My Top 10 Lessons after 50 Insomniac Music Festivals

1.) Pride yourself in seeing artists that you haven’t seen. Get outside of your comfort zone or “your EDM genre”

If you also have a desire in electronic music production, then you should read on.

I want to experience all the dopamine possible across all the builds and drops from every artist and every genre of EDM. This is what I came to learn after I saw one artist who I thought was or referenced as “commercial”, too famous, and I thought perhaps even cheesy. On that night, while rolling, I was proven so wrong that I nearly passed out; I had to sit down. This was at EDC Las Vegas 2019. The mix and the music put me on my ass because my stupid pre-judgements were all wrong. I felt humbled and stupid but a wave of euphoria washed over me like a bucket of star dust shooting out from my body.

When you make judgements on an artist's music who you have not seen live yet and then you do, and not from VIP but deep in GA with all of their fans - you are experiencing a new “first” and what I have learned after 50 music festivals is that chasing “Firsts” is a high that becomes your new addiction.

If all you do is go to the same sets over and over and over, reaching over 30 to 50 times seeing them, then you will eventually learn years later that you are an idiot and have thrown away years of discovery and expanding your brain power, irrespective, if you have no interest in becoming an electronic dance music producer.  

I’ll never forget the first time I saw Rezz and Subtronics. Two totally outside of the usual EDM festival lineup but I knew they are historic innovators and bass savants; sound design geniuses. I look back on those with real nostalgia now. They were rising stars and it was all still brand new for them also; long before Isabelle’s Cow Palace and Jesse’s Kia Forum concerts.  

If you want to DJ then it means you have to learn to produce. Even if you learn how to use Ableton Live 12.0, you still have to figure out what you want to make and that is not even close an easy decision (if you just run into dubstep for instance like thousands are - you will likely get eaten alive after a short few years and realize as you grew so did your development of your musical journey. Just look at Party Favor and Nitti Gritti, Jauz, Tale of Us, Marshmellow, and even Skrillex - all of them got sick of what they originally had to make.

Take your time and go see EVERYONE. Stop processing everything through group think with your “rave fam” and go see sets alone. You will thank me later.

I always had a desire to learn to produce electronic dance music but I was not sure what I wanted to make because I wanted to make ALL of it like my Top 20 favorite artists (which do rotate and change every year).  

I saw going to raves as going down a rave rabbit hole of an EDM Rave Odyssey of trying to see every artist on the lineup. Meeting the real ones at the festivals as well. The other real music lovers and meeting the biggest fans of the varying artists. I get profound joy out of identifying who they are and meeting them because their aura is a beacon of energy that I cannot even put into words.

It took many years but I can say that I have nearly seen everyone. Yes, there are a few house, dubstep, and hardstyle artists I have not seen but I have them on a list to cross off. Guess what, I know what I want to make now because of it.

2.) Rave Solo, Conquer the fear, Ascend, and You will Aura Farm

A major learning experience that cannot be underestimated is going to at least one major music festival at least once in your life; that festival ideally being Ultra Miami, EDC Las Vegas, or Tomorrowland. If you are ready for it and I know that you are, then after finishing this Top 10 - read the most psychologically comprehensive Blog on what to expect and the rewards that you will earn from going to EDC Las Vegas solo (or even a 2 day festival) - once in your rave odyssey. One of the scariest things that I have ever done.

Do not become dependent on your “rave fam” or romantic partner because things change in life. If you are reading this, then - for you - your love for the music and seeing Live music is unlikely to ever change. However, going years and years to these massive emotional places will weigh on you far beyond what you could ever imagine should you be faced with having to go ALONE. Yes, I found myself in this state of trance and it was so painful for the first several festivals and while rolling alone to. However, in time, I unlocked a deep room in my brain and unlocked the next chapter in my rave career and also my life. This epic rave brand was born out from that experience.

What I can tell you is that you will find yourself at a fork in the road - with one question and one question only:

How much do I love this music?

Do I love it so much that I will go alone to a rave?

No meetups - no tagging along to nurse your ego or insecurities.

Grow up and do the rave alone.

If you are used to being in VIP, then you can expect that to become a distant memory over time.

The rave is in GA, don’t kid yourself.

There are moments where you will feel sad and extremely overwhelmed, irrespective, if you are using party favors. Raving sober or rolling solo are intense experiences all their own.

