Why We Rave

I would like to talk to you about the subject of why we rave. I'll start by explaining some experiences I've had over the years, and the conclusions I've drawn from those experiences. Along the way I hope to dispel 3 misconceptions that are prevalent within the scene. Finally, I'll explain why I felt the need to discuss this.

So why do we rave? Ever since I first entered the scene I have been hearing ravers claim to be in it for the music. To this day, I hear people saying it and posting it online. In most cases, when a person claims to be in it for the music they are differentiating themselves from those in it for the drugs. This means that "I'm in it for the music" usually means "I'm not in it for the drugs". I don't believe most ravers are in it for the music. Let me clarify a bit, I don't believe most ravers are PRIMARILY in it for the music, but that doesn't mean I believe they are in it for the drugs either. This brings us to our first misconception regarding the rave scene; you're either in it for the music or in it for the drugs.

Music vs Drugs = Limited View

The notion that you are either in it for the music or in it for the drugs is a very limited view of the scene. The rave scene is more than just music and drugs. The rave scene is a package deal that includes the music, the OPTION to do drugs, dancing, socializing with strangers and friends, dressing up, and soaking up the atmosphere. The atmosphere can include underground warehouse clubs, luxurious mega-clubs, circus tent festivals, and open-field or wooded raves. I believe most ravers are in it for the package. In other words, most ravers are in it for the rave.

If we were to list these attributes from most favorite to least favorite, you would find that our individual preferences vary. I have realized over the years that socializing plays a greater role than we give it credit. If I asked you "Which is more important: the music or the drugs?", almost all of you would undoubtedly answer "the music". If I were to ask you "Which is more important: the music or your friends?", some of you may have to pause to consider this while others would instantly answer "my friends". What lead me to this belief?

In my early rave years, it used to bug me how many people had no desire to show up on time. Many wanted to wait until later when the party was kicking off, and many left when the party was starting to die down. I wanted to get there early to hear the first track, and didn't want to leave until the music stopped. There were many who would turn down parties with awesome lineups because their friends weren't going. Just recently I met a girl who told me she decides what parties to attend based on what friends are going.

When the club I originally attended regularly got shut down, they moved location to a nearby ski resort. Smoking was not allowed inside the venue. As a result, the DJs would spin to empty dance floors inside while 300+ people would congregate outside in the courtyard. To this day, I go to venues where smoking is prohibited inside and there are more people located in the smoking areas than there are where the music is playing. On many beautiful summer nights, I'll attend a local bar only to find a crowd of people outside on the sidewalk while the DJ spins to an empty dance floor. So you can see why I am skeptical that most ravers are primarily in it for the music when they spent most of the night away from it.

Raves are parties, and you don't have to appreciate EDM to appreciate partying. In fact, you don't even have to have music to party. We can all have a blast just being with our friends. This explains why parties can have horrible DJs and people can still enjoy themselves. Friendship is also the main reason why horrible DJs get booked.

Music vs Drugs = One Choice

The second misconception I wish to discuss is the notion that you're either in it for the music or in it for the drugs. I know this sounds like the last misconception but this time it's about having to choose one or the other. We like to assume that if a person is on drugs then they are not in it for the music.

Imagine walking up to guests at a wedding and telling them that they only came for the alcohol and could care less about the couple getting married. I'm sure you would offend quite a few people. Imagine approaching a die-hard sports fan at a sporting event and telling them they only came for the alcohol and don't really care about the team. That kind of attitude could get you beat up. The truth is that some people love alcohol and love sports, and combining the two allows them to enjoy the best of both worlds. The same can be said for the rave scene.

