By: Maria Alves (@chubbiwubbi)
Almost everybody who has been to a music festival, especially an EDM festival, can say it's a life-altering, life-enhancing, magical experience. You see it on Instagram, you read about it on Twitter, you second-hand experience the glamour on YouTube. The outfits, the colors, the lights, the sound, the food, the culture. Whether you're rocking festival bodysuits or putting together matching rave outfits with your crew, festivals are where self-expression comes alive. Explore our full collection of rave outfits & festival wear for more festival-ready styles.
But what about what isn't shown to you? What about the uncomfortable bits, the ugly bits, the dangerous bits? The reality that exists behind the perfectly curated Instagram grids and highlight reels?
Most large and popular rave brands and companies discourage their ambassadors from sharing the unglamorous bits of festival experiences. They ask them to refrain from showing security, long lines, trash, bathroom situations, drug (ab)use, violence, and anything that isn't shiny, beautiful, and fun. But at Freedom Rave Wear, we believe in keeping it real with our rave fam.
If you've been to a festival, you may agree that they aren't always as sparkly as they're portrayed. Keep in mind, this isn't to negate that they are also amazing experiences. I'm here to shed light, solidarity, and advice on how to deal with uncomfortable, unglamorous festival truths that every raver should know before they step onto the festival grounds.
1. Security: Know Your Rights and Protect Yourself
Sometimes, festivals will hire volunteers to work security, sometimes it's through a security company, sometimes it's independent hires. Regardless of where they come from, security can range from breezy and beautiful to traumatic and invasive. There are too many accounts of people experiencing being touched inappropriately/excessively and being mistreated by festival security. My advice to you is to have your phone either audio recording or video recording your transaction through security. It seems tedious and you may think it's not for you, but too many times people are discredited in their negative experience with security. Just to be safe, give yourself evidence of your experience.
To make moving through security easier, I recommend a clear hydration bag and fanny pack - it can eliminate the need for them to unzip and dig through all of your belongings and can speed up the process. If this isn't something you want to do, that's okay! You can always prepare by having your bags unzipped all ready for them to look through, as well as having your belongings stowed away in small clear bags. Reusable ones exist or ziplock also suffices - this also makes it easier for them and for the people waiting behind you.
They offer same-gender frisks, and you are always encouraged to speak up when a security guard is too handsy. Do not allow anyone to mistreat your body. Do not fear their role or their title. Speak up! If not right away, then to a point of authority or even your friends. They are all there to support you. Remember: you have rights, even at a festival. Security is there to keep everyone safe, not to violate your boundaries.
2. Long Lines: Patience, Preparation, and Making the Wait Part of the Experience
This can be cumbersome for so many reasons. Anticipation and weather being two of the most prominent ones. As for anticipation, there isn't much you can do to process this other than practicing patience and embracing the moment for the beauty it holds. Make friends with your linemates, trade Kandi and rave stories, talk about the lineup and who you're excited to see. These are your people - the ones who understand why you spent hours putting together the perfect rave outfit, why you drove across state lines, why this matters so much.
As for the weather, always be prepared. It's better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Although in these environments, your neighbors are far more likely to share with you. All you have to do is ask. Festival culture is built on this kind of generosity - the unspoken agreement that we take care of each other.
Hot, Sunny Day Survival
For hot, sunny days, bring a water bottle (refillable with a clasp you can attach to your bags or belt) or a plastic one works fine. Stay hydrated in line, but avoid filling your hydration bag unless you're sure you can drink it all before your turn at security. They will make you empty your bags and that just takes time away from everyone. You can also invest in a fan, sunblock, and a parasol. Parasol translates directly to "stop the sun" and serves as a light and often aesthetically appealing sunblock solution. It offers shade to you and possibly one other mate in line. The fan will help cool yourself and your neighbors and the sunblock, well, that's obvious.
Pro tip: If you're wearing rave bodysuits or other form-fitting pieces, apply sunblock BEFORE you get dressed. Trust me on this one - trying to reach that spot between your shoulder blades while wearing a sequined bodysuit in a crowded line is not the vibe.
Weather Contingencies
For rainy waits, invest in a poncho or an umbrella. For cold waits? A hoodie/sweater/blanket works wonders. If you don't want to carry it in your backpack all day, you can always rent a locker at the festival. Many ravers keep a lightweight layer in their bag - something that compresses small but provides warmth when the desert or mountain temperatures drop after sunset.
