How do you define a "rave"?

2019 r/aves survey: How do you define a "rave"?

<20 people and loud music dancing to edm and living in the moment
1. Have electronic music playing, 2. Have it be played in somewhere that isn't purpose-built as a venue, 3. Minimal/no cover charge, and minimal/no advertising, 4. Music being played wouldn't be heard on the radio
A big dance party
A big dance party with strangers who seem like family!
A club or warehouse event with edm. I think some festivals qualify, but other shows feel more like regular concerts to me.
A collective of humans wanting to experience music, drug experiments, and support from others. None of this in a negative connotation at all.
A collective of like-minded people who are there to enjoy the music, not just party.
A concert / festival with dance music
a DJ you love putting performing great music, with crazy lights, and amazing people around
A dope party for like-minded people
A EDM musical festival
A festival OR show that plays EDM with effects and production
A free/open space to dance and connect with other like-minded people.
A fucking good time
A gathering in which people get together to listen to DJs preform some form of electronic music set.
A gathering of people dancing to electric music to have a life high
A gathering of people with the purpose of listening to electronic music, dancing, some socializing, and feeling free to express themselves and have fun.  I consider raves and festivals to be different things.  Large festivals are more common and more expensive now and smaller warehouse raves are harder to come by.
A get together of other people from my region that want to get crunk to the same music I like :-)
A grasroots organization that plays edm.
A group of people, likely on drugs, dancing to electronic music
A large dance party that involves heavy usage of EDM
A mass gathering centered around electronic dance music and drugs.
A massive party where everyone can go crazy!
A music festival at a sanctioned event that has either multiple stages or at least a couple hundred people. Lasers/lighting/light shows/stage performances all incorporated or present.
A music festival but EDM music
A musical event that has a focus on electronic music.
A nighttime music concert with light shows
A party at night with music being at the center
A party held in a warehouse / generic space without a corporate feel. No VIP and no tables and no festivals. Raves are not the norm anymore
A party primarily focused around dancing.
A party that is created around house or techno music. Fuck EDM, thats not raving
A party thrown in warehouse/at remote location/underground
A party with electronic dance music where people feel free to express themselves
A place soooooo weird it's normal
A place that plays edm and you can be free and let your worries slip away.
A place to be free and listen to good music and lose yourself
A place to dance to electronic music and do drugs away from normies
A place to escape the outside works with others looking for kindred spirits
A place to express oneself freely with less of an emphasis on commercialism and more focus on music and art
A place to let loose and feel the music
A place u can be free
A place where everyone gathers to listen to music and enjoy life.
A place where like minded music fans gather to dance and share space.
A place where people can come together to have a good time and get lost in the music.
A place where people can enjoy dance music free of judgement
A place with good music & vibes. Also a place where you're free to express yourself without judgement.
A rave could be defined as an electronic music event.
a rave is a rave
A rave is whenever I feel like turning tf up
A recontextualized space in a Temporary Autonomous Zone spirit with a sound system playing electronic music
a show that plays good edm & has good vibes
a show where the artists is some type of EDM artist
A small event. Not huge where thousands of people go like Escape.
A social gathering where people listen to dance music, take drugs and enjoy each others company.
A social gathering with a large emphasis on good dance music and recreational drugs
A techno/electronic music party where everyone is welcome and accepted.
A venue that is at least medium-sized which plays some kind of electronic, non-mainstream music.
All enveloping music among friends
All GA crowd with EDM music playing and people dressed up in crazy outfits
All night
An (rather) underground electronic music event
An all night edm event with debauchery
An edc with prevalent mdma use
An edm centered party with a lot of freedom
An EDM dance party either legal or illegal
An edm festival
An EDM music festival where everyone is welcome
An electronic music and light show with a PLUR vibe!
an event focusing on any sub-genre of EDM with more than one headliner/main act (not including supporting artists)
An event focusing on electronic music, dancing, and having a good time. An avenue to let loose and be whoever it is you want to be.
An event that has dj's and you can feel the plur in the air.
An event when a dj is playing loud harder electronic music genres
An event where EDM music is mainly played
An event with electronic music where the music is the main (or only) event
An event with electronic music, and a “plur” ambient. More of a feeling than a definition for me. Often includes free-spirited dancing, also often includes but does not require interesting outfits, kandi, use of drugs
An event with loud music (performed by DJs) and cool visuals
an illegal (non-permitted) event featuring bass heavy electronic music
Any EDM event with lasers/light show and/or video screens
Any large gathering where EDM is played.
Any musical production with edm music
Any setting with edm playing and I have an excuse to bust out the pashmina
Any show featuring EDM. This is a little wishy-washy tho.
any show that consists of electronic music
Anything less than a festival - renegades are what raves used to be
anything playing edm with less than 5,000 people
anything that involves EDM acts NOT held at clubs.
Anything with EDM
Anytime you have one or more people who love good music having a great time listening together.
Anywhere electronic music is played
Anywhere that doesn't feel like a concert but like a big party
anywhere that has a dj playing exclusively edm
Anywhere that has a venue and performers who play EDM!
Anywhere that that edm is being played at night time.
