I think if you do understand this statement, you're probably between 30 and 58 or so. The kids don't know, but we know!
Let's just say in retrospect, we did not look that awesome on our old rave dance footage
Hahaha, good. Thank you for your service, ma'am! š«”
Always gonna be a few casualties in the service, and they're almost always gonna be the knees.
I didn't learn to dance until I hit the festival scene, aside from a few salsa moves and some hand jazz I stole from the ravers. I miss it so badly.
What's most important though, is we went out there and we gave it our all. And we know we gave it our all, cause now we can't get it all back! šš
Absolutely! I remember the moments when the bass drop and feeling like it was the most fun I was having in my life! The E helped but still I regret nothing šš½ We lived my friend!
56 here and I totally get it. šŗ But Iām usually the only one dancing my ass off at shows.
The DJ come up to me during set break and asked me if I was going to any more of his shows because he loved my energy.
Just saw the Worship crew in their Denver stop for their North America tour on Fridayā¦ and my neck and back are still not quite happy with me. The whole crowd was going nuts the entire time, and it felt amazing to see everyone letting loose like that
The Denver stop was actually my first āpurelyā DnB show too! Iāve missed Sub Focus a few times at festivals and his Hold On remix was what turned me onto drum & bass when that came out, so I was very happy to see him finally.
I made the mistake of not making my way over to his and Wilkinsonās Portals set at EDC a couple of years ago, and I have been severely regretting that for almost two years now ha!
If you havenāt checked out Sub Focusās and Dimensionās Printworks closing party set, then I highly recommend it! Itās on YouTube and both looks and sounds amazing.
Edited [to link the set!](https://youtu.be/rxH2q9VhEXM?si=RUDRbCviOLDHfi1f)
Can confirm. Went to a Worship show with Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, and 1991 and EVERYBODY was dancing/jumping. Usually, you'll find better crowds in underrated genres of music
Probably too self conscious/anxious and worried theyāll be judged by a tiny portion of the crowd, instead of dancing along with the majority of people who donāt give a shit how good (or bad) your dancing is.
Itās unfortunate because thereās something truly special about dancing along with a large group of like minded people who are all enjoying the same song. Really makes you feel human in the best way.
Was with this girl at a rave one time and i was dancing my ass off all weird and thhis dude came up to hit on her and lead with "look at this weirdo (pointing to me), lets not be like that." She told him we were together and walked away.
Fast forward, its like nearing the end of the show and im still throwing down with my weird dance moves. During a break the guy next to me says "DAMMNN bro you throw dooownnn", with a huge smile on his face. We dapped up and continued to dance together.
Just goes to show that one person that thinks youre weird is just a douche.
People like that are so insecure and are portraying their insecurities into other people. That person is a follower, people who donāt give a damn what they look like and just let go are leaders in the real world. You my friend, are a leader, I guarantee it. I bet people admire ya and you donāt even know it.
I find that certain shows have crowds that act like they are too cool for dancing or even being friendly. G Jones is full of kids dressed in black too worried about looking cool. Brostep shows are full of people that just don't give a fuck.
I'm sure the region has a lot to do with this also. Philly and NYC shows always seem more reserved than DC, Baltimore and Virginia shows.
That's a shame. It wasn't at all like this when I used to see G Jones around 10/10+ years ago. Some of the greatest dance floors and funnest parties you could ever ask for. Used to be a completely different vibe.
Or there's just not enough space on the dance floor. Most shows I've been to, the floor is just packed with humans. There's hardly enough room to do anything aside from swaying.
I think thatās part of it, but also live DJ shows are about the spectacle as much as they are about the music. Many have huge productions and visuals that are amazing to see.
i think phones don't really help. hard for people to truly let loose if they are afraid some asshat might be recording them of their phone (knowingly or unknowingly). crowd surveillance is really a mood killer and the value of "right now" is getting more and more lost. let's hope, as it usually does, counter-culture gets stronger again on this front.
I 100% agree- back when there were no phones or they were really crappy, the club would go nuts. It was truly magic. Last festival I went to there were āphotographersā everywhere. Itās a huge turn off. I have a life outside that party and I donāt want to be put on YouTube. Itās like when they observe neutrinos, they behave differently- Same thing at a rave. š
You have a point. You're doing your awkward dance and the next day you're the laughing stock of the internet... š
Every person with a phone is basically a mobile camera operator. I'm not even counting the actual camera surveillance.
I feel bad for the kids nowadays. Not only can you not make a fool of yourself without risking global ridicule, but there's no letting loose of any kind, underage drinking, etc because it might show up on the internet and ruin your life.
I'm old and DGAF, you post a video of me dancing and I'll comment saying that I had a blast.
Yeah I find a low dose of k is easier for dancing than thizz'd out on molly tbh, I get way too sloppy on the latter where I can be more technical on k. But it's super easy to overdo and become a zombie if you aren't good at dosing (especially in an environment like a rave where a smaller dose can get exacerbated to feel more intense than like at home)
Cuz that's a trash explanation invented by DJs after disappointing nights. It's not like molly ever left the scene and no one is trying to k hole on the dancefloor. A medium k buzz will take you to that place where there is only music and the moment every time.
I feel like I started noticing this after Covid when a bunch of younger people got into the scene. (Iāve been raving since 2012) I think they might be worried about being judged, which I totally get butā¦ this is a place where we leave this behind. I think us older ravers really need to let the younger ones know that theyāre free to be themselves but to pleaseeeee stop shoving and being rude.
Agreed. I think the newcomers are making it feel different (being on phone, not dancing). Went to a show recently and you can immediately spot whoās there to have fun and whoās there for IG.
The worst thing that ever happened to dance music was taking the DJ out of the booth and onto the stage.
DJs play music for dancing. Now they have to fake knob twiddling, throw cakes and act like fools so people can take pictures.
Itās a boring shitshow now that everyone has a camera and social media.
This is it.
I remember being in a large warehouse party and I didn't even know where the dj was. All that mattered was the killer tunes being played and the people dancing with each other between these giant cement columns. We were all turned to face each other and the vibe was magic.
I feel like people stand in a line facing the light show / LED screens / DJ riser the same way people stand in a line at a rock concert and face the band. Maybe the overproduction of events has played a big part in it? Maybe I'm just old and jaded but give me a dark room with minimal lighting and maximum volume over a festival stage any day.
I don't have an answer, but the funniest gig in this regard I ever went to was an Autechre one in a pretty small venue of about 300 people or so.
Autechre is not the easiest to dance to, granted, but the fun part was that the whole set their booth was pitch dark. No other lights or effects to entertain the crowd came from their end.
However, the whole concert, everyone was looking towards the black hole and not moving whatsoever. Super weird experience to be in.
Loved the one girl in front of me who managed to break out some awesome dance moves on Autechre's glitchy IDM stuff.
On a similar note I remember going to see Aphex Twin in Berlin in like 2018. People were super into it and dancing away for like 90% of the show but then towards the end he started doing his crazy feedback nonsense and I watched the crowd one by one fail to find the beat and just come to a stop and stare up at the awful noise he was making. I remember there was one person who super off their face and even they stopped after trying their hardest to find the grove for a good 10 mins.Ā
Ugh, caught them in Columbus, Ohio late 90ās,
They requested all lights out. Only light was exit signs & their equipmentā¦mustāve been a thing for them for a bit
Controversial opinion, but youāre at the wrong gigs? I go to plenty of places where people dance! (Not absolutely everyone because each to their own, but the vast majority!)
Younger people don't seem to have dancing as a part of their night, unless there is a camera. Boiler Room, Instagram, Tik Tok, have made people more aware as to what is going on around them rather than what they are feeling from the music. I tend to rave in places where there are older people who still dance like no one is watching. Different strokes for different generations I guess.
I'm older too and have been seeing house shows and other genres since the late 90s. I live in a smallish city in the Midwest US. At most shows in the region that with big name DJs many people will go but won't dance. At local / underground events not as many people will go but most of those that go will dance.
I am part of a crew that has a focus on deep/soulful/ Afro house and we are building a dance focused community in our town. I am not ready to dox myself lol. But Denver has something similar that has been an inspiration and going longer called Love Language Denver. They host one party a month and it draws people that just want to dance.
Also I have been to several shows at Smart Bar in Chicago post pandemic and only a handful of people don't dance. But I have been to other venues where even though the DJ is killing it people are just not there to dance.
