Article written by outside writer JDay

What Does It Mean to Be Present at The Rave? 

Theres a lot of stuff out there about ‘being present’ at the rave. ‘Being present’ is also one of the reasons for strict no phone policies that 6 am and many other techno establishments hold in place. 

Ok but what does this mean? What is being present? 

But first… 

 

What is Techno?

Techno creates a powerful and unique trance like state that I would even venture to say is deeply meditative. What I find so fascinating about the headspace one experiences here, as opposed to other meditative experiences (say meditating at home or in nature), is that techno raves create a VERY high stimulation environment. Its odd how this music, that is so loud and complex, and is played on HUGE speaker systems with lights and strobes in a darkly lit room, could produce such a state. But it does. 

As opposed to more drop heavy genres of electronic music, techno emphasizes long stretches of tension and release. Tracks are woven together and often stacked, sometimes more than 2 at a time. Each track contains a multitude of elements that come into play, and then dissipate. For most of the time, there is a steady kick keeping things moving with a deep hypnotic pulse. 

Synths, percussive elements, and effects enter the space, exist for a moment, and then leave. I liken the music similar to the way thoughts, experiences, and sensations come and go. I find that techno goes direct in creating a meditative state instead of other genres that just have vibes that one could call ‘spiritual’ or ‘meditative’ but don't really create the same direct meditative state. 

 

You Just Had to Be There...

This is an experience; words don't do it justice and serve only as a simplification or abstraction of what the experience is. You simply have to experience it yourself. I don't expect you to get it unless you’ve been to a good techno show with artists that seek to create this state of mind and experience. 

I sound snobby as fuck now don't I? 

But here- I'll give a stab at describing it- when I am at a good event (for me, it’d be a proper techno event) I get into a state of mind where I feel the kick in my ears and across my body, and notice sounds as they come and go. I have thoughts doing the same- coming and going. My body moves as it wants and I can, at times, not think about dancing but instead just act and notice my moving. I see lights moving, flashing, and changing. I am in a state where I am paying attention to how everything is changing- often slowly and with subtlety, but sometimes quickly and viscerally. I pay attention to how I feel and watch as it changes as the night progresses. Thoughts are not important, but they can be at times. Oftentimes, thoughts actually get me out of this headspace of noticing the present experience I am in, and get me thinking about other things outside of the current moment. So I try not to think much- although sometimes I have had some powerful epiphanies about life. There is this truly ‘empty’ state of mind that I can reach where I'm just being there, and not anywhere else. In this state, hours can melt away, which is one of the reasons why techno is often played for longer hours than other genres of music- for example- Berghain is open for at least 32 hours straight every weekend. 

 

Flow Over Everything

For all genres of music, the music is important. For techno, this trance-like state, where you are completely immersed in the music, with both your mind and your body, is prioritized in the crowd and culture. This comes out in a number of ways in how techno events are curated. 

For non- techno genres, other aspects of the experience may be emphasized more. For example, at many events, there is a more openly social environment where talking is not deeply discouraged on the dance floor. At underground techno events, having extended conversations on the dance floor is heavily discouraged as it does not help this state. When you are talking, you are not fully immersed in the music- you are talking, and the brain cannot multitask. Additionally, you are affecting the people around you and their ability to enjoy the experience. 

For this reason, it can be difficult to establish a community or group of friends that all like techno. The core experience is not talking and socializing. Luckily, 6am has a discord where you can meet fellow techno fans. If you're looking to meet like minded techno fans, join the 6am discord! 

Lastly, because techno events are so oriented towards being in the moment, this is also why there is a no phone policy at 6am events and at many prestigious techno establishments across the globe. Personally, I find recording an event kinda ironic because in recording, you put yourself outside of the moment in an attempt to save a small part of it to look back on. So you are not in the moment yourself- you are recording! And on top of that, you likely will also have thoughts before recording of whether you should record a part or not- is that what being present is? Most importantly, using your phone is directly disruptive towards other people’s experience- in a dark room, phones stand out, and can make others feel self conscious about expressing themselves and dancing as they want without thinking about it. 

 

About The Author:

Jday is an active member of the LA warehouse scene and the 6AM discord, who takes his role as a dancer seriously. If you see a super tall guy dancing at proper techno events, theres a good chance its him! He also loves nature, meditation, and fitness!