In the realm of raves, we all know the typical locations most dance floors tend to gather on. You have your established club venues, massively scaled festivals, the underground warehouse parties, and a plethora of other places around the city and surrounding areas to dance at. Those are good and fun as they are pretty standard these days, but they’re not the only places to party. What about for those who are tired of the city vibes? For those adventurous ones that like to blaze the unbeaten path? For those that want to get away from the typical routine of societal living in general? If you find yourself feeling like that, have no fear; you may just be a renegade, and in that case it’s about time you get yourself to a renegade party.

 

What is a Renegade Party?

Renegade parties are DIY campouts with huge sound systems that happen in the middle of nowhere. In Southern California, renegade parties often tend to happen out in the desert as we have a whole lot of empty sandy space down here. But that’s not necessarily where they have to take place; renegades can happen anywhere that is absolutely nowhere. This could mean partying out in the forest or woods, up in the mountains or hills, on a secluded waterfront along the coast, or really anywhere that’s very far from the general public and immersed in nature. Although there are quite a few ecosystems to choose from, renegades are popular in the desert not only because of the massive amount of desert available in the South-West, but also because many of them aim to replicate similar vibes that take place once a year in Black Rock City, NV, garnering the term ‘burner parties’. Basically, desert parties are like mini Burning Man camps. Desert parties, and renegades in general, are all about community & unity, self discovery & self expression, exploration & appreciation, and most importantly, love. Love for music, love for nature, and love for one and other.

History of Renegade Parties

The origin of renegade parties root way back to the late 80’s and early 90’s alongside the inception of the rave scene that we know today. Back then, house & techno was very frowned upon by the masses, with some even calling it “the devil’s music.” Raves were under heavy scrutiny by the media and public officials, while oftentimes gatherings were subject to being shut down; fines given, equipment taken, and nights ruined. To avoid further tragedy, event organizers were forced to find refuge at places the police would never bother to trek out to. For some, that meant finding an abandoned warehouse in a seedy part of town, but for others, that meant heading out to the middle of nowhere.

Inspired by the free outdoor parties happening across the pond during England’s rave revolution, resolute ravers scrounged up whatever generators, sound systems, and DJ equipment they could get a hold of, packed it all up caravan style, and strung it all together in an out of touch location off the grid. What first started as small gatherings amongst friends in the scene, word of mouth spread and renegade parties soon turned into huge gatherings amassing over thousands of people to party out in the middle of nowhere all night, and sometimes even all weekend. With a heavy emphasis on psychedelia, renegade parties drew a great deal of inspiration from the Grateful Dead’s infamously trippy & hippy ‘Deadhead’ scene. What was drawn from this culture (besides being very space exploration friendly) was to come in peace, come together, and take care of eachother, all of which has helped shape the rave scenes core values of Peace, Love, Unity, Respect (PLUR.) If it weren’t for these remote, intimate gatherings taking place decades ago, we would not have the hugely popular campout parties available to the public today such as Dirty Bird BBQ Campout, Lightning in a Bottle, Desert Hearts, etc..

 

How do you find a Renegade Party?

Now that you’re familiar with the history, how do you get familiar with the happenings? Well, it won’t be easy since they are remote and secretive in nature (literally). Although renegade parties are very inclusive environments for anyone that attends, that doesn’t mean anyone is allowed to attend. Lots of times you’ll need to know someone who frequently attends these types of gatherings to take you, as the groups that throw these events take many precautions to protect the vibe and the safe space that they have curated. It only takes one bad apple to ruin the fun, so it is expected that everyone joining is vetted and trusted by whoever invited them.

If you can’t find someone to directly invite you to come along, you can take your best shot at connecting with some of the renegade community members via the web. Oftentimes there will be an online group with information about these kinds of gatherings, whether it be on facebook, instagram, Whatsapp, or any other media platform. But most likely it will be a private group and you’ll need permission from one of the members or admins for access. Do your best to have your online presence looking like someone who would be a part of the scene, and not looking suspicious or like someone who might want to shut the party down, since these gatherings are unsanctioned. On rare occasions, there are renegade events that advertise publicly and allow anyone to come, as long as you pay their “donation” fee. So in that case you can check out the website 19hz.com as that’s where lots of DIY underground events get posted, whether it be out in nature or in a warehouse somewhere.

 

What To Know Before You Go

You found your first renegade party! Good on you for knowing where to look and passing the vibe check. But getting the invite and the info is only half the battle, now you’ll need to successfully arrive at the scene, and arrive prepared. But have no fear, here’s a checklist that’ll make sure you’re ready to rave thoroughly and safely.

Stay Hydrated & Nourished (Pack Rations)

In the rave scene, it’s very easy to forget to take care of yourself before a wild night of debauchery. While it is always recommended to be hydrated and nourished before doing ANYTHING, it is especially important before heading out to party in the middle of nowhere. Make sure your body is ready for an intense night of activities by consuming lots of food and water before heading out. On top of that, make sure that you have plenty of rations for the 12-36 hours you will be very far from civilization. There will be no 7/11’s, no Rite Aids, no McDonalds; just you, whatever you brought with you, and probably a lot of dirt. Bring at least 1 gallon of water per person for every 24 hours you plan on staying, and lots of snacks as you will be hungry even if you think you won’t be. Fuel = fun. Plus, sharing food is a great way to make friends in the middle of nowhere! Make sure to take care of your fellow renegades. Some good things to have packed for the trip include:

• Fruits
• Cheeses
• Nuts
• Jerky and other smoked/cured meats
• Sandwiches (PB&J’s, Cold Cuts, Avocado, etc…)
• Boiled Eggs
• Yogurt
• Salads
• Soups
• Drinkable Nourishment (Smoothies, protein shakes, yogurt shakes, etc…)
• Chips
• Baked goods (Cookies, brownies, muffins, etc…)
• Whatever else you might be in the mood for that can be properly stored won’t be perishable over the next 12-36 hours.