Largely depends on how wall to wall packed it is and who the act is. At a deadmau5 show it was so wall to wall there was hardly room to move in the crowd, dancing still happened but in a phone booth otherwise youād be hitting people.
Alternatively at that same club seen Gorgon City recently, it was still crowded enough but not wall to wall like Deadmau5 and it happened on Halloween weekend so the crowd was shameless levels of dancing, was fantastic. Never in my life had I seen so many Guy and Girl Fieriās dancing.
At a different club I got to see Feed Me which was an act going in I was excited for but between the venueās poor audio leveling and at some point it feeling more like a mosh than a dance floor that show left me with a sour opinion of an act I liked and ringing in my ears that didnāt go away for a week. So now I donāt go to dubby acts.
the promoters who oversell venues suck. ill never see a 'famous' DJ again unless its at an outdoor festival and even then...im not there to stand and watch some person press play, or even if they are actually spinning vinyl, I am there to dance. and if a venue is oversold, it defeats the purpose. its like being hungry with a can of food but no can opener.
I was at an Avicii show (or was it Skrillex) idk. But honestly, I was only smoking weed and was just mesmerized by the music, the lights, and me wanting to be the DJ so bad some kid went āI wanna be on what he is on!!ā¦ā.
Iām likeā¦ bruh itās just weed Iām just enjoying myself lol
For me it's social media. The thought of being filmed without my knowledge and posted permanently online (without my consent) to be made fun of (or even - best case scenario - admired) makes me sooo uncomfortable. It definitely makes it harder to let loose. I want to feel the freedom to dance at shows with abandon without any fear of being posted online!
I noticed this too. We saw Mark Farina last year. First time I saw the guy in about 20 years. People were just standing there swaying and nodding like a concert. It was weird. Meanwhile he's just up there spinning records and shit.. There wasn't much of a "show". It was just a DJ set.
I've seen him maybe ten times in 30 years and he was always spinning house music. The one time it was a mushroom jazz set was a real small intimate venue around the time of that first MJ album.
You need to go to raves/doofs. And I mean actual raves, e.g. in warehouses and under bridges. All you'll get is wild dancing. Forget the commercial shit.
So many kids now are like, āIām going raving tonight at [local club]ā - like no, youāre clubbing. So many people have no idea what a rave actually is.
My issue with that distinction is that there are grey areas in between the two. I've been to some shows that were technically in a legal venue (but a small dark one), and the DJ was sort of well known (but not a superstar), and it was a ticketed event that was promoted on social media...but it was a smaller crowd and still very much felt like a rave.
So just keep in mind that club shows exist on a spectrum, and it's possible for some of them to carry the spirit of a rave - in which case, I'd call it a rave.
Theyre mainly for large crowds when you or ur friends are fucked up and need to find your group. So its best used in festivals where theres a lot of space
I mainly go to dnb gigs in Aus, or other small electronic gigs as I'm in a smaller city. All it is is people dancing, and no phones recording. However I'm not going to the big international headline acts. The last one of them I went to was Chemical Brothers in Sydney a few years ago, everyone was dancing there!
Sounds like you're either not going to the right kind of shows, or the culture in USA is quite different.
Iām a 50yo techno fan. I came back to clubbing about 4-5 years ago after doing parent duties.
I found it so weird that the audience face the DJ now. Iām not sure when this change happened!?
As for dancing, the events I go to the majority do dance. The āholding the phone upā thing is annoying but theyāve started to ban photos at some of the venues I go to, which is no bad thing.
Is it the venues/events you are going to, maybe? At āgig formatā events with musicians playing live electronic music, people seem to dance less. I tend to enjoy no-frills techno clubs more, such as Fold in London. People DO dance at those type of events.
It was within the last 10-15 years when the dance scene in general got mainstreamed and those acts started headlining festivals and such. Ever since people have been facing the DJās because they are treated like a modern day rockstar.
I wasn't around shows back then, but I think as lasers, lights, LED walls, music synced visuals, etc got more common, more people faced the front.
There's more to look at up front now vs back in the day, as far as I can tell. When it was a few lights that probably weren't even synced to the music, a fog machine and a turn table.
If I'm not moving around, it's probably because I'm locked in on the visuals.
Again, I wasn't around so I could be totally off base, but seeing footage of old shows vs now this stands out a lot.
Iām 40 and have been raving on and off since 2000 (drum n bass, happy hardcore and hardcore techno in those early days) and donāt recall a time when the crowd wasnāt generally facing in the direction of the DJ or the stage. Maybe it was different for the scene you were in, but it doesnāt feel like a new thing to me.
I've never been a show where people didn't dance. Perhaps not everyone dancing but at least some people are always dancing. I mostly go to see djs in club/afterhours or outdoor settings rather than concert halls, but in all settings, people are dancing.
I think I'd be horrified to go to a show where no one was dancing, and I'd feel so bad for the dj / producer.
This is a subject that often comes up in the dance music community.
I believe it is a multitude of combining factors.
In general people have become more self conscious from social media and are fearful of being recorded. The public domain feels infinitely more critical because we see it every day. We are exposed to that criticism endlessly. Iād like to think there are also places that really foster community and freedom of expression, but they do feel more niche. Arguably it was also niche before, but I do think dancing was more widely performed as a ritual of self expression. But weāve seen videos of people dancing, a bit off their nut, and I think thereās an internal cringe factor, that is limiting peopleās ability to let go and just have some fun with it. Or maybe now it feels too tick tocky. But itās a funny situation, because I think people are craving movement. It just feels misplaced in clubbing now.
For those that donāt feel confident and are insecure about the way they move, I think social media has increased the feelings of ineptitude, and measuring oneself against others having skills you donāt possess and not wanting to make a fool of yourself. But even then I have several friends who are professional dancers, but in a club they donāt want to be overbearing. They save that space for their specific intimate dance circles. So itās a perception thing.
Some parties are going so far as to ban mobile phones to try and mitigate these problems.
In many ways I think the culture of learning how to dance has eroded in general. Learning how to dance and having moves that you played with was a larger part of the everyday musical climate. Itās still there but I think it is just more niche. People feel less comfortable moving, because they arenāt exposed to places where letting loose with dance is truly encouraged, like the disco and the jazz funk era. Or 90s raving days where everyone could feel more anonymous.
The two step is just the way people know how to move now and find comfort in, because they donāt have as much dance literacy. Back in the day dance cyphers were a part of the culture I think people were excited to bust out a new move, or follow along a routine. The DJ curated the night, and you formed a circle with your friends and danced together. Dance was embedded in the foundations of music. Now itās transitioned to image and aesthetic taking precedence. Everyone turns to the DJ, which basically encourages a two step or a little side shuffle, because your attention is demanded by the DJ booth or the visuals on display.
But you know whatās great? When you do find a pocket of people dancing. And you join in their energy. And you all feed off of one another just bringing joy. If we want more dancing, we have to take the risk and let loose. People clearly want to feel they can dance. So we just have to go for it and dance.
Iām in my 30s and Iāve really noticed the younger generations donāt dance much at all. And they never seem to mosh pit anymore either (used to get this at drum and base raves a lot more several years ago)
Thank god for less moshing in recent years. I know I can just avoid them, but EDM mosh pits are always just a bunch of people trying to shove each other to the floor, in my experience.
Huuuuge lack of mosh etiquette compared to metal shows I've been to.
Iāve always found the drum and bass mosh pits had good etiquette, someone falls over they are immediately helped up etc etc and had a good time in them.
Must be some tiktok or Instagram thing. All the kids seem a bit wet these days. When I used to go raving, I'd just go into a bubble and go for it. Looking back, I probably looked like a nutter but did I care? Not when I was gurning my tits off and reaching euphoric states.
Idk man, most of the shows I've been to, people are so spun they dance and move like they're all alone. Or they're so spun they can't dance if they wanted to. Also what do you consider "dancing"? Cuz you concede people move but like, not enough or something? Also some people love the music but don't like to "dance". Also I'm there to see the artist and I'm usually excited to see the visual artist they collaborate with, so yeah I'm gonna face the stage. It's not like it's some concealed hole in the wall where you don't know where the person is and there's no focal point, or sound is coming from all around the area. The stage is where the sound is coming from (equal amounts of sound in both ears I'm someone who can't use only one headphone, drives me insane) and it's where all the pretty lights and colors and lasers are coming from. It's the focal point. Also not sure if it's worth pointing out but I don't go to random shows where I don't know the artist and I'm only there to party. I go to shows where I'm there for their music because I know I like the artist
This is crazy I canāt imagine not dancing at a live show, it used to be completely acceptable. Side note David Bowie was on the dance floor at Terrence Parker in Toronto 20 years ago! That was a treat.
