Hey there, raver! Or are you? Because Electronic Dance Music is what’s hugely popular nowadays and people cannot seem to get enough of Diplo, The Chainsmokers, Illenium, Martin Garrix, and Marshmello, many consider themselves a raver without even knowing what it actually is.

Many assume that raving is all about the drugs, the booze, the public displays of affection, and the unbearable communal toilets but maybe that’s because people who frequently go to rave parties get it all wrong in the first place. So, we put up this blog post for first-time ravers, mostly, and for rave repeaters who are all lost and still don’t have an idea what they’re supposed to be doing during rave parties. 

Learn the Language

Here are some rave slang you should learn and embrace:

P.L.U.R. stands for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. Bottomline of all these etiquette is to embody the P.L.U.R. principle which is basically how you treat other people at rave parties.

Kandi are colorful beads turned into bracelets and necklaces that are traded or given to other ravers at rave parties.

Rage means to dance and party as hard as you can.

Molly - If ever you are asked “Have you seen Molly?” at rave parties, know that they’re not looking for a friend or their sister, or their aunt, or any person for that matter. Molly is an infamous rave party drug that heightens your senses and can therefore amplify the music and the lights around you.

Never Be Too High Nor Drunk

Believe it or not, you can party hard at raves without getting too wasted and contrary to popular belief, rave parties are not all about the drugs and the booze. Sure, these may be a part of the culture but you don’t ever have to pressure yourself to drink and get high when you don’t want to do so. You can politely say ‘no’, you know.

Aside from this, you should never consume booze nor drugs more than what you can handle. Remember that rave parties end and one way or another, you have to get home and this takes travelling and travelling with other people. These people - drivers, your friends in the same car, or passengers on public transports - who may not be as drunk and as high as you are - may not be comfortable being around someone who is. Spare them the second-hand embarrassment.

Put Away Your Phone

There are more things brighter, shinier, and more entertaining to stare at at rave parties than your phone screen. There are laser lights. Glow sticks and LED gloves are everywhere. Disco balls (yes, still a thing) are right there in front of you. It’s a pity you’re too busy taking selfies and videos and not reliving the moment, really.

Rave parties are an immersive experience. If the only reason you go to rave parties is to have an Instagram-worthy set of photos for your feeds, maybe raving isn’t really for you.

Dance Your Heart Out

If you’re doing it right, you go to rave parties largely because you want to enjoy good music and just sweat and dance your heart out. Doesn’t really matter if you’re a good dancer, you ain’t there to compete, you’re there to enjoy the moment, after all!

Dance like nobody’s watching you. Just let the good music flow through your body. Don’t even try dancing something you’re not comfortable with. Just go with flow and be as natural as you are.

Dress to express yourself

Rave and festival culture isn't just about the music. You can wear whatever you want. Rave is the one place where you can be yourself. There are a lot of options out there, though, so sometimes it's hard to decide what to wear. 

However, since your fellow ravers are practicing PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect), you shouldn't be stressed. No matter what you wear, anyone will be friendly and accepting to you. You might get some ideas about how to put together the ultimate rave outfit by looking at this guide.

Pack a Rave Bag!  

You can never be too prepared at a rave party and sometimes, being a pack rat isn’t always a bad idea. Make sure you have all the essentials - bandana, cash, phone, water bottle, Kandi, glow sticks, and whatever it is that will make raving more comfortable.

When choosing a rave bag, it should be spacious enough to fit all the things you need to bring with you; compact enough so it won’t get in the way of your dancing and enjoying the rave; and fashionable enough to bring out your fun style at rave parties. If you’re still looking for that perfect rave bag, check out our fanny packs and hydration packs at SoJourner Bags.