The Do’s of Rave Etiquette:

1.) Do make sure you say excuse me when trying to get through the crowds.

You’d think it’s common courtesy but you’d be surprised at how many people just shove through and it really kills the vibe! Whether you are trying to get up to the rail or trying to make sure you stick with your rave fam, it’s likely you’ll need to make your way through the sea of people at some point during the event. The best way to do this is simply saying “excuse me” or “sorry” while trying to squeeze past people. (We’ve even seen people write “excuse me” in big letters on their phone!) We want to make sure we are keeping things PLUR – which brings us to our next point.

2.) Do learn about what PLUR is and live by it! 

PLUR stands for Peace, Love, Unity & Respect. It’s the foundation on which the community was built on and some veteran ravers feel like it’s dying. It’s up to us to teach the rave babies, so here we are doing our part! When you go to a rave you will be around all different types of people, expressing themselves in all different kinds of ways. This community is a safe space for ALL. We don’t judge or criticize, and as the saying goes – “Treat others the way you want to be treated”. Some easy ways to spread PLUR vibes while you are at a show or festival:

• Compliment someones outfit or totem
• If someone looks like they are lost or struggling – ask them if they need help
• Apologize if you bump into someone 
• Make kandi to trade with people you have good interactions with (more on this later)

At the end of the day, we are all at these events sharing a love of the music. But what makes this community so special is all the extra little interactions that happen randomly and organically. Let’s keep spreading the PLUR vibes shall we? 

A common ritual that goes along with the PLUR acronym is trading kandi. Kandi are bracelets commonly made with pony beads that have silly or uplifting sayings on them such as “happy ur here” “rave 2 the grave” “positive vibes” etc. Usually you spend time with your friends/rave fam making a couple before you go out, and then when you’re at the rave or festival, if you have an interaction that sticks out to you, you can ask to trade kandi! It makes the moment all the more special and then you have a relic to take home with you so that you can remember them forever! These days less and less people show up with kandi to trade, but I always make sure if that happens I still insist on giving them one of mine and showing them how exactly to trade. Yes that’s right, there is a “right” way to exchange the kandi bracelets! Lets learn:

First you bring the kandi you want to trade to the lowest part of your wrist. Then, you and the other person make a “peace” sign with your hands and touch your pointer and middle fingers together. This represents the “Peace” in PLUR. Then, you make half of a heart motion with that same hand and touch with the other person to make a full heart. This represents “Love”. Following that you will touch those same hands together in a high five motion, which represents “Unity”. Finally, you will interlock your fingers, representing “Respect” and then move the kandi bracelet from your hand to the other person. If they have a kandi to trade back, they will then move theirs onto your hand (without going through the motions again). And there you have it, that is how to trade kandi!   

3.) Do make sure you look after the people in your group and NEVER leave anyone behind. 

Every now and then you’ll experience that one friend who went a little too hard too fast and is now out of control, or passed out, or throwing up. What do you do? Well, most festivals have a medical tent you can take them to. You can also offer them water, to hold their hair, or try to get them to sit down. We understand that missing a set could be upsetting, but you should always stick with your friends and make sure they are okay! This also applies if you see someone in the crowd who may be struggling. Ask them if they are okay, if they need help, if they need water or to sit down. We are all one big family and it’s so important to act like it!