM world’s most legendary drops belong to this genre. Next time you are at a concert but you’re not sure whether or not you are listening to Dub, just look around for anyone headbanging the life out of themselves - that is how you know.

Meme by @may_lena_gallrein

Dubstep

Artist: Skrillex, Flux Pavilion, Borgore

Anything dubstep is typically high in BPM and packed with syncopated rhythmic percussion patterns. This form of bass distortion is best enjoyed when listened to at high volumes. Dubstep is also known for having epic drops that are guaranteed to make it onto every raver's Snapchat story.

Trap

Artists: RL Grime, Baauer, Flosstradamus

Trap originally drew mainly on rap and hip hop, but over time it has evolved to revolve more around electronic sounds. You will hear a lot of snappy snares, loud kicks, and trihats behind the focus of the song's heavy bass. No matter what club or party you are at, you are bound to hear at least one trap song… or twenty.

Glitch-Hop

Artists: Bassnectar, Bleep Bloop, B.R.E.E.D, The Glitch Mob

Unlike most styles, tempo does not play a huge role in glitch-hop, in fact it is usually ignored. DJ's focus on uniquely manipulating sounds and beats to incorporate glitchy tones into their songs. Clicks, bleeps, and sweeps are dominant sounds we hear being combined with traditional Dub elements.

Techno

Tech House

Artists: Fisher, Shiba San, Camelphat

This dynamic cross breed combines the styles of Techno and House to create a distinct structure. Elements such as synthetic melodies and hi-hats are present from Techno, while the tempo and rhythm of House tend to dominate. Tech house is big in the underground community, and it often times pushes people to dance in ways that they never knew they could.

Acid Techno

Artists: Aphex Twin, Hardfloor, Acid Junkies

Distorted layers of sounds and synths are what bring Acid Techno to life. Producers have mastered the manipulation of controls that generate this unique sound. This sub-genre is quite ambiguous and hard for some people to understand.

Trance

Surfacing from the Europe, Trance has flowed it’s way to America and hypnotized us all. Packed with captivating rhythms and sonic elements, Trance has transfixed it’s listeners on this spellbinding genre. One of my favorite Trance festivals is Dreamstate, Insomniac’s leading Trance destination.

Meme by @edmfriends

Progressive Trance

Artists: Markus Schulz, James Holden

Progressives are smooth running tracks that are constantly flowing from start to finish. The multitude of buildups incorporate futuristic and fast sounds that are balanced with instrumental breakdowns to create a less aggressive tone.

Psytrance

Artists: Infected Mushroom, Astrix, Skazi

Often lengthy, psytrance’s claim to fame is its hypnotic beat. Psytrance may not be for everyone though… it is music created for the body, mind, and soul. The psychedelic gods demand that listeners embrace the energy of the cosmos while radiating the twisted, trancey sounds. It is difficult to only appreciate this music sitting down.

Drum and Bass

This well-known branch emerged from jungle scenes and has become one of the dominant classifications of EDM. Pretty self-explanatory by the name, drum and bass are the two central components that come into play when creating DnB music.  These beat focused songs are the type that are worth blowing out your sub-woofers for.

Meme by @junglistsurprise

NeuroFunk

Artists: Ed Rush, Noisia, Optical

Also known as techstep, this style is a funky take on DnB. Neurofunk music features an industrial overtone to the drops, accompanied by a continuously building backbeat. Artists that have mastered this subgenre are extremely brilliant when it comes to blending synthesized percussion sounds with insane basslines.

Future Bass

Artists: San Holo, Troyboi, GTA

These songs can range from aggressive joyful. Future bass is a hybrid of lots of genres, including dutch house, dubstep, and trap. These powerful songs are created with pulsating synths and trap-like beats. Very synthy elements help them to fully transform into future bass.

And there you have it, your official quick guide to EDM! Now you are ready to take on your next rave and not only identify any song or artists but impress your friends with your new skills, too.