Anywhere where people are dressed crazy, bracelets out, going wild dancing, having a good time :D Great vibes, unlike a typical (non-rave night) club scene
Artistic culmination
Atmosphere
Bangin beats, more than one headliner
beep boop music
Being possessed through the music with everyone around you. You're all connected
Being surrounded by loving people all enjoying the music as much as you
Being your true self
Big party loud music
By the music that is being played, not necessarily location
Cathartic
Collection of people dancing/moving to a beat - intoxication not necessarily needed.
Coming together for the love of the music, and connecting with awesome people
Community of people with unrestricted love and expression!
confined dance space, as opposed to a festival.
Dance floor with EDM and exposed booty cheeks
Dance music with others dancing
Dance parties focused on freedom and community, a place to feel safe and welcome
Dance party in a Temporary Autonomous Zone
Dancing to my favorite music
Dancing with like minded people in a space
Dark, not popularized on social media, smaller production, local
Deep, dark, and dangerous
Definition has changed over time. Used to refer to secret parties, now the term 'rave' can apply to just about any party
Different than an “edm concert.” More free, loose, and underground.
Drugs and thots and music
EDM and a stage
EDM and dancing :)
Edm and drugs in a large venue
EDM and good vibes
EDM appreciation gathering
EDM Artists are playing in a concert environment
EDM centric party, not a typical club environment
EDM concert
EDM concert with multiple artist
EDM Event
EDM event
edm festival
edm is played for a community that is accepting of all who come
Edm music
EDM music
Edm music with flashing lights
EDM music with people who are passionate for the genre and can freely express themselves
EDM music, large crowds
EDM music, lasers, bass, friendly people
edm music, light show
edm music, light shows, drugs
EDM outside of a club in a non-dedicated event space. Warehouse, field, skating rink, park, ect.
Edm show
EDM with lots of artists on the lineup. there's multiple headliners instead of just one. (when theres an "opener" and a "headliner", it's not a rave, even if it's EDM)
EDM, light shows and people taking drugs
EDM, lights, drugs
EDM, the general attitude of those who show up
electronic dance music event
Electronic dance music producer/DJ playing a set, EDM only
Electronic music
Electronic music
electronic music + dancing people
Electronic music being played
Electronic music being played in a warehouse
Electronic music dance party
Electronic music event
Electronic music event of any kind
Electronic music gathering
Electronic music in a dark room
Electronic music in a venue lacking rules and time restrictions
electronic music party
electronic music party. NOT COACHELLA-LIKE festivals. Where electronic music is the focus
Electronic music surrounded by people who enjoy that music
Electronic music, lights and people
Electronic music, lights, bass
Electronic music, lots of dancing, fun lights and colors!
Emd style festival
Energy, kindness, and euphoria
Escape from reality
Event not located at a club/bar/festival. More underground/word of mouth.
event with EDM
Excuse to do drugs (music's pretty good too)
Expanding the music and light show even more with a drug of choice
Festival or Show where you see an artist perform. Rave is more of a culture that represents the style, clothing, music, drugs all of that culture. Getting litty titty with the crew lol
Flashing lights, drugs, electronic dance music
Free spirits, its all about the music
free, safe space dance party
Freedom
Gathering for electronic music
Gathering for electronic music and dancing
Gathering of beautiful faces
Gathering of EDM lovers living their best life, listening to EDM music by either one DJ or multiple Djs on smaller scale than a music festival
Gathering of like minded individuals enjoying music and fellowship.
Good location
Good music  + happy people
Good music and good people
Good music, dancing without judgement, good vibes
Good music, good people, good vibes
good music, good soundsystem, friendly people, good location
Good music, good vibes, great memories
Good vibes
great music, careless, on some trippy drugs and surrounded by folks just having a good time
Group of likeminded people dancing to sick bops together
High energy dance music with “jumping” being the main form of dance
Honestly to me just straight-up when the music is primarily EDM and people are dancing. Could be a headliner show, a festival, or someone pumping the bass up in your living room.
Huge party
Humanity's greatest achievement
I dont know haha, an EDM artist performing I guess?
I don't, it's easier that way.
I know it when I feel it
I see a rave as an event hosted by small time promoters just putting it on for the fun if it. Usually at a warehouse or some sketchy place in the woods. I would not call anything at an established venue a rave. To me a rave is dirty, dangerous, low production value, but a total adventure.
I see people rolling and shuffling
I'd say the typical festivals aren't necessarily raves. I feel like actual raves are a lot “weirder” and have more diversity in genres (so basically... not an illenium event lol)
I'd say an dance music event thats not in a typical type club (e.g. warehouse style clubs would count)
idk ask RAATL
Idk I'm still new to all of this. Has to be atleast 18+ for sure though.
If it's not really a club but there's EDM, then it's usually a rave. Especially if there's kandi
If there are glow sticks or not lol idk
Ik it's suppose to be like and underground experience but I'd say EDM performance that's strictly EDM
Illegal
Illegal congregation of drug-consuming people in a shady warehouse thats dark except for some strobes, lasers, lights, and glowsticks
Illegal party accompanied by EDM
illegal undergrounds with the possibility of getting shut down, also usually local talent
Illigal party with eletronic muisc
In a licensed event/venue, a popping EDM party with *lots of people*. At an outdoor/illegal event, good music and high energy but doesn't need to be a big crowd.