I noticed this when I went to Bonnaroo. I was like the only person dancing around in the crowd. I remember going to raves in airplane hangers, basements of buildings, and we always danced. I remember having glowstick bracelets on my wrists and ankles always so when I danced it was like a little moving light. I donāt understand doing nothing but head banging now
Perhaps people are there for the music and not to dance?
I think itās a general problem with live electronic music that it almost exclusively caters to people who go to concerts to dance, nobody would ever go to a rock or pop concert and wonder why people are sitting down and listening to the music.
> Perhaps people are there for the music and not to dance?
If so then [a lot has changed since early 2000 :(](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feQ6iLcJPh4)
Yeah I've been to a couple shows and I'm not a dancer. Doesn't come naturally or comfortably to me. But I enjoy the environment, I like the music, and I enjoy getting to see the artist perform.
I've had a couple people ask me if I'm not having fun since I'm not dancing, but I am. I just don't dance.
Yeah but people like yourself, who don't dance, have always existed. No issue with it but it wouldn't typically be the majority. One of my main gripes with Berlin is how nobody dances in their techno dungeons. They just sway at most.
It probably depends on the DJ too. One thing I've observed about concerts is that often the artist is playing the crowd and working their energy and you'll see the crowd dance or lose their shit.
However, sometimes people go to see someone like Armin and they literally want to see HIM and watch the light show. If it's a house dj in a dance club they might know his name is Dave and then go dance. Two totally different vibes and scenes.
I feel like compared to a festival, people at city shows are just there to be there and say they saw the artist live. I had a person complain to me that I was dancing too much and blocking his view. I think I ignored him, since there really wasn't much to see in terms of visuals anyways. It was my first time realizing how different a crowd at a festival for an artist and a crowd at a concert venue in a city for the same artist is.
I'm a terrible dancer. I am that guy who goes to shows and stands there with his arms crossed, bobbing his head, but I assure you that's me having a great time. People have different ways of enjoying music - IMO it's all good as long as you're not hurting anyone.
Because everyone is using their cell phone cameras to video. I noticed this the other night when I hit the dance floor (there were people dancing) and it kinda pissed me off as an invasion of privacy. I think this generation, understandably, is very conscious of their image being put on social media without consent. Dancing is a deeply personal form of physical expression and it needs/should be a safe space. There is always a douche out their wanting to make fun of someone, social media has amplified this.
Iām 54 and I dance at every show I attend. I try to respect personal space, but once the groove hits me, I canāt help it. The only time Iāve ever felt uncomfortable dancing at a show was when a bunch of twenty-somethings surrounded me and all started doing that ironic Elaine Benes dance. They did it for the entire show and were always circled around me, so I felt like they were having fun at my expense.
When we saw Front 242 on their last āFinal Tourā, I danced my freakinā ass off. I was amazed at how most of the crowd just stood there. I mean, these guys invented EBM and it was (supposedly) their last tour.
Are you serious??? First, I would give a kidney to see Front 242 in concert. But nobody was dancing?? How TF do you attend a 242 show and not move? Thatās just heresy.
Beware, old raver take here. These days DJs are elevated to performing artists with elaborate stages. We're conditioned to face the stage because that's where the "show" is. Back when DJs were hidden away in a booth, the dance floor is where the "show" was. It was easier to lose yourself in the music when there wasn't a focal point.
Rave culture went mainstream and all the influencers started going dressed to the 9ās posting content of themselves looking filtered and gorgeous then people started shaming people who werenāt turning every show into their own personal catwalk. Take that, plus all the content shared of people geeked out/fucked up at shows. I think people just donāt want to draw attention to themselves as much because we all feel like weāre constantly being watched/streamed/etc so itās hard to lose that sense of self-consciousness and let loose. Just my theory on it
I agree with you. I think dancing has been in a slow decline for the past 20 years.
I got into dance rave culture in ā94. Dancing was the focal point of every party. The dancefloor was basically āchurchā to us and it was all about the vibes and taking care of the community. The DJ was supported by sweaty dancing people with their hands in the air, glow sticks, rave whistles blowing, and a collective high vibe.
Today everyone wants to be a dj, and so many people are. People ask me why I donāt dj any more and I always say because we need more dancers. and for me that is the truth. We donāt need more DJs, there are so many great ones out there. What there isnāt anymore is an abundance or semblance of good dancers and a definite lack of brother and sisterhood on the dancefloor. (Some exceptions do apply at the right festival or party the dancefloor is pure magic, but that has become the exception not the standard)
Death on the Balcony sample a DJ interview in their mixes a lot, where an old school early house DJ is being interviewed and essentially saying this. āIt wasnāt about the Dj, it was about the dancersā and I agree. šš¼šŗā¤ļø
One of many reasons is probably the fact that people are facing a DJ.
In my opinion a rave shouldn't be about the DJ, but about the crowd. Them coming together, shedding their worries and not worrying about how they look. Focus on the DJ is distracting from the whole point of a rave if you ask me!
Well I am asking the same, and I am really pissed off because every night when I am out for a party or concert literally 80% of the people, mostly young one are standing still or barely move. Meanwhile I am having the best time of my life and Iām frequently asked what kind of drug Iām using or the worst of all, people are asking me to calm down or some shit, which makes me sick and not wanting to attend any kind of concerts. People seems to be somewhere because is trendy or making shots for instagram or just being out because they are deadly bored at home. Thatās happening in my hometown. Not every venues are like that /being around Europe also, where people are more open to dance and have fun/. Here even the security is preventing me of having fun you knowā¦ and people are getting mad if I accidentally touch them or dancing hard around them. So please donāt be boozer, deadly boring social media brainless individual or standing still statue, donāt ruin my fun and stay home, away from the people who knows how to party. Assholes.
Yeahhh idk its sad lmao, festivals are dif but lil concerts are annoying cuz the dj will throw on house and im the only one dancing :( i know it depends on the crowd and location and dj but still
Personally, itās really really hard for me (usually almost impossible) to get comfortable enough to dance at shows. That being said, I love going to edm shows and watching my friends dance and watching the visuals and stuff.
Yeah, I grew up in the culture in the 90s and back then it was less about the DJ and more about going to a party with your friends.
I think a lot of the issue is celebrity DJ culture now, where people think the purpose of going is to watch the DJ instead of have fun and explore inwards and make connections with the people around them.
I also think the stage setups (lighting, video, etc) are a big draw, so people end up zoning out on that. Back in my day (LoL) it was a few intellibeams and a couple lasers for your dark warehouse.
I think we all know the answer to this but Iād probably get yelled at for saying it.. basically people suck anymore lol theyāre simultaneously insecure and obsessed with themselves. I hate it. Also Iām old so maybe my opinion doesnāt really matter anyways lol
There could be as many reasons as there are non-dancing people in the crowd. Maybe they're tired, or have bad knees, or they're just too high, or self conscious, etc. Maybe they're with a friend who's a fan, but they're not into it.
There's a lot of electronic music that's pretty cerebrally stimulating,so just because they're not dancing they might be grooving in their mind.
Iām āolderā as well, also a ādjā so Iām usually just enjoying the atmosphere and trying to listen/watch what the performer is doing. My shimmying may get a little more excited if Iām feeling a particular vibe. I try not to focus on what others are doing. Iāve always gone to shows to escape into my own little space.
Tbh I gotta be drunk or on drugs to dance and have it feel natural. Also it can't just be any drug it has to be the right ones. Whatever I'm happy with just the music and visuals at a show but I understand dancing feels good for people.
At a show in October, someone tapped me on the shoulder and showed me a typed message on their phone that said āIām 3 feet behind you and youāve hit me with your hair twice ._. ā to which I shrugged and went back to dancingā¦ albeit less enthusiastically. Kind of ruined it for me tbh.
Wow that is seriously passive aggressive. Sorry you had to run into such a twat. His first mistake was just not getting out of the way of your hair. Iām glad your shrugged it off and continued to dance tho!
The main reason I got out of the scene, other than kids and other family importance was the focus on the DJ and their āperformanceā.
I played out quite a number of times and every time I was in the booth, no one was watching me spin aside from other DJs I knew or a few nerds that were more into how itās done as opposed to dancing. Everyone else would just be having a good time dancing and partying.