Thrashing eardrums and breaking necks isn’t enough for this heavy-hitting juggernaut as he recently launched Sounds of Mayhem Records and debuted his latest EP, Beyond Oblivion. Before PhaseOne’s special B2B set with Cyclops at Excision presents Basstrack, I, Mary Mason, on the behalf of savormeditation explored the development during this stage PhaseOne will supersede. 

savormeditation: Thank you so much for your time! Your album, Transcendency illustrated your ability to genre-blend from rap featuring Bone Thugs-N-Harmony in, “Ultima” to classical in the dark, instrumental track “Cadence - Interlude”. Genre-blending seems like second nature to you, what is your biggest production tip to aspiring genre-blending DJs? 

PhaseOne: For me, I came from a rock/metal background before I knew what EDM was. I think it flows so naturally in my music because I’m just combining my 2 fav genres. Blending genres is def a solid way of giving yourself a signature sound, and these days thats extremely important, I’d definitely recommend exploring that as an upcoming artists but make sure you know the style very well because a lot of times it can come off super cheesy.

iHR: Your latest EP, Beyond Oblivion was released this August and it has nothing but positive feedback from fans. Does this album contain a storyline or narrative adding to the PhaseOne lore? 

PO: Not so much a story but more a statement. The previous EP I did this year was a full metal EDM crossover project and was a very personal endeavor for me, so Beyond Oblivion was more of a reminder to the fans that I still make heavy dubstep.

iHR: You recently shared an Instagram video of you experimenting with an acoustic cover of your single, “Eyes Wide Shut”. It’s striking to experience the duality of the song in its forms of symphonic filth and contrasting harmony. With Excision presents Basstrack on the rise, would you ever consider performing a live acoustic version of one of your singles? Or, releasing an official acoustic version of any track in your discography? 

PO: In theory I’d love to but I’m definitely not a studio vocalist, I can kind of get away with it for fun but in no way could i pull that off confidentiality haha

iHR: Your fans in Arizona are hyped to experience the Beyond Oblivion tour because many saw you last at Goldrush Festival 2021. Explain your favorite moment that has happened so far during the Beyond Oblivion tour. 

PO: AZ crowds are always so fun! I’ve never had a bad show here. So far this tour has been nothing but rowdy and I’m excited to see AZ’s reaction on the lager basstrack scale.

iHR: Congratulations on the debut of your record label, Sounds of Mayhem Records! You’ve explained SOM Records as a home for experimental and rock/metal-inspired EDM. As a listener, I perceive the record label as a conduit to create more experimental music for those that adore your sound. Are you inspired to curate a SOM Records stage takeover at a festival?

PO: Yes 100%, the label is early days now but we’re off to a solid start! Long term label shows and stage takeovers are definitely on the cards!

iHR: In your words, how do the similarities between metal and dubstep intersect for you? How is it extremely natural for you to fuse the two genres together to make your distinguished sound? 

PO: Coming from a metal background, I was always the engineer in my bands and would engineer my friends bands too. Once I heard dubstep I immediately could hear the correlation between the two aggressive styles of music. When it comes to blending the two I made it my goal to be the one to do it the most tasteful. Ever since the beginning of dubstep people always would say that “dubstep is just the new metal”, even Skrillex did a record with Korn (it sucked but the idea was there). It took me years of trial and error to try and perfect the blend, but I think I’m now at a place where my music incorporates both styles pretty accurately and tastefully.

iHR: If you were to experiment with a genre that is way out of your production style such as nu disco, techno, acid house, etc. which genre would it be and why? 

PO: I’d probably try techno. I like dark music and i think techno is one genre i might be able to make something cool out of (if i tried)

iHR: I revisit my favorite music albums when I want to appreciate the narrative or sonic storyline and re-learn the wisdom it once showed me. What are your favorite albums (or songs) that provide wisdom for you?  

PO: My music taste is very different to what I make. Mostly on my time off, I listen to old music (70’s, 80’s, 90’s classics) for nostalgia. But I also love listening to complicated music and trying to understand it - generally progressive rock & metal, where it's super musical and hard to keep track of with constantly changing time signatures/keys etc.

A perfect example (and one of my fav musical pieces) is from a 90’s band called liquid tension experiment, they have a song called ‘when the water breaks’ and it's a 17-minute musical journey. No vocals, just straight musical complexity.

iHR: Dubstep, riddim, and even metal are misconstrued as emotionless music when many would argue that’s incorrect. What emotions or feelings do you like to transmute in your music?