Keep Your Phone Alive
Long waits may also encourage you to be on your phone, which obviously will drain that precious battery life. The best solution for this is a portable charger. You can buy one from WalMart or online, but my personal recommendation is going to be to buy one from SwftCharger. SwiftCharger is a reusable energy company that offers you infinitely interchangeable power for your phone. You purchase it online for your next festival and if they have a vendor booth there, all you have to do is turn in your dead charger and they hand you a brand new, fully charged one. You can do this as many times as needed throughout the entire festival and in the end, you get to take home the last one you have. You can check them out at www.swftcharge.com and my code WUBBI saves you money at checkout! They're a small business with amazing employees and reps that made my Lost Lands experience truly magical.
3. Trash: Leave No Trace, Build the Culture We Want to See
This is a big one for all of us, in and out of festival experiences. Since we are in this cultivated space of peace, love, unity, and respect, please feel empowered to embody each of those traits with every chance you make. Bring an empty trash bag and a set of gloves with you into the festival. Save it for the end and pick up trash on your way out. The service you're doing is generous beyond compare and is so greatly appreciated by those around you. You'd be happily surprised to see how influential your kindness and selflessness can be, and how you inspire others to help clean up with you.
If you're camping, spend at least 10 minutes every morning picking up all your trash. All the itty bitty pieces - the glitter (use biodegradable only!), the bottle caps, the torn pieces of festival pashminas that caught on something. Encourage your campmates to do the same. Less trash means less visual clutter which will allow you to stay clear and focused! Plus, it's a small act of gratitude to the land that's hosting us and the crews who work tirelessly to keep festival grounds safe.
Remember: the festival grounds are a temporary home for thousands of people. Treat them with the respect you'd want for your own space. The rave community is built on mutual respect - let's extend that to our environment too.
4. Bathroom Situations: Survival Tactics for Porta Potties
Porta potties can be a triathlon to survive. We cannot control how others treat those spaces, but we can control how we treat them. Here's your survival guide:
Essential Bathroom Survival Tips
a. Booty Wipes is an amazing individually packaged wet wipes made to be 100% biodegradable and paraben-free. They're only $10 for a box of 30 and are more useful than you'll know. Other than their intended purpose, they serve as great facial wipes and hand wipes after eating. These wipes come in handy when there's no toilet paper in your chosen stall. You can purchase a box of 30 wipes for $10 at www.bootywipes.com and you can save money using my code CHUBBIWUBBI.
b. Take a light with you. You may not like what you see but it's better than going in the dark. Use toilet paper to clean your seat and lay a foundational layer between you and any surfaces your bits will touch. If you don't mind sacrificing the water, you can pour a water bottle on the floor to clean it a bit before pulling down all your clothes that might touch the floor or the sidings. Take the time, do the work. Your future self will thank you.
c. Put the lid down when you're done. This helps with ventilation and will do a great service to whoever goes in after you. This simple act of consideration can make someone else's experience exponentially better.
d. Take the time to clean up after yourself. This kindness goes a long way when it comes to all the people who have to use that space after you. Do your part! Take the time! If you're wearing elaborate rave clothing with lots of straps, ties, or layers, plan ahead - give yourself extra time and be strategic about how you navigate the space.
e. Strategic timing matters. The bathrooms closest to the main stages get destroyed quickly, especially during set changes when everyone rushes at once. Walk a little further to less-trafficked porta potties, or time your bathroom breaks during performances when lines are shorter. Early morning bathrooms are typically the cleanest - take advantage of that golden window.
5. Drug (Ab)use: Real Talk About Harm Reduction
This is the largest elephant of all. Drugs make their way into festivals. It is what it is. To pretend like they don't or to turn away from this conversation is IRRESPONSIBLE.
I recently was given an opportunity to have this conversation at a festival, and the security patrolling the area of my workshop heard me and demonized my group for mentioning drugs. But silence doesn't keep anyone safe - education does.
Testing and Harm Reduction
If you are taking drugs at a festival, please find a way to get your items tested. It takes time and effort, but not nearly as much time and effort it would take to recover from taking something detrimental to your health. Many festivals now have testing tents or organizations like DanceSafe present specifically for this purpose. Use them. Your life is worth the extra 15 minutes.
My favorite expression when it comes to self-dosing on any substance is that you can always take more, but you cannot take less. Be aware of what you're doing to your brain and body, pace yourself, and take it in small strides. You will be amazed at how well micro-dosing works for your experience, in all aspects. Start low, go slow - this applies to everything from alcohol to other substances.
Know What You're Taking
Research the side effects of each substance. Research what substances exist to imitate the effects of the original. These research chemicals can be more damaging to the natural chemical balancing of your brain than anything else. Getting too lit is not worth your mental and physical well being. Turn down for what? For the conscious knowledge of your well being, that's for what.