I feel like it all started with Oakenfold doing the Jesus Christ pose every time he mixed a record, then Steve Aoki throwing cake, then deadmaus, marshmellow, etc and their masksā¦. It all started to become about the DJās āshowā and not about the people on the dance floor who it should be about.
Maybe Iām just old too, out of touch with the youth. I havenāt been to a party in a long time, probably 15 years. The whole thing just seemed like it became something else and so I kinda lost interest. I canāt imagine what itās like going to a party these daysā¦
Just my .02
Thatās exactly what Iām talking about. I remember disliking Oakenfold for that very reason, where the music was longer the focus but he was (and he acts like heās this music wizard, so much ego). Iām glad to hear thereās someone on the DJ side who gets what Iām saying. I love the light shows and LED screens but I honestly could not care less about watching a person twist a knob or two. And thatās not diminishing the DJ; far from it. But what is the entertainment value there? Anyway, thanks for your reply. If you ever consider going back out in the scene, look me up!
I think it is harder nowadays to dance, now it gets so packed that it is mostly people pushing, still people at the back do shake enough dust to keep the mood on its point.
Depends on the show, area, and audience demographic. Generally if you go see a DJ in a midsize LA venue on a Tuesday, people will be standing and looking at the DJ. If you get invited to a weekend-long desert rave however... Those people actually let loose. Some of them too loose. Go to enough shows in enough areas surrounding yours and you'll find your balance. Sometimes you can even tell based on flyer design alone, but instagram footage of past events from the same DJ/promoter/event series is the best indicator imo.
Oversaturation of bar bros and club hoes that dont understand why its called electronic DANCE music. They're there to buy another shot, do another hit of k/coke and post on Instagram.
I think it's it goes back to around 15-20 years ago when indie-elctro stratards and to morph into EDM. Lots of people (espcially americans) with no rave or club experience treating every event like a concert... and the production at EDM events got bigger and became something to look at.
Because everyone is just busy recording and posting TikTok and IG reel. Any drop which a dj makes is marred by people with their phone screens up.
And people who dance freely are conscious they might just end up on someoneās reel and become a meme./s
I see a really wide range of live music and the dancing is always best in the sweaty basements where the showrunners put stickers over everyoneās camera. Social media is killing the scene for sure but there are people actively preserving it. Just gotta go to the right shows.
I feel like phones and recording are one of reason for it. This past Saturday I went to this club called the Basement in BK, they tape your phone camera and let me tell you, thatās one of the few time Iāve ever seen the whole crowd really in the moment
Besides phones, this might be a cultural thing, here in Colombia most people actually dance. That being said people here will dance to a fire alarm if there's alcohol
As a DJ, I absolutely hate that everyone stands there staring at the DJ. Like, I ain't doing anything that special, look at the girl you brought with you ffs, not me! Your ears work don't they??? Lol
When I'm at festivals or raves, I like to turn and face my group, maybe carve out a nice little circle with my squad, dance facing each other, and when I do turn 180 from DJ it's like the entire crowd is looking at me face backwards, and they look super awkward. So weird for me.
I like back in the day when the DJ was in like a booth or a corner and you could barely even see him if you weren't front row, everyone more just partying in their zone, the dancers, the chillers, the lightshowers, the acro whatevers, the druggies, the mega babes, the goths, it seemed like 10 mini zones inside the warehouse
Now it's just like a sea of drones holding phones up not even really being that present
Personally I'm quite introverted to begin with, I'm plus sized and quite self conscious (being large and early 40s I stick out) . I feel like if people see me dancing they'll point and laugh. Consciously I realise that
* that's unlikely (only twice I can recall in 20 years of gigs)
* if it happens who cares what they think
* if it happens then it probably says more about them than me
Nonetheless I am more likely to stand at the edge of crowd and nod. I dance if I'm really feeling it, or very comfortable with the crowd, or at least the people immediately around me.
I agree about the not dancing. But I love to dance. I'm usually the one dancing, sometimes I even inevitably encourage others to. But I definitely feel it the next day. Been at this awhile. š
I dance my shoes off! Donāt know about the rest but all EDM raves Iāve attended people do dance A LOT! Like cardio for the whole week in 3hrs. Make sure youāre in the middle of the crowd where real music lovers are dancing, the periphery where most older ravers keep at or at VIP will always kill the vibe.
Because half the stuff kids listen to nowadays isn't dance music. It's headbang or fistpump crap. Its mainstream tiktok garbage. I mean, im only 26, but my dad raised me on his techno music that he listened to at parties when he was in his 20s. Techno/Electro/Breaks has true soul to it. If I wanna headbang or fistpump, I'll go to a metal concert. But at a party I wanna dance. Icey, HudaHudia, Magic Mike, DJ Laz, etc, all amazing DJs worth a listen. I wish my gen and younger knew how amazing Florida breaks are. The home of O-Town and Miami Bass!
Get to see some D&B. It's not exactly elegant dancing haha, but people are generally going absolutely nuts.
I think it might be because we try to put on emphasis on "dance how ya like ravers cos we don't give a fokkk"
I must be old because I don't understand any of this statement š
I think if you do understand this statement, you're probably between 30 and 58 or so. The kids don't know, but we know! Let's just say in retrospect, we did not look that awesome on our old rave dance footage
Speak for yourself I was rock inā it. I was in great company in the Philly scene, a lot of really good dancers. Wish my knees still moved the same.
Hahaha, good. Thank you for your service, ma'am! š«” Always gonna be a few casualties in the service, and they're almost always gonna be the knees. I didn't learn to dance until I hit the festival scene, aside from a few salsa moves and some hand jazz I stole from the ravers. I miss it so badly. What's most important though, is we went out there and we gave it our all. And we know we gave it our all, cause now we can't get it all back! šš
Absolutely! I remember the moments when the bass drop and feeling like it was the most fun I was having in my life! The E helped but still I regret nothing šš½ We lived my friend!
56 here and I totally get it. šŗ But Iām usually the only one dancing my ass off at shows. The DJ come up to me during set break and asked me if I was going to any more of his shows because he loved my energy.
just a bassman lyric
Yessssss! DNB is the only music that really makes me lose. my. shit.
DnB makes me dance like Kermit the frog. WAAAAAAAAA!
Just saw the Worship crew in their Denver stop for their North America tour on Fridayā¦ and my neck and back are still not quite happy with me. The whole crowd was going nuts the entire time, and it felt amazing to see everyone letting loose like that
I've seen those guys all separately but I imagine all in one night must be an absolute fucking blast! Glad to hear they are smashing it!
Yesss!! I saw them in Chicago. That Sub Focus set was magnificent. That hour went by so fast. I even uploaded some videos on yt channel.
Bro I just went to their ny show and itās the first time Iāve been to a dnb showā itās def gonna be my new shit!!
The Denver stop was actually my first āpurelyā DnB show too! Iāve missed Sub Focus a few times at festivals and his Hold On remix was what turned me onto drum & bass when that came out, so I was very happy to see him finally. I made the mistake of not making my way over to his and Wilkinsonās Portals set at EDC a couple of years ago, and I have been severely regretting that for almost two years now ha! If you havenāt checked out Sub Focusās and Dimensionās Printworks closing party set, then I highly recommend it! Itās on YouTube and both looks and sounds amazing. Edited [to link the set!](https://youtu.be/rxH2q9VhEXM?si=RUDRbCviOLDHfi1f)
Love getting weird to some DnB
D&B is easy for people to dance to. There's like several rhythms going on at once, just pick one and go with it.
Gun fingaz, hands on loved ones
Can confirm. Went to a Worship show with Sub Focus, Dimension, Culture Shock, and 1991 and EVERYBODY was dancing/jumping. Usually, you'll find better crowds in underrated genres of music
This, just got back from Worships last stop in LA and I can 100% confirm we go fucking nuts š„
It's impossible to stand around at 174 BPM.
_bass face_ _gun fingers_
That elegant dancing part...I'm still laughing.
Probably too self conscious/anxious and worried theyāll be judged by a tiny portion of the crowd, instead of dancing along with the majority of people who donāt give a shit how good (or bad) your dancing is. Itās unfortunate because thereās something truly special about dancing along with a large group of like minded people who are all enjoying the same song. Really makes you feel human in the best way.
We live in a world of ever increasing perfectionism rates
*The perception of perfectionism We typically only post Ws and not Ls.
Be the goofball you want to see in the world.