It's a tricky thing for me. Usually to simplify it I usually consider it to be any kind of event with EDM, but a true rave is already underground.
It's bexome to widely sused but normally warehouse parties
It's mainly vibe-based for me. Are people into the music, each other, and general atmosphere of the party? That separates it from a "club vibe" in my definition, although there were exactly two club shows I've been to that have felt much more like rave than a club. Vibe-based. This is the same reason I generally consider festivals to be raves. Pretty independent of size, legality, location, drugs, age, etc.
Jamming out to music while dancing with a crowd
just much more free flowing than anything else, do whatever tf you want
Large crowd, EDM music
Large stage, impressive light show, no street clothes
legal rave less than 200 people or an illegal free party with EDM
Letting loose surrounded by like minded people
Like a Kinder egg, you never know what to expect
Live DJ sets with production e.g. lights, lasers, smoke machines and a standing area
Live music, great people, mind-altering drugs, and dancing all night
Location with electronic music
Long stretch of dance music playing with limited security/oversight. A 3 hour show at MSG is not a rave.
Lots of lights, good DJ, medic team, free unlimited water, and nice people (on molly too).
Loud EDM with a good amount of liberty to be able to express yourself on the dance floor
loud electronic music w good vibes
Love
Magical place where you can feel, see and hear everything. With the company of your friends and loved ones
Massive sound, little to no lighting
Minimal promotion
More than 2 days and gypsie, hippie vibes
Multiple artist lineup
Music
music & lights
Music and feels
music at the drug festival
Music genre + drugs
Music, dancing, and most importantly good vibes and plur
Music, lights, outfits
Music/light show with tons on wild animals getting down
musical release from reality
N/A
No "rules" event that let you be you. Dancing the night away under the stars out in the wilderness while dressed however you want, all this without judgement from anyone, only PLUR
No corporate sponsors
No seating, Electronic music only, no dress codes
Non mainstream music, not marketed or geared towards a specific crowd / trying to just sell tickets. More just an announcement and the people bring the hype on their own.
Not a massive and not a club.
Not fuckin EDC
nowadays, its an escape from life
Organized dance party with djs featuring edm.
PARTY
People come to dance, feel in tune with music as it fills the void of a room or other space, smile, cheer and enjoy being around other people who are into the same thing - rave. Just yesterday saw two dudes who were really into the scene bring their girlfriends who were stiff as a rock. In short, there are not a lot of people into this sort of thing, depending on where you live, so these nights are really a special gathering of specific people.
People going to listen to dance/electronic music
People who bring the PLUR life to electronic concerts
People with similar music taste enjoying EDM music together
Place where I can be free
PLUR
Radical audio visual experience
Radical audio visual experience
Radical. Audio. Visual. Experience. How good are shlump and lsdream?
Respectful appreciation of views and expression
Safe space
Show playing EDM music
show with edm, and lights
Show with lasers
Social-gathering for electronic music.
soft rage
Some genre of EDM concert (now that underground raves arent as prominent, and official venues are more popular)
Something looked down up/out of the norm of society
Somewhere I can listen to live music from DJs
Somewhere I wouldn't feel out of place wearing rave clothes
Somewhere my dolphin bros and I can seek plur dolphin ladies and good vibes and also do an irresponsible amount of tranq and puffer fish
Speaker + electronic music + good vibes = rave
Sweaty/Underground
temporary autonomous zone with a speaker
The 4 D,s... Drugs, DJs, Dope lights, and Dance music
The Calendar, Here have a card. 19hz.info
The community
The Sabbath Party in Devilman Crybaby
There aren't many true raves where I'm at, so any show that has a dance floor and isn't in a giant venue.
To me, I only associate that term with renegades, warehouse edm shows, and EDM specific massives/festivals. Everything else is closer to the word concert or show. Nightclub shows are their own experience as well. Whether the show is a rave can depend on the venue.
Undefinable
Underground
underground artists underground. anything else is a club night or a festval/concert
underground party (not corporate)
Underground, illegal music events that features atypical music
Underground, non-professional, technically illegal
Underground. Not a concert with electronic music. 14y/o+. BYOB. Not advertised on social media. No professional promotion. Not at a music/theater venue. Location revealed hours before event. No cops. No security. Does not end before 5:00am. Not for profit. Good music. Good drugs. Good vibes.
Underground/warehouse environment. I try to avoid using the word rave out of fear of others telling me that what I go to is not a "proper rave". So I just say I like to go to "shows" or "festivals".
Venue with edm music
Venue, people dancing and good vibes
Warehouse vibes
where peuple come together to create a journey through electronic music
Where the love, fun, and music is
You have to hide your drugs
You know it when you see it.
You know or when you see it
Zone where music unites common people to freely express themselves and they themselves have full control over what they would like to do with no judgment or outside influence. A counter culture against authority, social norms, and the mainstream. It is a land where common people can forget about the difficulties of every day life in the current system we live in and express themselves to the fullest extent.