Fentanyl is increasingly being found in substances that traditionally never contained it. This is not a scare tactic - this is the reality of the current drug supply. Test strips are available, affordable, and can literally save your life. Carry them. Use them. Encourage your friends to do the same.
Supplements and Recovery
You can also take vitamins and supplements that are created with your mind in mind. A fan favorite is 5-HTP, which alone can help assist in the release of serotonin in the brain; a chemical that plays a huge role in mood balancing.
My favorite, however, is RaveAid. RaveAid is a raver's multivitamin made up of the perfect balance of all sorts of vitamins needed to keep your brain, heart, and body supported through your festival experience. You can purchase RaveAid through www.raveaid.com and save 10% off with my code CHUBBIWUBBI.
Looking Out for Each Other
If you are with someone who seems to be going too far, speak up. Talk to them calmly, kindly, and without judgment. You can't control how they react, but at least you let them know you care and are there to support them when they need you. Watch for signs: confusion, overheating, extreme dehydration, inability to communicate clearly, or loss of consciousness.
If you see a medical cart, move directly and immediately out of its path. If you're able, help clear a path by holding your arms out and helping to make others around you aware of the situation. Time matters in medical emergencies - every second you help create clear passage could save someone's life.
KNOW WHERE MEDICAL IS. KNOW TO TRUST THEM AND TO TRUST PEOPLE WHO THINK YOU NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION. From a scrape or cut to a hangover to the extremity of overdosing and seizing, MEDICAL IS THERE TO ENSURE YOUR SAFETY and that you make it out of the festival ALIVE. Medical staff are not there to get you in trouble - they're there to keep you breathing. In most cases, Good Samaritan laws protect both the person seeking help and the person receiving it.
6. Violence: Mosh Pits, Boundaries, and Knowing When to Get Out
People are allowed to enjoy mosh pits. People are allowed to release and rage the way they need to heal and feel themselves. But be aware of your surroundings. Know your boundaries. Trust your intuition. Remove yourself from a mosh pit, regardless of how good your spot is, if it means you remove yourself from danger.
I had to carry a very tall, very muscular man out of a mosh pit at a festival because someone or something busted his head open right at his eyebrow. He was bleeding profusely and was in such a state of shock that he wanted to continue moshing even though he was blinded by the blood pouring into his eyes. Trust people who want to take care of you. Trust yourself to know when to get the f*ck out of a dangerous situation.
Mosh Pit Etiquette and Safety
There's an unspoken code in mosh pits: if someone falls, you pick them up. Immediately. No questions asked. If someone loses something - phone, rave scarf, shoe - you help them find it or you hold it up so they can claim it. This is how we keep each other safe in spaces that can quickly become dangerous.
Also know what to do to help someone in danger, and how to handle any instances of fighting and intentional violence around you. Grab a cop/security guard. Go to the info booth. Run to medical. Save a life. You can call attention to yourself by carrying a flashlight with you, and spread the word to those around you that you need medical or security assistance.
If you witness assault, harassment, or unwanted touching: Document what you saw. Offer to be a witness. Walk the victim to security or medical. Don't be a bystander - be an ally. The bystander effect is real, but you can be the one who breaks it.
Work together. Save a life. This is what PLUR really means in action.
Final Thoughts: The Real Magic Is in Community Care
I'm happy to have been given the space by Freedom Rave Wear to share these uncomfortable truths with those who are open and willing to receive them and learn from them. I hope you all find purpose in my words and my experiences and that you go out and have a level-headed approach to your festival experience.
Festivals are transformative. They're spaces where you can show up in your most authentic self - whether that's in plus size rave wear that makes you feel like a goddess, men's rave outfits that let you express your creativity, or anything in between. But they're also spaces that require us to look out for each other, to have honest conversations about safety, and to build the culture we want to see.
The magic of festivals isn't just in the music or the lights or the perfect outfit - it's in the moments when strangers become family. When someone shares their water with you in a long security line. When someone helps you up in a mosh pit. When someone walks you to medical because they noticed you weren't okay. That's the real rave culture - the one worth protecting and perpetuating.
So go to your festivals. Dance until your feet hurt. Wear the outfit that makes you feel invincible. But also: bring the trash bag. Carry the test strips. Know where medical is. Look out for your neighbor. Be the person who makes festivals safer, cleaner, and more inclusive for everyone.
From my heart to yours,
@chubbiwubbi
Maria Alves
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