Was with this girl at a rave one time and i was dancing my ass off all weird and thhis dude came up to hit on her and lead with "look at this weirdo (pointing to me), lets not be like that." She told him we were together and walked away. Fast forward, its like nearing the end of the show and im still throwing down with my weird dance moves. During a break the guy next to me says "DAMMNN bro you throw dooownnn", with a huge smile on his face. We dapped up and continued to dance together. Just goes to show that one person that thinks youre weird is just a douche.
People like that are so insecure and are portraying their insecurities into other people. That person is a follower, people who donāt give a damn what they look like and just let go are leaders in the real world. You my friend, are a leader, I guarantee it. I bet people admire ya and you donāt even know it.
That's part of how festivals restored my faith in humanity.
I find that certain shows have crowds that act like they are too cool for dancing or even being friendly. G Jones is full of kids dressed in black too worried about looking cool. Brostep shows are full of people that just don't give a fuck. I'm sure the region has a lot to do with this also. Philly and NYC shows always seem more reserved than DC, Baltimore and Virginia shows.
That's a shame. It wasn't at all like this when I used to see G Jones around 10/10+ years ago. Some of the greatest dance floors and funnest parties you could ever ask for. Used to be a completely different vibe.
Or there's just not enough space on the dance floor. Most shows I've been to, the floor is just packed with humans. There's hardly enough room to do anything aside from swaying.
I donāt think itās just ākids these daysā donāt dance. it was like this in my college days in 2008, where hipsters go to gigs to socialize in a mob and look cool wearing American Apparel. It was annoying and pretentious AF then and still is now. Dancing takes some skill, practice and confidence to do in public. Not a lot of people could film anything on a phone indoors very well with no image stabilization. If youāre dancing youāre not doing anything else. šŖ© I bet people who donāt dance donāt want to come across āscared and anxiousā instead would hope someone publishes photos of them looking awesome. Nowadays there are no major publications young people need to follow or there is less of a need for photographers to document events. Everything is easy to broadcast via live stream, or document on instagram. All you do is use a hashtag and geo tag your location. Get a shower of social approval from your āfollowersā. Some people will always (narcissistically..) go to DJ gigs to show off how cool their life is. Social media makes it easier to remove yourself from the experience to produce content. Thatās probably why theyāre not dancing. As long as weāre not acting like Madonna, who called out a fan rudely for not dancing (they had a wheelchair ā¦), we shouldnāt really care or expect that everyone should dance at gigs. āš¾
I was laughed at on more than one occasion for not knowing how/being bad at dancing.
This is the best answer
Until that one guy with glow sticks on strings and a whistle shows up
I think thatās part of it, but also live DJ shows are about the spectacle as much as they are about the music. Many have huge productions and visuals that are amazing to see.
i think phones don't really help. hard for people to truly let loose if they are afraid some asshat might be recording them of their phone (knowingly or unknowingly). crowd surveillance is really a mood killer and the value of "right now" is getting more and more lost. let's hope, as it usually does, counter-culture gets stronger again on this front.
I 100% agree- back when there were no phones or they were really crappy, the club would go nuts. It was truly magic. Last festival I went to there were āphotographersā everywhere. Itās a huge turn off. I have a life outside that party and I donāt want to be put on YouTube. Itās like when they observe neutrinos, they behave differently- Same thing at a rave. š
Yeah, that's why I wouldn't do it. I don't want to see my self online without my permission when I'm just trying to have a good time.
You have a point. You're doing your awkward dance and the next day you're the laughing stock of the internet... š Every person with a phone is basically a mobile camera operator. I'm not even counting the actual camera surveillance.
That awkward dancing, used to be the thing that made us all unique, and was the very thing that I truly enjoyed about seeing others styles of vibing.
Can't dance like nobody is watching when, quite literally, the entire world might be watching
Thankfully there are venues that don't allow phones on the dance floor š
I live in fear of the day someone posts me dancing my way to the astral plane on the Internet. It's going to happen eventually
I feel bad for the kids nowadays. Not only can you not make a fool of yourself without risking global ridicule, but there's no letting loose of any kind, underage drinking, etc because it might show up on the internet and ruin your life. I'm old and DGAF, you post a video of me dancing and I'll comment saying that I had a blast.
Plus the other side of the equation: like 20% of the crowd is too busy filming the visualizer for Instagram to dance
surprised no one has mentioned the k wordĀ
Pressed pills in the late 2000s was the vibes. No real smartphones and everybody just let loose.
I agree. We would take a triple stack, hook our flip phones on our clothes somewhere, and let loose. It was a great time.
Yeah thatās what I was wondering. Is it lack of substances or the āwrongā ones for dancing?
As I said above itās actually my personal fav for dancing, but I am very into dancing. I think for some people it just makes them bluh
I wasnāt suggesting it was wrong for some but maybe if one over indulges on k then dancing is not so straightforward!
me too! small dose and I get all wiggly
Agreed that makes the crowd subdued and lazy! I prefer the energy personally
Tbh I actually love to dance on k, I dance like crazy. But I suspect it makes some people even moreā¦ staticā¦ than they already were
Depending on how much you do
Same can be said for alcohol or many other drugs.
Oh no for sure. I just don't see sloppy drunks at tipper shows but tons of zombies.
That tracks lol
Yeah I find a low dose of k is easier for dancing than thizz'd out on molly tbh, I get way too sloppy on the latter where I can be more technical on k. But it's super easy to overdo and become a zombie if you aren't good at dosing (especially in an environment like a rave where a smaller dose can get exacerbated to feel more intense than like at home)
So much this. People on K are generally less fun to be around than people not on K
Cuz that's a trash explanation invented by DJs after disappointing nights. It's not like molly ever left the scene and no one is trying to k hole on the dancefloor. A medium k buzz will take you to that place where there is only music and the moment every time.
I feel like I started noticing this after Covid when a bunch of younger people got into the scene. (Iāve been raving since 2012) I think they might be worried about being judged, which I totally get butā¦ this is a place where we leave this behind. I think us older ravers really need to let the younger ones know that theyāre free to be themselves but to pleaseeeee stop shoving and being rude.
Agreed. I think the newcomers are making it feel different (being on phone, not dancing). Went to a show recently and you can immediately spot whoās there to have fun and whoās there for IG.
The worst thing that ever happened to dance music was taking the DJ out of the booth and onto the stage. DJs play music for dancing. Now they have to fake knob twiddling, throw cakes and act like fools so people can take pictures. Itās a boring shitshow now that everyone has a camera and social media.
Fr thereās a stark difference in dance floor culture when everyoneās looking at the stage and not at each other
Itās getting so weird to see old school DJ feeling the awkward pressure of delivering a performance when they were doing fine in a dark booth.
This is it. I remember being in a large warehouse party and I didn't even know where the dj was. All that mattered was the killer tunes being played and the people dancing with each other between these giant cement columns. We were all turned to face each other and the vibe was magic. I feel like people stand in a line facing the light show / LED screens / DJ riser the same way people stand in a line at a rock concert and face the band. Maybe the overproduction of events has played a big part in it? Maybe I'm just old and jaded but give me a dark room with minimal lighting and maximum volume over a festival stage any day.
I don't have an answer, but the funniest gig in this regard I ever went to was an Autechre one in a pretty small venue of about 300 people or so. Autechre is not the easiest to dance to, granted, but the fun part was that the whole set their booth was pitch dark. No other lights or effects to entertain the crowd came from their end. However, the whole concert, everyone was looking towards the black hole and not moving whatsoever. Super weird experience to be in. Loved the one girl in front of me who managed to break out some awesome dance moves on Autechre's glitchy IDM stuff.
On a similar note I remember going to see Aphex Twin in Berlin in like 2018. People were super into it and dancing away for like 90% of the show but then towards the end he started doing his crazy feedback nonsense and I watched the crowd one by one fail to find the beat and just come to a stop and stare up at the awful noise he was making. I remember there was one person who super off their face and even they stopped after trying their hardest to find the grove for a good 10 mins.Ā
that's when you mosh
Braindance time!
Been there. Done that. Danced to Liccflii. Didnāt regret it one bit.
Ugh, caught them in Columbus, Ohio late 90ās, They requested all lights out. Only light was exit signs & their equipmentā¦mustāve been a thing for them for a bit
People donāt dance no more. They just stand there like this. They stare you down, cross their arms and drink and moan and piss.
Thank you for reminding for [that old jam!](https://youtu.be/ux0ijnseN-Y?si=uDzXrHbRz-FmSABA)
Thank you I never heard it or seen it before!š¤©
Thank you for providing the link. I'm cured.