PO: There is definitely a time and a place for bass music and 90% of the time it's meant for the club, it's supposed to be a thing for live purely coz of the energy it emits. You’d never catch me listening to dubstep in my car lol. But yes, it is full of emotion, heavy stuff specifically is full of so much energy, you can see it at shows how much it makes people pumped and hyped, there’s also hints of aggression in there as it is such heavy music. And on the flip side there are songs full of emotion (more on the melodic sing-song vibe). 

With an upcoming set at North Coast Music Festival in her future, we had a quick chat with Canabliss to talk everything from new music to her favorite iHR pieces. You can catch her set at North Coast this Labor Day weekend in Bridgeview, Illinois. Grab tickets here! 

iHR: What is your production process for making a new track?

Canabliss: My production process is usually me experimenting with a bunch of different sounds until I make one that really inspires me to write a whole song. Usually, it just kind of clocks and I can immediately tell what else I need to add to make my vision come to life. Sometimes I start with drums, synths, or even something as small as an FX can inspire an entire song!

iHR: Tell us about your live shows. What can fans expect at North Coast?

C: The most important thing for me at my live shows is to make sure the attendees are having fun! I try my absolute best to carefully craft my sets in a way that keeps the good energy flowing while taking the crowd on a journey. I like to play a mix of mostly bass subgenres to keep it fresh and unpredictable. You can expect 140, high energy dubstep, drum n bass and more!

Electrostatic Reflective Zipper Cargo Pants

"I love wearing cargo pants to festivals! Not only do they look super cool, they are also functional to hold all your necessities. You won;t even need a bag!"

iHR: Do you have any new music in the works that you can tell us about now?

C: I have a lot of exciting music I’m working on at the moment, but nothing I can share just yet! Keep a look out though!

iHR: What is your dream collab?

C: My dream collab would be artists like Ivy Lab, Rezz, and Liquid Stranger. I look up to their production skills tremendously and it would be amazing to work with them on a song one day!

iHR: What artists do you look to for inspiration?

C: The main way I find inspiration is by discovering cool, new songs on SoundCloud. There are so many amazing underground artists and hidden gems to be uncovered, they really spark my inspiration the most! I also think it's really cool to get inspired from completely different genres as well. I listen to a lot of indie music and I think it's apparent from some of the trippy-sounding synths in my latest song “Saudade.”

iHR: Tell us a bit about your festival style.

C: My festival style varies. Sometimes I like to wear dark, baggy clothes and feel super comfortable and other times, I like to dress up in more flattering, fun pieces! It really depends on the day and weather, of course?

iHR: What rave rave fashion trends are you most excited to see this festival season?

C: I think in general I love seeing everyone’s self expression and creativity. It’s amazing that everyone can be themselves and, in the end, it doesn’t matter if you’re following the trends or not! I love how festival culture celebrates individuality and freedom.

iHR: If you made a piece of kandi today what would it say?

C: If I made a piece of kandi, it would say “Casper,” which is my cat’s name! It would be perfect since I’m always missing him when I’m away at festivals.

iHR: Favorite festival memory?

C: It’s so hard to choose a favorite! A top moment for me has to be seeing Ivy Lab for the first time at an old cast during Outlook Festival in Croatia. It was so magical being in Europe for the first time and experiencing the scene out there. That specific festival also helped birth my love for the different kinds of bass music, which I’m super thankful for. 

Her latest single, "Afraid To Fail" is a testament of her artistic notion of accepting and controlling personal struggles in her upcoming album, Power of Panic. The darkest of mental health struggles serve as a reflective, creative source for this singer-songwriter-DJ-producer to motivate others. They, too, can transmute their pain into reformation. I, Mary Mason, had the honor of inquiring with Elohim on the behalf of savormeditation about self-validation as a female artist in the dance music industry, coping skills, and more after Electric Forest 2023. 

iHR: Elohim, thank you so much for your time! It’s an honor to interview you at this time in my life as mental health is a main priority for me. Your latest single, “Afraid To Fail”, is a song of perseverance and determination for those debilitating battles. The song reminds me that some battles are lost in the same spirit in which they are won. What motivates you to stay determined on your path or provides you hope when you “feel like a hamster on a wheel” during your most difficult moments? 