 

Have a First Aid Kit Stocked & Ready

When planning for a party, no one plans for anything bad to happen. But when out in nature, there are many variables to take into account, and making sure you’re prepared for any kind of emergency is vital, especially being so far away from any hospitals. So make sure you have a first aid kit stocked and ready for anything. Your kit should have:

• Bandages
• Ointments/solutions for cleaning wounds, treating bites, etc.
• Ace bandage for sprains
• Tweezers
• OTC (over-the-counter) meds like Tylenol, Advil for aches/pains.
• If you have medical conditions: Your prescription medications
• If you have allergies: Your allergy meds (EpiPen, Benadryl, Claritin, etc.)
• Menstruation supplies (but don’t drop them in the potties!)
• Hand sanitizer
• Face masks (protection from dust and viruses)
• Toilet Paper/Wet wipes

 

Pack for Extreme Weather (Very Hot or Very Cold)

When planning to hang out in nature, you have to be ready to take on the elements whichever way it could potentially turn. Of course you should take a look at the weather forecast before hand, but a rule of thumb is always be ready for it to be very hot or very cold (especially if you’re going to the desert). What could be a warm sunny climate during the day could very well end up being cold and windy by night, so make sure you have the right wardrobe for any weather.

 

Make Your Home-Base a Slice of Heaven

At renegade campouts, most of the time you’ll be wandering around and dancing since that’s what you showed up to do. But with all that excitement going on, you’ll also need to retreat and recoup, so you’ll also be spending a lot of time at your own little campsite. With that being said, make sure to pack anything you need to make your campsite your own little oasis! Bring a tent if you really want to feel like you’re camping, but it’s not imperative. Usually a few portable collapsing chairs along with a big blanket to lay on will do the trick, combined with using whatever space there is in your car to take refuge in. To make your space really feel like home and to make it inviting and friendly to other campers, bring decorations! Lights are highly recommended as they illuminate beautifully during the night, but there are tons of other things you can get creative with to really make your space feel like home-base.

 

Pay Close Attention to Directions

It can often times be difficult to navigate your way to a renegade party as they tend to be quite remote and off the grid. Usually the event organizer will send out directions along with coordinates, so make sure to follow their instructions as closely as you can. You’ll most likely be traveling down an un-pathed trail, so be wary of different landmarks and checkpoints the directions have noted. And since off-roading is almost inevitable, if you have access to an SUV that would be ideal for transportation. But if you don’t have an SUV, no worries -many people pull up in smaller cars not exactly made for terrain too. Just be careful!

 

Leave No Trace

Renegade parties are meant to be pack in, pack out events, which means leaving absolutely no trace that you were ever there. Bring plenty of trash bags to make sure you can properly dispose of your waste, and make sure not to litter or leave anything on the floor while you’re out and about. This standard procedure is in place to make sure that the location remains private and available to use without any suspicion. The event organizers are responsible for going around the campsite at the end of the event to clean up anything anyone may have forgotten, and they may choose to no longer throw events if attendee’s don’t cooperate with this. But most importantly this rule is there to make sure we take care of and respect our mother earth; she is kind to us, and we shall be kind to her. So be a good member of the community and do your best to leave no trace.

 

Pace Yourself

When partying, it’s important to know your boundaries and limitations, ESPECIALLY when out in the middle of nowhere. You’re most likely in for a long night/day/weekend, so make sure to put your substance intake on cruise control. Keep in mind that there are less frequencies to pick up on far out from civilization, and that means substances can and will hit you harder than if you took them somewhere else. So consume party favors in a way that allows you to stay grounded, present, and able to make the best decisions for yourself, and for the community as a whole.

 

Come with Intention, Be with Intention

Heading out to spend time in nature away from all the hustle and bustle of civilization can be a very good chance to connect with yourself in a way you might not otherwise be able to because of all the frequencies going around in the city. With that being said, heading out to a renegade party could be a great opportunity to live in the moment with more intent than we do on a regular basis. Open yourself up for some reflection and inspiration while you’re out connecting with mother nature. Take the trip as an opportunity to be more mindful; mindful of yourself, mindful of others, mindful of your surroundings, mindful of life. You might end up having a spiritual experience while you’re out there, but at the very least you’ll leave feeling refreshed and more grateful for the life we get the precious opportunity to live on any given day.

 

Be a Natural Renegade

Renegade parties are truly a unique experience you can’t find anywhere else other than the middle of nowhere. It’s a great chance to get away from normal life and live off the grid for a night or two while connecting with yourself, your friends, and nature in a way we typically couldn’t on a regular basis. They’re a glimpse into how things were way back in the day when it wasn’t as easy and accessible to rave, as well as to how things turned out to be the way they are today. And not only that, they are absolutely a blast. You never know what you’ll see, who you’ll meet, or what you’ll experience during one of these zany adventures. Go be a renegade and find yourself a renegade.

source: https://www.theravereport.com/blog/israel-beyond-the-headlines-psytrance-and-secret-nature-parties