Wdym, Festival Culture?
This has come up a couple of times recently as I turn to explain the chaotic nuances that come with music festivals and raves. And yes, there are a few distinct differences. Music festivals bring out an undying spark in people that is damn near impossible to explain, without having experienced it firsthand. My first experience at a festival, all I could think was that I was in a bubble, and that everyone was here for the same thing… to have fun. Nothing and no one would get in the way of that, because everybody was looking out for each other. At first, I thought this was isolated to Coachella (my first festival), but as I branched out and tried my hands at different productions, it dawned on me. This sort of mentality ran rampant, no matter which festival you attend.
The power of the mob is no joke, and when everyone has adopted a see something, say something mentality, the occasional negative outcome becomes few and far between. People look out for their strangers, whether it’s sharing water, carrying someone to medical, or turning in items to the lost & found. It’s a peculiar kind of magic how the power of music truly brings out the best in people. We embrace the struggle together, and put in the collective effort to ensure that the experience is both enjoyable and memorable for all. This sensation is only amplified when you share it with friends and loved ones. For those that run solo, there is every opportunity to make a connection with someone new. It could be as simple as standing next to the right person in the crowd.
Yes, with every up comes its down (interpret that how you will), and to that point, there are certain things to keep in mind. Sharing of water and other consumables should be done with cautious optimism, naturally. When venturing into the crowd, there is always an off chance of running into a pick-pocket, so be sure to keep your valuables safely tucked away. And always remain cognizant of the fact that many of your fellow attendees are likely less than sober. This shouldn’t affect you too much, but it never hurts to be prepared for a variety of outcomes. I would argue that for most part, festivals are extremely safe, and that comes in no small part due to the efforts of our volunteers and safety teams. The next time you see them roaming around, be sure to give them a friendly nod, or sprout them in appreciation.
Which brings me to my next point: kandi and trinket trading. I could go on for days about the art of trading trinkets at festivals, but I will save that for another day. This one is definitely more geared towards our ravers and dance music lovers. Before delving too deep into this, allow me to explore the concept of “PLUR” for our newcomers. Plur is an acronym, meaning Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. It may seem silly at first, but it truly represents the core values of raving culture. Plus, it sounds like a laser… another key feature of rave culture ;) What it boils down to is similar to what I have mentioned before. Looking out for your neighbors, being respectful of our differences, and just coming together to enjoy the show. This is such a core concept of rave culture that the community has created a universally recognized secret handshake, and tradition of trading kandi with strangers that you connect with. Even if it is something as simple as “Dude, sick pashmina!” Aside from trading kandi, festival lovers have developed a taste for trading trinkets. This is a little more ambiguous, as a trinket doesn’t necessarily have to be any specific thing. Typically, the trinket is representative of the person giving the item out. Mine, for example, is a polaroid. If I connect with someone, I snap a picture for them, sign the back (brand exposure), and give them a sprout. If I am fortunate enough, I would then receive some small token of gratitude in exchange. This could be a variety of things such as a mini rubber duck, a finger sock puppet, a tarot card, to a teddy bear. The sprouts that I keep bringing up are fun little plastic sprouts, hot-glued to hair clips, that you can clip on to someone either in a secret, subtle appreciation, or in exchange during a trinket trade. This universal language is held so dearly by the community, that I feel guilty if I attend a show without them now. File it under the cost of admission. I actually just sprouted a man wearing a Care Bear onesie with his partner, and he broke out in tears. He told me that he had been to a bunch of festivals that year, and he never got sprouted. He proceeded to give me big ol’ Care Bear hug, picking me up off the ground and cracking my back in the process. Moral of the story: engage in the culture. It’s fun!
Speaking of outfits, festival fashion is so liberating. At a festival you are free to express yourself however you see fit, pun intended. Girls are safe to wear whatever makes them feel best about themselves, men can run around shirtless with body paint, and couples are free to wear extravagant matching outfits to celebrate their bond. As a festival photographer, it is practically an obligation to dress and play the part, because if I am going to be in front of all of these fabulously dressed icons on the rail, I assure you I will look as good as the rest of them. Or I will do my best at the very least. It ain’t cheap, but again… that’s just part of the cost of admission. It may not be for everyone, but I promise that it is more exciting swimming with the current than against it. Worst case scenario? Your memories have a little more flair than if you rolled up as just some guy in a shirt. Festival vets will also always, always, always have a bag. Sure, practically speaking, it will more often than not be a hydro pack, and just serve as a place to safely lock up your belongings. This is where we store our trinkets for trading and sweatpants to change into when it gets too damn cold to have your ass out. For those of us that are engrossed in the culture? It’s a bag of tricks. A fan favorite of mine? Essential oils to douse the hand fan and wake up the crowd around you with a refreshing wind of menthol (yes, that was another pun). The best trick that I ever pulled out of my bag? A brand new, shimmering pink and purple pashmina for a friend who didn’t have one. It was a pay it forward kind of gesture, mimicking how I was gifted my first pashmina… I still bring it with me everywhere I go. Not only is it functional, but it has become one of my most cherished possessions, and that simple act sparked a fire in me to become that kind of person for others.
Digging deeper, I think that this is part of the reason I became a festival photographer in the first place. Creating moments for others has always been a love language of mine, but being able to then also capture it and deliver it to them as something they will then love and cherish forever? That is where the magic happens, at least for me. Before I ever picked up a camera, I remember moments like dancing with my first stranger, getting my first glove light show, and seeing a dragon poi performer for the first time. One of my favorite memories that I was able to deliver for people is sitting on top of my car in the parking lot outside the venue, windows down, lo-fi blaring, wrapped in a blanket scrolling through pictures from the night with my partner. I watched as people looked at us and smiled, nodding their appreciation for the slow jams to help unwind the energy from the rave… I make it a point to arrive early and park in the front and recreate that for others whenever I get the chance. These days I am going through footage on my camera rather than my phone though. Every now and then I will catch a good moment from a group as they make their way to their cars, still smiling and raving about the time they had.
Festival culture has so much to offer, and is so often misrepresented by a few bad cases. It only takes one story of a phone getting stolen, or a trip to the hospital to leave a stain on the weekend. I think that is why the bubble exists. We all want to protect and enforce that sense of wonder, so that we can keep coming back, time and time again. The community also has developed a sense of “passing the torch” to the younger generation, and each generation builds on the last. It can be seen in the eras of festival fashion, music, and even the production value itself as time has pressed on. There is a reason millions of people flock to festivals every year.
It is something worth being a part of, and once you get a taste, it will change your life forever.