Elohim: Hi thank you for asking wonderful questions and talking to me! When I am having a defeated “want to quit it all” moment sometimes the simplest message from someone telling me my music meant something to them can quite literally alter the way my brain is thinking. After a show meeting someone and they tell me they needed that experience and it helped them in a difficult time. I always try to express my gratitude for that to people because I want them to know that their beautiful words have kept me going. 

iHR: If you were to create a music video for “Afraid To Fail”, which visual elements, concepts, or storyline would you like to incorporate?

E: I imagine it shot on a green screen treadmill and a HUMONGOUS hamster wheel with a tiny person endlessly running inside of it… maybe we reveal a hamster chasing her, I don’t know... Or a few different things chasing her… Hmm.

iHR: I’ve followed your performance presence for a year now. I’ve adored performance shots displaying you laying on the ground with a microphone in your hand wearing your signature white mesh mask. You exude intensity and vigor which inspires me to be unafraid to express myself. Can you describe the thoughts or feelings you experience on stage?

E: Thank you for saying that, it is really powerful to read what you wrote. See!! you just altered the way I was thinking! It’s like a breath of fresh air reading that! Some bonus oxygen to keep me going! On stage, I feel empowered! I feel emotional! I feel it is the place to release anything and everything I am holding on to. It feels like an emotional purge.

It is always different depending on the crowd, atmosphere, myself, and my state but I think that is why I keep doing it! You never really know what you're going to feel but it is always an opportunity for me to go out and try to share love, compassion, and empathy. My parents always said it doesn't matter if there is 1 person or 1,000 people in the crowd, always put on the best show and spread LOVE! 

iHR: With that, watching you perform at The Carousel Stage at this year’s Electric Forest was beautiful! Your white mesh mask is becoming iconic to your personal style. What attracted you to this specific mask and how does it serve your artistic expression? 

E: An amazing designer, Luke Vicious, let me go over to his very private studio and go through clothes. It was thrilling! He had made this mask with a matching shirt and said “You could try wearing this”. I got to my photo shoot and put it on and instantly felt something.

When we got the images back it felt RIGHT! For whatever reason when I looked at myself I looked strong. Still to this day when I see an image or video with me in the mask, it just feels powerful! I love the moment in the show when I rip it off and it always seems to excite the crowd which in return excites me!

iHR: As a female artist creating in a male-dominated industry, feelings of self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and anxiety are unfortunately normal. What allows you to provide self-validation as a female artist in the dance music industry? 

E: I am not going to lie, it is really hard! Sometimes I am unable to self-validate and it feels impossible to get out of my own head. There are moments I see footage of myself performing and I feel as if I am watching someone else. Someone I want to be. Someone strong, in control, confidant, and bad ass. She is me but I don’t see me as her all the time.

Those moments when I can see that she is me are the best and give me a boost of confidence and resilience. Being human is really strange! We are inside of ourselves so we are brutally hard on ourselves while doubting everything. When we see other humans from the outside we adore and idolize them, give them compliments, wish we were them. I think they're looking at us the same way though… I wish we could love ourselves more!  

iHR: What are your go-to coping skills that allow you to reconnect with the truest and strongest parts of yourself? 

E: I would say creating is probably the quickest route to feeling like myself. Sitting at the piano, singing, writing, producing! Or even just listening to music. Family is really special for grounding and nature as well. I am not consistent with meditation and I wish I was but every time I do a 15-minute meditation, I feel changed. Sometimes a bath and sleep do the trick too.

iHR: From your entire discography, including unreleased IDs, can you name your favorite track to perform and explain why? 

E: BUCKETS!!!! This is the moment I ask the crowd to join me in an emotional purge! I ask the crowd to scream with me and let all their demons out! Whatever they've been holding on to. I count to 3 and we all scream at the top of our lungs. It is the most cathartic, empowering, and refreshing thing ever.

