by Loana McCabe-Gould
We're finally a week away from Halloween! I always look forward to Halloween raves—everyone who knows me knows that not only do I love dressing up in the most creative rave outfits, but I also live for everything scary and spooky. There's something magical about the way Halloween transforms the festival scene, where glow sticks meet gothic vibes and bass drops sync with your heartbeat.
To get myself (and hopefully you) in the mood for Halloween, I've curated this 20-track Halloween playlist that's perfect for pre-gaming before you hit the festival grounds. Whether you're getting ready in your hotel room, lacing up your platforms, or perfecting that last touch of body glitter, this playlist sets the perfect spooky-meets-bass-heavy mood.
The Perfect Mix of Spooky and Bass-Heavy Vibes
Some songs were chosen because they genuinely sound spooky—like The Spook Returns by KSHMR, which sends chills down your spine with its eerie melody, or Where Are You by Excision, which creates an unsettling atmosphere perfect for a Halloween set. Others made the cut purely because of their Halloween-related names: Ghosts N' Stuff by deadmau5 (a classic that never gets old), Spooky by Troyboi, and Nightcrawler by ZHU.
I noticed while building this playlist that a lot of Halloween-themed electronic music leans heavily into dubstep and bass music—which makes sense when you think about those dark, heavy drops that mirror the intensity of horror films. But I wanted this playlist to be versatile enough for every moment of your Halloween rave experience, so I sprinkled in tracks from other genres too. You'll find everything from house to trap, ensuring there's something for every mood as you're getting into your festival bodysuits or adding the final touches to your costume.
Discovering Figure: The King of Horror-Step
One artist I discovered while creating this playlist was Figure, and let me tell you—this was a game-changer. I'd never officially listened to his music until this week, but a friend who knew I was working on this playlist suggested I check him out, and now I'm completely obsessed! Figure has carved out his own niche in the bass music scene with what he calls "horror-step," and it's absolutely perfect for Halloween.
A lot of his songs are Halloween-themed, drawing inspiration from classic horror films and creepy aesthetics. My personal favorite is Redrum (if you don't get the reference, please read or watch The Shining right NOW—seriously, stop what you're doing). The way he samples and manipulates sounds to create this unsettling yet danceable atmosphere is pure genius. I've already devoured his Monsters 7 album, but I'm hoping to work through his entire discography before Halloween hits.
Figure's music is perfect for those moments when you're in the crowd, surrounded by people dressed as zombies, witches, and creatures of the night, all moving together under strobing lights. It's horror movie soundtrack meets festival banger, and it just works.
The Complete Halloween 2018 Playlist
Halloween Rave Style Tips
While the music sets the mood, your outfit completes the transformation. Halloween is the one time of year when you can go absolutely wild with your festival fashion. Think beyond the typical rave aesthetic and incorporate gothic elements, horror-inspired accessories, or even full costume pieces into your look. Whether you're rocking rave tops with a spooky twist or going full creature-of-the-night, Halloween gives you permission to push boundaries.
This year, I'm heading to Freaknight in Seattle, WA—one of the biggest Halloween rave events on the West Coast. The energy at Halloween festivals is unlike anything else; there's this collective excitement about transformation and self-expression that makes everyone's creativity come alive. I'll be posting my outfit and updating my Instagram Story throughout the night, so follow along at @loanabanana82 to see how the night unfolds.
Join the Spooky Rave Fam
I hope this playlist gets you into the spirit of Halloween as much as it has for me! Music is such a huge part of the festival experience—it's what connects us all on the dance floor, what makes us move, what creates those unforgettable moments when the bass drops and everyone loses it together.
If you have any song suggestions that I might have missed, I'd absolutely love to add more to this list. Please feel free to leave a comment below or send me a DM on my Instagram account, @loanabanana82. I'm always looking to discover new tracks and artists, especially ones that capture that perfect Halloween vibe.
Whether you're heading to a massive Halloween festival or an intimate warehouse party, I hope this playlist helps you channel your inner spooky raver. Put on your most creative rave bottoms, grab your squad, and get ready to dance until dawn. Hope everyone has a very spooky Halloween—see you under the strobes!
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