Electronic Dance Music (or more commonly known as EDM) tends to get a bad rep, and some think that it sounds like an old dial-up connection. However, those of you who have experienced it know that EDM is more than just music and is starting to form a culture around it. I started to like EDM a few years back, and up until this year, I had only been to a few shows. I could never really understand what the big deal was about the shows, or what “PLUR" meant until I went to a show with a bunch of my friends and fully realized what the hype was around it.
For starters, the music has so much energy. It gets you to just want to start moving and grooving to the beat. With the colorful light shows and the energetic DJs, you're bound to have a good time. Everyone there just wants to have a good time and enjoy the music, which brings me to my point of PLUR.
PLUR is an acronym, which stands for "Peace, Love, Unity and Respect." This is what brings people together, fosters relationships and shows how people should act at these shows. PLUR is what usually takes precedent over the music and dancing because you want everyone to have fun, be respected, and all have a wicked time together. Let's be honest, if everyone showed PLUR all the time, the world would be a better place, because who doesn't want Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect?
Another reason why EDM brings people together is that it's a non-judgmental environment. People wear crazy outfits, normal clothes — pretty much whatever they want. No one cares what you decide to wear because the freedom of self-expression and creativity is shown. For me, I like to wear leggings (or shorts depending on the season), a tank top, and a headband (because the warmest room you'll ever be in other than a sauna is probably the Main Stage at Skyway).
Every time I talk to people about EDM, I always try to convince them to come to a show to see what it's all about. I don't think that people will ever know what it's about until they experience it for themselves. These shows express so many good vibes/positive energies and an overall sense of community. I have made so many good friends from attending these shows that I do think that EDM really does bring people together. EDM is more than just music; it brings groups of people together.