It has been such a joy to hand out flowers after every show, meet people, and hear how much they needed the emotional purge. Someone at Electric Forest said it shifted the energy of the entire tent!

iHR: You are known for transmuting your “hurt into art," why is it important for you to seize every opportunity to express yourself harder? 

E: Every opportunity—whether, good, bad, weird, magical, or scary—is the reason I am filled with inspiration. Sometimes it can be extremely difficult to peel yourself up off the floor when you're hurting so bad, but more times than not when I do I end up healed through my creation. The creation and the process of creating helps guide me to see things in a different light. 

iHR: Congratulations on the scheduled release of Power of Panic this 2023! Your fans (along with myself) are thrilled to experience the continuation of your sonic hope and healing! Will you be releasing another single?  If so, are you at liberty to share any details about the release? 

E: Thank you!!! It is exciting! This new chapter feels really strong physically, emotionally, and mentally. I will have a bunch of singles! The next song coming out is actually a collaboration, and it is not from my album. It is called “Stop Time” and I am excited for it to be out because the response at shows has been remarkable. So when that one drops you can expect my next single a few weeks later! I have been playing a lot of the album out at shows and it feels INCREDIBLE!

iHR: How would you like to grow or develop from this stage in your life? 

E: I want to continue learning to appreciate this life and every moment I am given. It is hard to grasp how miraculous it truly is that we are alive as humans at this exact moment in time. I want to live in every second, soak it up,  and accept myself with love and gratitude. That is what I desire from this stage. Thank you for the beautiful questions!

Gridlife Midwest will take place from June 2-4, 2023. Learn everything you need to know about the fest with our guide, and grab tickets here! Check out our interview with QURL below, and listen to her music here as you get ready for her upcoming set! 

iHR: Tell us a bit about your shows?

QURL: My goal is to create a unique experience for every performance, aiming to be better than before. I bring a fierce, feminine energy that, in my opinion, is lacking in the scene, with intent to empower all while promoting a safe space for everyone to enjoy without feeling judged. I primarily play bass house and breakbeats while sprinkling all genres in to keep the crowd on their toes! Come see for yourself! 

Summer is always my busiest season, so I have lots of shows coming up! On Wednesday, May 18 I hosted the first installment of "QURL N GURLS," my new monthly series at this awesome venue in downtown Detroit, Deluxx Fluxx. This series of events highlights women and LGBTQIA+ DJs in the Michigan scene. Next up, two after parties for Movement Festival; the first being DEF’s debut show in Detroit with BLAAP (Of The Trees b2b Freddy Todd), Calvin Stanley, Mary Droppinz and more at Big Pink. Then, back to Big Pink to end the wild weekend with Habstrakt. Lastly, we have the highly anticipated GRIDLIFE Midwest with Subtronics, Sullivan King, Wooli and more!

Nostalgia Cutout Ultra Set 

This is a perfect example of the psychedelic print sets for this season! I love it! Style that with some comfy platforms and a hydro-backpack and you’re set for the day!

iHR: What are some of your inspirations when it comes to performing?

Q: My top three favorite inspirations when it comes to performing are Nostalgix, Wreckno, and Nicki Minaj. Their stage presence, choreo, and ability on the mic, all while being their authentic selves is what moves me to break out of my shell and be the entertainer I know I was born to be. 

iHR: Coming from the Detroit area, how did that influence your music and performance style? 

Q: Being from Detroit has made me stand out as an artist because we as a city are innovators, especially when it comes to music. These genres are prime examples: Motown, Techno, Ghetto-Tech, "Jit music," and "Detroit rap." Once we bring a sound/vision to life, the rest of the world follows.

iHR X Cyber Connection Rainbow Reflective Hydration Pack

iHR: Can you tell us a bit about your upcoming show at GRIDLIFE Midwest?

Q: I will be throwing down at GRIDLIFE Midwest and could not be more excited! I'm setting the stage for legends such as Boogie T and Wooli, playing my usual bass heavy set while debuting new music! Come early to catch ya girl QURL on Saturday, June 4!

iHR: How do you approach creating a look when it comes to your rave or festival style?