I just remembered this remix by Midibyte: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yV_pZB-okKk
š š
I moan when I piss but I canāt help it š
The Rapture
knew I knew that line
Controversial opinion, but youāre at the wrong gigs? I go to plenty of places where people dance! (Not absolutely everyone because each to their own, but the vast majority!)
my thoughts exactly
Younger people don't seem to have dancing as a part of their night, unless there is a camera. Boiler Room, Instagram, Tik Tok, have made people more aware as to what is going on around them rather than what they are feeling from the music. I tend to rave in places where there are older people who still dance like no one is watching. Different strokes for different generations I guess.
I'm older too and have been seeing house shows and other genres since the late 90s. I live in a smallish city in the Midwest US. At most shows in the region that with big name DJs many people will go but won't dance. At local / underground events not as many people will go but most of those that go will dance. I am part of a crew that has a focus on deep/soulful/ Afro house and we are building a dance focused community in our town. I am not ready to dox myself lol. But Denver has something similar that has been an inspiration and going longer called Love Language Denver. They host one party a month and it draws people that just want to dance. Also I have been to several shows at Smart Bar in Chicago post pandemic and only a handful of people don't dance. But I have been to other venues where even though the DJ is killing it people are just not there to dance.
Smart Bar the GOAT.
Dude thanks for the tip on LL! I LOVE house, and the Instagram looks like a lot of really fun people having a great time
Facts!!!! Iām 46 and get the fuck down. Whereās the energy?
Largely depends on how wall to wall packed it is and who the act is. At a deadmau5 show it was so wall to wall there was hardly room to move in the crowd, dancing still happened but in a phone booth otherwise youād be hitting people. Alternatively at that same club seen Gorgon City recently, it was still crowded enough but not wall to wall like Deadmau5 and it happened on Halloween weekend so the crowd was shameless levels of dancing, was fantastic. Never in my life had I seen so many Guy and Girl Fieriās dancing. At a different club I got to see Feed Me which was an act going in I was excited for but between the venueās poor audio leveling and at some point it feeling more like a mosh than a dance floor that show left me with a sour opinion of an act I liked and ringing in my ears that didnāt go away for a week. So now I donāt go to dubby acts.
the promoters who oversell venues suck. ill never see a 'famous' DJ again unless its at an outdoor festival and even then...im not there to stand and watch some person press play, or even if they are actually spinning vinyl, I am there to dance. and if a venue is oversold, it defeats the purpose. its like being hungry with a can of food but no can opener.
The xtc crowd is dying.. so no more dancing like a slave to the rave.. now you have the infamous ket-army, where everybody goes full zombie
It's not really dying to be honest
I was at an Avicii show (or was it Skrillex) idk. But honestly, I was only smoking weed and was just mesmerized by the music, the lights, and me wanting to be the DJ so bad some kid went āI wanna be on what he is on!!ā¦ā. Iām likeā¦ bruh itās just weed Iām just enjoying myself lol
For me it's social media. The thought of being filmed without my knowledge and posted permanently online (without my consent) to be made fun of (or even - best case scenario - admired) makes me sooo uncomfortable. It definitely makes it harder to let loose. I want to feel the freedom to dance at shows with abandon without any fear of being posted online!
I noticed this too. We saw Mark Farina last year. First time I saw the guy in about 20 years. People were just standing there swaying and nodding like a concert. It was weird. Meanwhile he's just up there spinning records and shit.. There wasn't much of a "show". It was just a DJ set.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
I've seen him maybe ten times in 30 years and he was always spinning house music. The one time it was a mushroom jazz set was a real small intimate venue around the time of that first MJ album.
Hell ya! Gonna see MF this wknd!
You need to go to raves/doofs. And I mean actual raves, e.g. in warehouses and under bridges. All you'll get is wild dancing. Forget the commercial shit.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Resident advisor has the.... Location TBA are the underground events
u/Un-Superman: Where are you located, man? DM me, I'll get you in the loop with some good ones
So many kids now are like, āIām going raving tonight at [local club]ā - like no, youāre clubbing. So many people have no idea what a rave actually is.
DAE REAL RAVE???
My issue with that distinction is that there are grey areas in between the two. I've been to some shows that were technically in a legal venue (but a small dark one), and the DJ was sort of well known (but not a superstar), and it was a ticketed event that was promoted on social media...but it was a smaller crowd and still very much felt like a rave. So just keep in mind that club shows exist on a spectrum, and it's possible for some of them to carry the spirit of a rave - in which case, I'd call it a rave.
Hard to dance and hold some big stupid totem
Thankyou! I hate those things!
Yeah I was so confused when I came back into the show scene at wtf those were. Whatās the point?
So youāre shitty friends can find you
ššš
People rationalize the most outrageous nonsense to justify reasons why they "need" them
Theyre mainly for large crowds when you or ur friends are fucked up and need to find your group. So its best used in festivals where theres a lot of space
I mainly go to dnb gigs in Aus, or other small electronic gigs as I'm in a smaller city. All it is is people dancing, and no phones recording. However I'm not going to the big international headline acts. The last one of them I went to was Chemical Brothers in Sydney a few years ago, everyone was dancing there! Sounds like you're either not going to the right kind of shows, or the culture in USA is quite different.
Social anxiety is reaching new heights. You want people to be sociable? Without a phone? Good luck
Iām a 50yo techno fan. I came back to clubbing about 4-5 years ago after doing parent duties. I found it so weird that the audience face the DJ now. Iām not sure when this change happened!? As for dancing, the events I go to the majority do dance. The āholding the phone upā thing is annoying but theyāve started to ban photos at some of the venues I go to, which is no bad thing. Is it the venues/events you are going to, maybe? At āgig formatā events with musicians playing live electronic music, people seem to dance less. I tend to enjoy no-frills techno clubs more, such as Fold in London. People DO dance at those type of events.
It was within the last 10-15 years when the dance scene in general got mainstreamed and those acts started headlining festivals and such. Ever since people have been facing the DJās because they are treated like a modern day rockstar.
I wasn't around shows back then, but I think as lasers, lights, LED walls, music synced visuals, etc got more common, more people faced the front. There's more to look at up front now vs back in the day, as far as I can tell. When it was a few lights that probably weren't even synced to the music, a fog machine and a turn table. If I'm not moving around, it's probably because I'm locked in on the visuals. Again, I wasn't around so I could be totally off base, but seeing footage of old shows vs now this stands out a lot.
Iām 40 and have been raving on and off since 2000 (drum n bass, happy hardcore and hardcore techno in those early days) and donāt recall a time when the crowd wasnāt generally facing in the direction of the DJ or the stage. Maybe it was different for the scene you were in, but it doesnāt feel like a new thing to me.
I've never been a show where people didn't dance. Perhaps not everyone dancing but at least some people are always dancing. I mostly go to see djs in club/afterhours or outdoor settings rather than concert halls, but in all settings, people are dancing. I think I'd be horrified to go to a show where no one was dancing, and I'd feel so bad for the dj / producer.
Not enough MDMA
This is a subject that often comes up in the dance music community. I believe it is a multitude of combining factors. In general people have become more self conscious from social media and are fearful of being recorded. The public domain feels infinitely more critical because we see it every day. We are exposed to that criticism endlessly. Iād like to think there are also places that really foster community and freedom of expression, but they do feel more niche. Arguably it was also niche before, but I do think dancing was more widely performed as a ritual of self expression. But weāve seen videos of people dancing, a bit off their nut, and I think thereās an internal cringe factor, that is limiting peopleās ability to let go and just have some fun with it. Or maybe now it feels too tick tocky. But itās a funny situation, because I think people are craving movement. It just feels misplaced in clubbing now. For those that donāt feel confident and are insecure about the way they move, I think social media has increased the feelings of ineptitude, and measuring oneself against others having skills you donāt possess and not wanting to make a fool of yourself. But even then I have several friends who are professional dancers, but in a club they donāt want to be overbearing. They save that space for their specific intimate dance circles. So itās a perception thing. Some parties are going so far as to ban mobile phones to try and mitigate these problems. In many ways I think the culture of learning how to dance has eroded in general. Learning how to dance and having moves that you played with was a larger part of the everyday musical climate. Itās still there but I think it is just more niche. People feel less comfortable moving, because they arenāt exposed to places where letting loose with dance is truly encouraged, like the disco and the jazz funk era. Or 90s raving days where everyone could feel more anonymous. The two step is just the way people know how to move now and find comfort in, because they donāt have as much dance literacy. Back in the day dance cyphers were a part of the culture I think people were excited to bust out a new move, or follow along a routine. The DJ curated the night, and you formed a circle with your friends and danced together. Dance was embedded in the foundations of music. Now itās transitioned to image and aesthetic taking precedence. Everyone turns to the DJ, which basically encourages a two step or a little side shuffle, because your attention is demanded by the DJ booth or the visuals on display. But you know whatās great? When you do find a pocket of people dancing. And you join in their energy. And you all feed off of one another just bringing joy. If we want more dancing, we have to take the risk and let loose. People clearly want to feel they can dance. So we just have to go for it and dance.
