Did Taylor Swift Fans “Steal” Kandi From The Rave Scene?

Beyond the music, rave culture is defined by traditions that run deep in the genre’s history, and kandi is one of the most iconic pieces of this history.  The brightly colored bead accessories have been a staple image of US rave culture throughout multiple decades, and ravers still pour precious time and love into the […]

Festival Report Card: Together As One NYE

Since expanding to the Pacific Northwest in 2021, Insomniac has been keeping ravers on their toes by bringing new festivals to the region every year, and the iconic NYE event Together As One made a name for itself at the Tacoma Dome as ravers from all corners of the PNW and beyond welcomed the new […]

Shrek Raves Unite Humor And Music To Create Something Brilliant

On a Saturday night in the Inland Washington city of Spokane, a line of hyped-up party people gathers around the gates of the Knitting Factory– the city’s premier concert hall.  It’s a pretty typical sight for a sold-out show, but something about this event is distinctly different: The star of this show is an idea […]

Rave Friendship Red Flags And Green Flags To Watch Out For

Rave friendships are a unique kind of bond. The exhilaration and hedonic release that dancing, group flow, and the explosion of energy music festivals produce can become life-changing forces–and the impact doubles when shared with friends.  It’s no surprise that many people in the rave and festival community refer to their friends as their chosen […]

Interview: Justin Hawkes Aims High For Drum & Bass In America

Justin Hawkes

As a new year dawns, the electrifying beats of drum and bass are rumbling up from the underground in the US. The name Justin Hawkes appears amidst a wave of new names bringing this genre to North American stages today, but in reality, the Austin-based D&B producer whose real name is Justin Hellier is anything […]