Before continuing on I must make you aware of something. Beef is legal to eat, yet considered immoral by Hindus. Pork is legal to eat, yet considered immoral by Muslims and Jews. Eating meat is considered immoral by some vegetarians and vegans. Premarital sex is condemned in many religions, yet legal in America. Americans are currently divided on subjects such as gay marriage, abortion, stem cell research, capital punishment, and euthanasia. Just because something is legal does not make it right, and just because something is illegal does not make it wrong. We need to stop assuming that drugs are bad because they are illegal, and we need stop seeing them as a negative side of the rave scene that we must be ashamed of.

I take pride in not confusing legality with morality. I condone some, but not all, illegal drugs. As such, I am not afraid to explain the positive benefits that can come from doing illegal drugs RESPONSIBLY at raves. Let us consider three reasons people enjoy raving: dancing, socializing, and the music. Consider an individual who loves to dance, but is afraid what others may think. Drugs, including alcohol, are known for lowering inhibitions. This can give the individual the courage to get out and dance. Some individuals love to socialize, but suffer from social anxiety. Again, drugs and alcohol give these individuals the strength to talk with complete strangers. This is why many consider themselves social drinkers. Drugs even allow people to talk about the most random subjects. Finally, we have the music. I don't care how much you love the music and don't need drugs to enjoy the music, that doesn't change the fact that music sounds phenomenally better under the influence of certain substances. So if you are like most ravers and enjoy the music, dancing, and socializing, you will find that drugs can enhance all three. Even the visuals that make up the atmosphere are enhanced. It is for these reasons that drugs and alcohol are popular at many social gatherings. Raves are not unique in this regard.

If you drink alcohol, YOU ARE A DRUG USER! If you are not ashamed of your alcohol usage, then you have no right being ashamed of drug use in the rave scene. If you justify alcohol usage because it is legal, then you have not been paying attention to what I said in the last two paragraphs.

You Must Dance

The final misconception common in the rave scene is the notion that if you are not dancing then you are not there for the music. I enjoy music when I drive, I enjoy music when I'm at work, and I enjoy music when I do chores around the house. I enjoy music while in bed, while sitting at my computer, and while going for walks. Obviously, this misconception is absurd. However, it is often used in conjunction with the previous misconception.

People often point the finger at ravers sitting off to the side getting back rubs while on E or glowstick shows while on LSD. They assume that since they are on drugs and not dancing they must not be in it for the music. Believe it or not, many of these individuals are more in tune with the music than the people dancing and socializing. Let me explain.

When I DJ at a bar, I often see people sitting in booths talking with their friends. I know that in order for them to focus on what the other is saying, they must tune me out. They may hear me, but they are not giving me their full attention, and I am perfectly fine with that. When I spin at raves and I see ravers sitting off to the side clearly on drugs, I notice their eyes are closed and they are usually swaying slightly. I know that that raver is hearing every note I play and feeling every bass frequency flow throughout their body. They aren't just hearing the music, they are feeling it as well. Consider also, the dancer who tires out and leaves the dance floor. Perhaps they wish to check up on their friends, or see what else is going on in the venue, or take a trip to the bar, or go outside for a smoke. The dancer may only hear half my set, while the drug user sitting there hears every single track I play. Most of you reading this probably never thought of that. I must confess, I prefer to spin to ravers on illegal drugs.

Lessons Learned

So I wrote this for a few reasons. One reason was to address these misconceptions I'm constantly hearing or reading about online. The other reason is to raise awareness that we have different priorities within the rave scene, and that in most cases socializing takes precedence over the music. This article is meant as an intro to future articles, and I want to make it known that I am well aware of our differences. I plan on discussing why quality control does not exist within the scene, and socializing plays a major role. I put music first, and you may not agree with some of my ideas for the scene, but I'm perfectly okay with that.

From now on, when someone claims to be in the scene for the music, point them to this article. The next time someone points to drugged up ravers and claims they are not in it for the music, point them to this article. The next time someone complains about drug usage in the scene, point them to this article.

I do plan on doing a video blog version of this for those who do not like to read. If you have enjoyed this, feel free to share it with others.

Josiah Cochran
May 17, 2012