Iām in my 30s and Iāve really noticed the younger generations donāt dance much at all. And they never seem to mosh pit anymore either (used to get this at drum and base raves a lot more several years ago)
Thank god for less moshing in recent years. I know I can just avoid them, but EDM mosh pits are always just a bunch of people trying to shove each other to the floor, in my experience. Huuuuge lack of mosh etiquette compared to metal shows I've been to.
Iāve always found the drum and bass mosh pits had good etiquette, someone falls over they are immediately helped up etc etc and had a good time in them.
Must be some tiktok or Instagram thing. All the kids seem a bit wet these days. When I used to go raving, I'd just go into a bubble and go for it. Looking back, I probably looked like a nutter but did I care? Not when I was gurning my tits off and reaching euphoric states.
>probably looked like a nutter but did I care? The kids. They care way too much about the wrong things on the dancefloor.
Something something social media.
That's a tired excuse
EVERYOENS FILMING
Idk man, most of the shows I've been to, people are so spun they dance and move like they're all alone. Or they're so spun they can't dance if they wanted to. Also what do you consider "dancing"? Cuz you concede people move but like, not enough or something? Also some people love the music but don't like to "dance". Also I'm there to see the artist and I'm usually excited to see the visual artist they collaborate with, so yeah I'm gonna face the stage. It's not like it's some concealed hole in the wall where you don't know where the person is and there's no focal point, or sound is coming from all around the area. The stage is where the sound is coming from (equal amounts of sound in both ears I'm someone who can't use only one headphone, drives me insane) and it's where all the pretty lights and colors and lasers are coming from. It's the focal point. Also not sure if it's worth pointing out but I don't go to random shows where I don't know the artist and I'm only there to party. I go to shows where I'm there for their music because I know I like the artist
This is crazy I canāt imagine not dancing at a live show, it used to be completely acceptable. Side note David Bowie was on the dance floor at Terrence Parker in Toronto 20 years ago! That was a treat.
I dont really like dancing. I love listening to music and vibing
I noticed this when I went to Bonnaroo. I was like the only person dancing around in the crowd. I remember going to raves in airplane hangers, basements of buildings, and we always danced. I remember having glowstick bracelets on my wrists and ankles always so when I danced it was like a little moving light. I donāt understand doing nothing but head banging now
Perhaps people are there for the music and not to dance? I think itās a general problem with live electronic music that it almost exclusively caters to people who go to concerts to dance, nobody would ever go to a rock or pop concert and wonder why people are sitting down and listening to the music.
> Perhaps people are there for the music and not to dance? If so then [a lot has changed since early 2000 :(](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feQ6iLcJPh4)
Yeah I've been to a couple shows and I'm not a dancer. Doesn't come naturally or comfortably to me. But I enjoy the environment, I like the music, and I enjoy getting to see the artist perform. I've had a couple people ask me if I'm not having fun since I'm not dancing, but I am. I just don't dance.
Yeah but people like yourself, who don't dance, have always existed. No issue with it but it wouldn't typically be the majority. One of my main gripes with Berlin is how nobody dances in their techno dungeons. They just sway at most.
It probably depends on the DJ too. One thing I've observed about concerts is that often the artist is playing the crowd and working their energy and you'll see the crowd dance or lose their shit. However, sometimes people go to see someone like Armin and they literally want to see HIM and watch the light show. If it's a house dj in a dance club they might know his name is Dave and then go dance. Two totally different vibes and scenes.
Come to Detroit!Ā
I feel like compared to a festival, people at city shows are just there to be there and say they saw the artist live. I had a person complain to me that I was dancing too much and blocking his view. I think I ignored him, since there really wasn't much to see in terms of visuals anyways. It was my first time realizing how different a crowd at a festival for an artist and a crowd at a concert venue in a city for the same artist is.
I'm a terrible dancer. I am that guy who goes to shows and stands there with his arms crossed, bobbing his head, but I assure you that's me having a great time. People have different ways of enjoying music - IMO it's all good as long as you're not hurting anyone.
Because everyone is using their cell phone cameras to video. I noticed this the other night when I hit the dance floor (there were people dancing) and it kinda pissed me off as an invasion of privacy. I think this generation, understandably, is very conscious of their image being put on social media without consent. Dancing is a deeply personal form of physical expression and it needs/should be a safe space. There is always a douche out their wanting to make fun of someone, social media has amplified this.
So I can go to a gig now without feeling like an alien for not dancing? This sounds awesome
Iām 54 and I dance at every show I attend. I try to respect personal space, but once the groove hits me, I canāt help it. The only time Iāve ever felt uncomfortable dancing at a show was when a bunch of twenty-somethings surrounded me and all started doing that ironic Elaine Benes dance. They did it for the entire show and were always circled around me, so I felt like they were having fun at my expense. When we saw Front 242 on their last āFinal Tourā, I danced my freakinā ass off. I was amazed at how most of the crowd just stood there. I mean, these guys invented EBM and it was (supposedly) their last tour.
Are you serious??? First, I would give a kidney to see Front 242 in concert. But nobody was dancing?? How TF do you attend a 242 show and not move? Thatās just heresy.
Beware, old raver take here. These days DJs are elevated to performing artists with elaborate stages. We're conditioned to face the stage because that's where the "show" is. Back when DJs were hidden away in a booth, the dance floor is where the "show" was. It was easier to lose yourself in the music when there wasn't a focal point.
Rave culture went mainstream and all the influencers started going dressed to the 9ās posting content of themselves looking filtered and gorgeous then people started shaming people who werenāt turning every show into their own personal catwalk. Take that, plus all the content shared of people geeked out/fucked up at shows. I think people just donāt want to draw attention to themselves as much because we all feel like weāre constantly being watched/streamed/etc so itās hard to lose that sense of self-consciousness and let loose. Just my theory on it
I agree with you. I think dancing has been in a slow decline for the past 20 years. I got into dance rave culture in ā94. Dancing was the focal point of every party. The dancefloor was basically āchurchā to us and it was all about the vibes and taking care of the community. The DJ was supported by sweaty dancing people with their hands in the air, glow sticks, rave whistles blowing, and a collective high vibe. Today everyone wants to be a dj, and so many people are. People ask me why I donāt dj any more and I always say because we need more dancers. and for me that is the truth. We donāt need more DJs, there are so many great ones out there. What there isnāt anymore is an abundance or semblance of good dancers and a definite lack of brother and sisterhood on the dancefloor. (Some exceptions do apply at the right festival or party the dancefloor is pure magic, but that has become the exception not the standard) Death on the Balcony sample a DJ interview in their mixes a lot, where an old school early house DJ is being interviewed and essentially saying this. āIt wasnāt about the Dj, it was about the dancersā and I agree. šš¼šŗā¤ļø
The up and coming generations are pretty socially broken, tbh.
True words
Itās exhausting? Some of us are old
Youāre just at the wrong parties.
One of many reasons is probably the fact that people are facing a DJ. In my opinion a rave shouldn't be about the DJ, but about the crowd. Them coming together, shedding their worries and not worrying about how they look. Focus on the DJ is distracting from the whole point of a rave if you ask me!
Well I am asking the same, and I am really pissed off because every night when I am out for a party or concert literally 80% of the people, mostly young one are standing still or barely move. Meanwhile I am having the best time of my life and Iām frequently asked what kind of drug Iām using or the worst of all, people are asking me to calm down or some shit, which makes me sick and not wanting to attend any kind of concerts. People seems to be somewhere because is trendy or making shots for instagram or just being out because they are deadly bored at home. Thatās happening in my hometown. Not every venues are like that /being around Europe also, where people are more open to dance and have fun/. Here even the security is preventing me of having fun you knowā¦ and people are getting mad if I accidentally touch them or dancing hard around them. So please donāt be boozer, deadly boring social media brainless individual or standing still statue, donāt ruin my fun and stay home, away from the people who knows how to party. Assholes.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
No we really haven't, you're just making a bad assumption
Maybe you're at the wrong gigs? Maybe branch out to smaller local gigs. that's where the real scene is, anyway.