Q: Raves and festivals have two very different looks for me. For raves, I like to dress cute with fun articles of clothing and jewelry, and wear bold makeup. Festivals require more comfortable outfits to ensure full days and nights of dancing. But both outfits do have two things in common: sick kicks and lots of pockets. 

One Stop Rave Mad Catter Hand Fan

Another must have for ravers! Heat bogging you down? Use your trippy Mad Hatter fan to cool you down! 

iHR: What rave fashion trends are you most excited to see this festival season?

Q: The fashion trend I’m most excited to see this season is all the psychedelic prints! I think they're so fun and look good on everyone!! 

iHR: If you made a piece of kandi today what would it say?

Q: “Gurls rule x Boys drool”

iHR: Favorite festival memory?

My favorite festival memory has to be watching Elderbrook from the top of the Ferris wheel at Electric Forest with my best friend while there were fireworks in the sky. One of the most surreal moments and sets I’ve seen.

Hunni, I'm Bomb Puffer Jacket

This bomber is perfect for those colder nights during festival season. Warm and stunnin'.

Jessica Audiffred isn't afraid to make dance music fun. What I love the most about dance music is that it's fun, especially in a live setting. At its core, dance music doesn't want to be taken too seriously. Artists who understand that fundamental tend to stand out. They're the artists at a festival who are drawing in a massive crowd regardless of stage size simply because of their energy. They're the artists who are not afraid to take risks, and who end up creating the most memorable festival moments for their audiences because of it. 

The first time I saw Jessica Audiffred was at Das Energi 2022 when she played the mainstage during sunset—the best timeslot of the whole festival, in my opinion. The crowd was massive, and everyone lost their minds when she remixed Zedd's Clarity into a heavy dubstep track. Half a year later, we've caught up with Jessica Audiffred to discuss everything from her musical influence to what's next, and even her rave style!

savormeditation: How has coming from Mexico City influenced your work?

Jessica Audiffred: Mexico City is a very big city. Growing up, I was exposed to a lot of amazing music – rock & roll, trance, techno, and eventually bass music. All of this has influenced my sound heavily. Thanks to my older brother, as a kid, he would always play new music for me when he’d drop me off at school.

iHR: You just dropped a new track called "Never Be The Same," can you tell us a bit about the production on that?

JA: I wanted to make a song that I could play in all of my festival sets, something I knew my audience would like. I had the instrumental and melody down but needed a talented vocalist to bring it to life. I connected with Sara Benyo, who I had worked with in the past and she did just that. It’s been very well received. 

iHR: What are some of your current musical influences? How can fans expect those influences to come out in your future work?

JA: In the coming year I want to make my sound more accessible to a larger audience. I plan on working with more session writers and vocalists and scaling my sound for main stages. I’ll never lose the big bass drops that we all love so much but you will definitely notice a change in my future releases. 

IHR: You're just finishing up a pretty big tour, what are some of your favorite memories from that experience?

Honestly, seeing how many people have connected with my music in so many different cities across the world. People who sing along with my music, bring gifts, wear my merch, and want to take photos with me. It makes all of the hard work so much more worth it. 

iHR: What are some upcoming shows you're most excited for?

JA: Every show is exciting in its own way! But, if I had to pick one or two for the moment (that have been on my mind) it would have to be Tomorrowland in Belgium and Brazil! They are such new markets for me, and I am really excited about how that will go down!

iHR: Tell us about how you got involved in fashion?

JA: I’ve always loved expressing myself with the outfits I wear, it’s an art form in itself. I try to be unique in the way I do that and over the years it’s been noticed by others in the industry. I’ve had a long-term relationship with Adidas that has continued to grow over the years. They help me satisfy my sneaker addiction. 

iHR: What are some of your favorite rave and festival styles?

JA: I like to be comfortable at raves but also fully express myself without limits. To me, that is typically sporty, loose-fitting outfits that keep me cool and don’t restrict my movements, especially when I am performing. I also love to layer, that way I have options when it gets colder or warmer throughout the day. 

iHR: What does festival fashion mean to you? 

JA: Festival fashion should be expression free of judgement. It’s a time to share our vision and art with one another, inspire one another and grow together.  

iHR: What does rave and dance music culture mean to you?

