Something Unique Happens When You Experience EDM

 Something Unique Happens When You Experience EDM

A black girl's experience with electronic dance music


The Answer to Everything

What music do you listen to while working out?

What music puts you in a good and happy mood?

What music do you want to hear blasting through your speakers or headphones?

What music can you listen to for hours?

What was the top genre you listened to this year?


EDM is my answer to everything. I’ve been dabbling in EDM for most of my life now, but it’s official: I’m here and I'm all in. I’m loud, dancing, and proud. I’m at the point where I am fully committed. I’m an EDM girlie and if you don’t like it, that’s your problem. I don’t care what you think anymore!

You Know The Vibes

I’m going to move my body to the beat without a care in the world. Find me dancing solo, eyes closed, two-stepping, fists pumping, arms swaying. And when I open my eyes, I’m hypnotized by the bouncing lights, the music thumping through the speakers, and the rhythmic movement of the crowd. It feels like we’re all one, yet all individuals at the same time. 


I might not always know the song, but I will surely figure it out. I just feel the music. I let it move me. That’s my favorite part; the beat is the story and the lyrics are minimal. I can interpret what I hear as my own. It is truly whatever I want it to be, without distracting words making me think a certain way. Just vibing to that good noise. Just happy to be there. That’s how I felt my first time going to a full-blown EDM festival.




Breakaway Festival (May 2023)

I experienced Breakaway Festival with my best friend! It was so fun picking out outfits, pregaming, socializing with like-minded strangers, dancing to the music, and hearing all the different DJs. 


The setup is what really made it worthwhile:

  • Small stage for a more intimate setting

  • Large stage with music so loud you can hear it from the entrance gates

  • Silent disco

  • Roller skating

  • Ferris wheel

  • Expensive food and drinks 

  • Long lined restrooms



My Personal Favorites

  1. Smaller stage: It’s hard to say whether these were upcoming artists or artists that were famous elsewhere and just not to me. Either way, there were times when they were definitely better than the headliners. Now obviously that’s subjective, but this is about my thoughts anyway 🙂 They were honestly killin’ it and had all of us movin’ and groovin’.

  2. Roller skating: Rollerskating was absolutely nostalgic for me. I haven’t been skating since I was a kid. It was always something I used to do for my birthday - core memories right there. Since it’s been a while, I 100% busted my ass and even popped off one of my press-on nails, but that’s fine. I still enjoyed it. I even saw some skilled skaters out there too! I thought I was in the movie ATL for a minute.

  3. Silent Disco: I am certain that these artists were local DJs. They all had their own vibes which is the point of a silent disco. I really like the idea of doing your own thing and leaving others to wonder what you’re listening and dancing to. It’s kind of mysterious and keeps things interesting.


Day One

Breakaway Festival was a two-day festival, which is optimal because it allowed me to split my focuses. On day one, we enjoyed the amenities more than anything else; roller skating, silent disco, aimlessly walking around, etc. After all that, we spent the majority of sundown at the large stage.


This day really made me realize that EDM makes me feel more like myself. I dressed how I wanted to dress, without feeling like I needed to impress anyone or prove anything. I received compliments both on my outfit and my face stickers, which I didn’t expect, but it felt good knowing that I was just trying to be myself. I also felt more gratitude than normal. I suddenly had a greater appreciation for life, myself, EDM, my relationship with my significant other (partly because I wanted him there to experience this with me), and more. By the time I was having these feelings, I was at least 90 percent sober. EDM leaves me feeling high on life. 


Day Two

On day two, we spent more time at the smaller stage. There was one specific person that I wanted to see, but DJ after DJ was just so good and mesmerizing, we couldn’t leave. They did end up closing the stage down an hour or so before the last DJ goes on the large stage, so we left when that happened. Who doesn’t want to see Zedd?!


Both nights we stayed until the last DJ finished. The whole festival was a blast and I realized it was something that I want to experience more often. The music in general. The environment in general. The feelings I get from it.

EDM Feels Like…

EDM feels like freedom and opportunity.

It gives me motivation without distraction.

It gives me life and a natural high.

It’s for me, and I want to share it.


I want to and will go to more EDM events. I call them events because they all aren’t going to be festivals - maybe a themed night, a club, or a concert. Either way, I want to share my (a black girl) experience.


Share with Me

What experience does EDM give you?


Leave a comment or find me on X/Twitter: @raverceb


 

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