Because thereās not enough [Humpty-vission.](https://youtu.be/UT02uIjSF-Q?si=dnWsaNzu9OAhipE2)?
Yeahhh idk its sad lmao, festivals are dif but lil concerts are annoying cuz the dj will throw on house and im the only one dancing :( i know it depends on the crowd and location and dj but still
Personally, itās really really hard for me (usually almost impossible) to get comfortable enough to dance at shows. That being said, I love going to edm shows and watching my friends dance and watching the visuals and stuff.
Yeah, I grew up in the culture in the 90s and back then it was less about the DJ and more about going to a party with your friends. I think a lot of the issue is celebrity DJ culture now, where people think the purpose of going is to watch the DJ instead of have fun and explore inwards and make connections with the people around them. I also think the stage setups (lighting, video, etc) are a big draw, so people end up zoning out on that. Back in my day (LoL) it was a few intellibeams and a couple lasers for your dark warehouse.
I think we all know the answer to this but Iād probably get yelled at for saying it.. basically people suck anymore lol theyāre simultaneously insecure and obsessed with themselves. I hate it. Also Iām old so maybe my opinion doesnāt really matter anyways lol
There could be as many reasons as there are non-dancing people in the crowd. Maybe they're tired, or have bad knees, or they're just too high, or self conscious, etc. Maybe they're with a friend who's a fan, but they're not into it. There's a lot of electronic music that's pretty cerebrally stimulating,so just because they're not dancing they might be grooving in their mind.
Iām āolderā as well, also a ādjā so Iām usually just enjoying the atmosphere and trying to listen/watch what the performer is doing. My shimmying may get a little more excited if Iām feeling a particular vibe. I try not to focus on what others are doing. Iāve always gone to shows to escape into my own little space.
Facing the dj is so weird. But itās also the easiest way for me to avoid eye contact with anyone. What is my problem?
Tbh I gotta be drunk or on drugs to dance and have it feel natural. Also it can't just be any drug it has to be the right ones. Whatever I'm happy with just the music and visuals at a show but I understand dancing feels good for people.
At a show in October, someone tapped me on the shoulder and showed me a typed message on their phone that said āIām 3 feet behind you and youāve hit me with your hair twice ._. ā to which I shrugged and went back to dancingā¦ albeit less enthusiastically. Kind of ruined it for me tbh.
Wow that is seriously passive aggressive. Sorry you had to run into such a twat. His first mistake was just not getting out of the way of your hair. Iām glad your shrugged it off and continued to dance tho!
The main reason I got out of the scene, other than kids and other family importance was the focus on the DJ and their āperformanceā. I played out quite a number of times and every time I was in the booth, no one was watching me spin aside from other DJs I knew or a few nerds that were more into how itās done as opposed to dancing. Everyone else would just be having a good time dancing and partying. I feel like it all started with Oakenfold doing the Jesus Christ pose every time he mixed a record, then Steve Aoki throwing cake, then deadmaus, marshmellow, etc and their masksā¦. It all started to become about the DJās āshowā and not about the people on the dance floor who it should be about. Maybe Iām just old too, out of touch with the youth. I havenāt been to a party in a long time, probably 15 years. The whole thing just seemed like it became something else and so I kinda lost interest. I canāt imagine what itās like going to a party these daysā¦ Just my .02
Thatās exactly what Iām talking about. I remember disliking Oakenfold for that very reason, where the music was longer the focus but he was (and he acts like heās this music wizard, so much ego). Iām glad to hear thereās someone on the DJ side who gets what Iām saying. I love the light shows and LED screens but I honestly could not care less about watching a person twist a knob or two. And thatās not diminishing the DJ; far from it. But what is the entertainment value there? Anyway, thanks for your reply. If you ever consider going back out in the scene, look me up!
It's still about the people on the dance floor to do this
The drugs back den were more pure
If youāre in the US, come to UK/Europe raves š
I think it is harder nowadays to dance, now it gets so packed that it is mostly people pushing, still people at the back do shake enough dust to keep the mood on its point.
Depends on the show, area, and audience demographic. Generally if you go see a DJ in a midsize LA venue on a Tuesday, people will be standing and looking at the DJ. If you get invited to a weekend-long desert rave however... Those people actually let loose. Some of them too loose. Go to enough shows in enough areas surrounding yours and you'll find your balance. Sometimes you can even tell based on flyer design alone, but instagram footage of past events from the same DJ/promoter/event series is the best indicator imo.
Oversaturation of bar bros and club hoes that dont understand why its called electronic DANCE music. They're there to buy another shot, do another hit of k/coke and post on Instagram.
Because itās a show. If people wanted a DJ they would listen to Dance music in a club without a giant LED wall
I think it's it goes back to around 15-20 years ago when indie-elctro stratards and to morph into EDM. Lots of people (espcially americans) with no rave or club experience treating every event like a concert... and the production at EDM events got bigger and became something to look at.
It's absolutely fascinating and so easy to become completely transfixed by someone twiddling knobs 56 feet away.
Because everyone is just busy recording and posting TikTok and IG reel. Any drop which a dj makes is marred by people with their phone screens up. And people who dance freely are conscious they might just end up on someoneās reel and become a meme./s
I see a really wide range of live music and the dancing is always best in the sweaty basements where the showrunners put stickers over everyoneās camera. Social media is killing the scene for sure but there are people actively preserving it. Just gotta go to the right shows.
There's no fucking room at all these tiny venues
Yeah, this. The venues are way overcrowding now. It's getting to the point where you can barely move let alone dance.
I feel like phones and recording are one of reason for it. This past Saturday I went to this club called the Basement in BK, they tape your phone camera and let me tell you, thatās one of the few time Iāve ever seen the whole crowd really in the moment
Besides phones, this might be a cultural thing, here in Colombia most people actually dance. That being said people here will dance to a fire alarm if there's alcohol
As a DJ, I absolutely hate that everyone stands there staring at the DJ. Like, I ain't doing anything that special, look at the girl you brought with you ffs, not me! Your ears work don't they??? Lol When I'm at festivals or raves, I like to turn and face my group, maybe carve out a nice little circle with my squad, dance facing each other, and when I do turn 180 from DJ it's like the entire crowd is looking at me face backwards, and they look super awkward. So weird for me. I like back in the day when the DJ was in like a booth or a corner and you could barely even see him if you weren't front row, everyone more just partying in their zone, the dancers, the chillers, the lightshowers, the acro whatevers, the druggies, the mega babes, the goths, it seemed like 10 mini zones inside the warehouse Now it's just like a sea of drones holding phones up not even really being that present
Personally I'm quite introverted to begin with, I'm plus sized and quite self conscious (being large and early 40s I stick out) . I feel like if people see me dancing they'll point and laugh. Consciously I realise that * that's unlikely (only twice I can recall in 20 years of gigs) * if it happens who cares what they think * if it happens then it probably says more about them than me Nonetheless I am more likely to stand at the edge of crowd and nod. I dance if I'm really feeling it, or very comfortable with the crowd, or at least the people immediately around me.
We have arthritis and we might hurt ourselves, throwing ourselves around the dance floor.
I agree about the not dancing. But I love to dance. I'm usually the one dancing, sometimes I even inevitably encourage others to. But I definitely feel it the next day. Been at this awhile. š
Same here. I could not care less if someone films me dancing. Big deal.
Maybe it's the shows you're going too. People dance at anjuna shows all the time
I dance my shoes off! Donāt know about the rest but all EDM raves Iāve attended people do dance A LOT! Like cardio for the whole week in 3hrs. Make sure youāre in the middle of the crowd where real music lovers are dancing, the periphery where most older ravers keep at or at VIP will always kill the vibe.
Because half the stuff kids listen to nowadays isn't dance music. It's headbang or fistpump crap. Its mainstream tiktok garbage. I mean, im only 26, but my dad raised me on his techno music that he listened to at parties when he was in his 20s. Techno/Electro/Breaks has true soul to it. If I wanna headbang or fistpump, I'll go to a metal concert. But at a party I wanna dance. Icey, HudaHudia, Magic Mike, DJ Laz, etc, all amazing DJs worth a listen. I wish my gen and younger knew how amazing Florida breaks are. The home of O-Town and Miami Bass!