JA: Rave and Dance culture has given me a platform to be myself and to express myself fully. There is no feeling like it and nothing that can replace it. It’s my home no matter where I go. 

iHR: If you made one piece of kandi today, what would it say?

JA: NO MAMES!

DIY totem poles for music festivals are fun, creative, and a great way to get spotted in the crowd. Having been to so many festivals, I’ve seen so many creative rave totems that it inspired me to make my own! If you’re wondering how to make a totem pole, follow this guide for important key steps in making the perfect rave totem.

How to Make a DIY Totem Pole for Music Festivals

1. Create the Base
2. Craft the Head
3. Make it Stand Out

1. Creating the Base of the Totem

Music festival totems need a sturdy base otherwise they're going to break. Trust me. There are many options for choosing what to use as the pole of the totem, such as wooden dowels from craft stores, mini portable flagpoles, telescoping pool poles, PVC pipes- essentially any long pole that is strong enough to hold the head of the totem as well as withstand multiple festivals. I searched for a pole online with the keyword “telescoping”. I recommend looking for a pole that is telescoping because it makes carrying and transporting your totem much easier, especially if you’re flying with your totem! The pole I went with was something that was approximately 2 feet long when collapsed and stretched to about 4 feet long when extended out. This was the perfect option for me; it was lightweight, long and easy for me to fit into my luggage, especially since I travel and fly around a lot for festivals (catch my totem pole at Bass Canyon and Electric Zoo!). It was pretty affordable, too - about $9. 

2. Crafting the Head of the Totem

It was my first time making a totem and there were so many different options to make. I wanted to something eye-catching, yet simple, so I went with an animal totem. I figured totem animals were relatively easy for a first totem, so I found an image of a cute dog and did some photoshopping myself to make this dog festival ready!

I then saved the image and searched up places to do large poster prints of the image I created. OfficeMax offered a cheap option that printed my picture on a large poster option (18" x 24")  for less than $15! It was pretty impressive in size, especially for the cost.

I pasted my poster image on to a piece of cardboard that I cut out perfectly to the outline of the image. I went ahead and glued the poster onto the cardboard. On the back of the poster, I used some scraps of the remaining cardboard to form a strap where the totem pole could be inserted and could be removed easily as well for easy transporting.

I was super satisfied with the outcome of my first totem: it was large and so easy to carry and take apart for traveling, which fit all of my needs.

3. Making Your Totem Pole Stand Out

For my totem pole, I wanted it to light up so I found some LED lights on Amazon. The ones that I bought were great because they were battery operated and also waterproof.

LED lights from Amazon

I added them to the edge of my totem so it would be colorful and lit all around!

These lights were awesome because there were multiple colors and could be operated to cycle through the colors on its own.

Additional Tips to Make Your Totem Stand Out in the Crowd!

A festival totem is great for expressing your creative side so take this as an opportunity to do so! Not to mention, the more creative your totem pole is, the more photos it will likely end up in. There are endless options for how to make your totem unique: glitter, faux flowers, colorful faux fur, lights, stuffed animals, jewels, etc.

You can even make your totem very punny!

Create a funny slogan or print a picture of your favorite DJ. Photo Credit: Fest Fashions

Take your favorite characters on a trip with you. Photo Credit: @loveraving

A simple and cute idea for a totem - add a cute stuffed animal to the totem pole! Photo Credit: Fest Fashions

Photo Credit: Insomniac Events/EDC Orlando

The list is endless! Take a trip to your local craft store and you can find loads of items to take your totem to the next level. Using hashtags on social media platforms can give you inspiration from a bunch of photos of other people’s totems.

Making my first rave totem was definitely a fun experience for me and allowed me to express my creative side. Festivals are a place where people are free to express themselves, whether that’s through the clothes ravers wear, the kandi they trade, the totems they make, the flags they fly. So go and get creative! Make a totem of your favorite image or meme for the festival season; who knows who will see your festival totem or where photos of it might end up. If you see my totem at Bass Canyon or Electric Zoo, be sure to stop by and say hi and let’s headbang together!

Last Updated: 7/3/19 by Leonard Pulig