Raving is one of my favorite weekend activities. I love everything about it; the music, the bass, the lasers, the visuals, and the people. Every part of the atmosphere adds up to make each experience unforgettable. These shows are always a great time, but if you have never been to one, here are some tips to make sure you make the most of your experience.
1. Prepare for a physical tribulation.
If you do it right, it is likely that your whole body, especially your legs, neck, and back are going to be sore the next day. That means, especially if it is your first time, you’re going to want to skip the gym that day, make sure to get plenty of quality food, and – most importantly – hydrate all day leading up to the event.
2. Hydrate
Bring a container to hold water, ideally a camelback if these are permitted in the event. If you’re a girl going with your boyfriend just make him carry all your water and anything else you need (My wife is a pro at this).
3. Check the Venue Rules Prior to Attending the Event
These can usually be found on the event’s website. It is important to check these because all events have different rules. Some events allow bags, others only allow clear bags, while some don’t allow bags at all. There are also rules about other things permitted and prohibited, such as LED lights, hoops, food, etc.
4. Get Weird
Honestly, this is the key to having a killer time at a rave. Truth is, you’re not going to look cool if you’re having fun at a rave. If the lights were on you would probably look like a cross between someone doing the chicken dance and having a seizure (well, at least I’m pretty sure that’s what I look like). But hey, the lights are off, and no one cares. So when the bass drops get funky, and when your vibing with the music, put your hands in the air and just enjoy it. Sure, if you’re with your friends they might even laugh a little at first, but I promise you that almost everyone is thinking, “Wow, I wish I could be having as much fun as that guy”. With raves, you get out what you put in; If you try to have a good time, be outgoing, and get into the music, you’re going to have a blast. If you stand there quiet and are afraid of looking weird or being embarrassed, you might not have the best time.
5. Make a New Friend.
I am a pretty introverted guy most of the time. I don’t love talking to new people or making new friends, but at raves I become the opposite. Something about the atmosphere and the type of people there makes it easy to talk to almost anyone. Especially if you don’t go with a huge group of friends, it is a lot of fun to become friends with everyone around you, and by the end of the night you are all dancing and being super weird together; its one of my favorite things about raves.
6. Head Bang.
If there is a dubstep artist, or the artist plays some dubstep, try to headbang. Hey, it might feel weird, but I promise that if you get into it, it will make you enjoy the music that much more. There will probably be some “bassheads” around you who are super into head banging, so just follow their lead, and try to get in a circle with them. This is another great way to make friends who you can hang out with for the rest of the night!
7. Don’t get super messed up.
You can have fun sober, but drinking might help if it’s your first time. Raves take a lot of energy, you have to be outgoing, and you have to stand the whole time. Since I have been to a lot, I can have a blast with just a 5-hour energy or red bull. The moral of this story is you can have fun at a show whether you are sober or not, but definitely don’t get super drunk because then you would probably ruin it for yourself and you will probably annoy a lot of other people.
8. Beware of the mosh pits.
Depending on the artist, there will be mosh pits. They can be fun, and usually are completely safe, with just some dudes jumping around with some other dudes. They can be dangerous sometimes, so if you’re willing to risk some bodily harm, get in there and push some dudes around, but don’t be surprised if you get hurt in the process. If you don’t want to get involved, kindly get to the side of the circle. The pit will probably close within a few minutes.
9. Don’t forget to Snapchat.
Two reasons for this tip. First, you obviously want to show your friends, acquaintances, and whoever happens to be friends with you on Snapchat that you are super cool for going to a rave. Two, it’s cool to have some videos to look back on, but it is nice to only have to worry about taking a short video.
10. Dress Correctly.
Don’t be the person who shows up in jeans and a sweatshirt; you’re going to sweat straight through them and it won’t be comfortable. Wear something that you won’t overheat in, something that you feel comfortable dancing the night away in. Also remember that you don’t have to go practically naked to fit in like you might see people dressed in ads or promo videos for the event. There are plenty of people who dress conservatively at raves, so don’t feel like you will look like the odd one out.
11. Don’t be a creep.
This one applies to mostly dudes. A lot of attendees are there to solely have a good night with their friends, so don’t be the creep who ruins a good time by randomly trying to dance upon them, feel them up, or kiss them. If you do want to do these things at a rave, consent is key. Don’t be afraid to ask someone if they want to dance or if they have a boyfriend before trying to make a move unless you want to go home with a black eye from a rightfully pissed off girl.
