Raves can be an insane experience. From the hundreds or even thousands of people partying in one place to the strong beats and mesmerizing strobe lights, a rave is something you’ll want to experience at some point.
If you have the opportunity to attend a major event or a DJ world tour, you’ll want to keep these six rave survival tips in mind.
Tips to Attend a Rave
Research Your Rave
Not all raves are equal. Before you commit to a rave, you’ll want to find out more about the rave. For example, trap, house, electronic, and techno are just some of the types of music you’ll find played at raves.
While raves are focused on offering a specific type of experience, it can be helpful to look at the music you’ll be hearing while you’re there.
If you’re attending because you’re interested in the rave scene, or because you have friends attending, you’ll want to keep this acronym in mind: P.L.U.R.R. It was created by the rave community and stands for “Peace, Love, Unity, Respect, and Responsibility.” Whether you’re attending your first rave or are a veteran, you’ll want to keep these principles in mind.
Dress Appropriately
There are going to be many sweaty people moving around you during a rave. It’s also likely that you’ll be dancing all night long. That’s why you’ll want to choose clothing that will keep you comfortable. It’s standard for raves to be held in outdoor spaces or massive warehouses, which is why heels should be avoided.
Heels might look great, but they can be a huge hassle at a rave. Instead, you’ll want to wear shoes that will keep you comfortable. Bare feet should be avoided at all costs. Otherwise, you could wind up stepping in vomit or worse.
Shorts are a great option, as are shirts that are cropped or sleeveless. Breathable fabrics like cotton are an excellent option. You’ll want to pack a change of clothes as well.
You could get sweaty over the course of the night, and it’s possible you could get rained on as well.
A rave can go on for hours or more, which is why you should focus on staying comfortable. Of course you will want to add spoke fun accessories to your outfit, glow necklaces are a must at a rave.
Hydration is Key
It’s important to stay hydrated during a rave, and that doesn’t mean you should down lots of alcohol. You need to make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the night.
A rave can go on for a long time, and it can cause you to sweat heavily. That’s why you’ll want to make sure you stay well-hydrated. It’s a good idea to bring water and energy drinks along with you. You may even want to pack some snacks so that you can keep your energy levels high throughout the evening.
You don’t need to worry if you can’t bring bottled water or snacks with you. It’s standard for rave venues to have stalls where you can grab food and drinks.
Have a Place to Meet Up
If you’re going to a rave in a group, it’s important to decide on a meeting place. Raves attract massive audience, and it’s easy for people to get separated in the crowds.
You may not have reception on your mobile devices either, which is why you’ll want to settle on a spot that everyone will meet up at when the rave winds down. You could agree to meet near the entrance or over by the food stalls.
No matter where you decide to meet, you’ll want to make sure you have an easy way to find your friends.
If it’s allowed, you could also try bringing balloons filled with helium with you. Attach your balloons to your belt loops or your bag and ask your friends to do that as well. This will make it easy for you to find each other, even from a long distance away.
Never Accept Beverages or Food from Strangers
You can meet all kinds of interesting people at raves. However, if you don’t know someone personally, you should never accept food or drink from them. It’s possible that they’re offering you something that’s laced with illicit substances.
It’s better to stay cautious and be aware of what you’re consuming.
Try to Connect With people
People at raves tend to be friendly. You should take advantage of this opportunity and get to know all kinds of people.
That doesn’t mean you should stay around people that are making you uncomfortable. If people are trying to touch you or just standing to close, don’t be afraid to walk away and find another spot to have fun.
However, you should strike up conversations and dance with people that you’ve never met before. Make sure you have fun when you’re on your own too.
Raves are all about having fun. If you start dancing by yourself, other people might even come and join you!