My advice is this - someday go to an Insomniac Events rave solo. They are the best. Focus on yourself and the music. You will be more present then you’ve ever been at a festival and you will experience a different type of euphoria. People will also be drawn to your energy because you are growing in real time. Embrace a rave on your own at least once. You will thank me later.

3.) Pack Light, Get a locker, and free yourself of crap that you do not need

I absolutely attribute my insane endurance to being obsessed with the music and an insatiable appetite for learning what all these different artists are producing and mixing Live, but that is the adrenaline - what sustains my adrenaline is being nearly weightless with nothing on me.

You do not need to bring so much crap with you to the festival. Save your feet, save your body, save your energy. Pack the essentials and that is it. Make it a goal to shed that backpack.

Get a locker for your merch and everything else that you think you have to have on you at all times. Less crap hanging on you means less on your body for the entire festival season. Raving is an endurance sport.

Drink less sugary alcohol that is terrible for you. Alcohol is a downer not a stimulant no matter how much sugar they add. Did you also know that alcohol causes 6 different types of cancers? Stop drinking booze and you will also have more cash for your artist merch addiction.

Also a note on massive backpacks that take up the room of a 2nd person…please stop. You gotta slim that all down and you’ll have way more energy and the added perk of not looking ridiculous.

These huge backpacks are truly unfair for shorter people in GA. Take the stupid thing off and put it between your legs so the girl behind you isn’t getting hit in the face with it.  

The locker is your friend. Split one.

4.) It is “ok” to get lost in your thoughts at the rave

Listen to your heart and that little voice. It is ok to think about your life at the rave and even make decisions (tentative decisions or ideas to write down on your phone for later). This is normal and so don't give yourself a hard time if you find yourself trying to solve a problem in your life during the 2nd half of a super intense set. Your instincts and mind are often very sharp because the adrenaline is pumping. Your Spirit is alive and free.

Go on a side quest and say goodbye to your rave fam for an hour and experience the festival on your own. This is a reference to the importance of number 2 above.

5.)  Sit down at any time. Do not feel weird about it

If you are tired, feeling overstimulated, or your feet hurt, then sit down right where you are. One of the most important things to learn as a raver is when to sit down and rest.

6.) Navigating through Music Festivals Efficiently and in Peace

Study how traffic flows in massive festival crowds. Learn how to move through it and say “Excuse Me”, frequently. It is easier to get where you want in GA by moving sideways into the crowd with your shoulders parallel to the people in front of you. You will slide effortlessly as you are working with the natural rows instead of perpendicular and against them. This will take some getting used to because you're used to walking one foot in front of the other.  You have to walk down around the outside edge of the crowd and then in. You will also save so much energy by doing it this way.

7.) The 5 Festival Essentials

These are truly the 5 essentials of raving at music festivals: A fan, your top 3 favorite Ravers Naturals aromatherapy inhalers (because you need 3 for the three different scenarios), gum, gifts (see number 10 below), and lip balm. Additional mentions, read our extensive Festival Essentials Blog which goes into every single detail that you could ever imagine. I invested a lot of time in writing it and I guarantee that there are 2 things in the Blog that you will incorporate into your raving endurance strategy.

Again, pack light and utilize a locker so you can shed weight for your body and feet. Over the next 2 years you will hydration packs get smaller and people learning that carrying around so much crap is ridiculous.

8.) On the Topic of Water

How you manage your water weight is another topic. Water is obscenely heavy.  I realized after a few years that it made more sense to super hydrate myself before the 9pm sets and then monitor my water intake and needs for the rest of the night. Consider packing water for 2 sets and save your feet. How many sets are you seeing in a row at that same stage? Stay light on your feet and plan to refill on your way to a different stage.  

9.) Spread PLUR: Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect

One of the most magical lessons I've soaked up after so many raves is the unbreakable spirit of PLUR: Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect! This isn't just a catchy acronym—it's the vibrant ethos that turns a massive festival into a welcoming family reunion under the neon lights and wubz. Born from the underground rave scenes of the '90s in the U.S., PLUR is all about creating a judgment-free zone where everyone can vibe freely, support one another, and spread positivity like confetti at midnight. The ravers traveling around the world are helping to educate other people around the world as EDM festivals are taking over the world.

At its core, Peace means ditching drama and embracing chill vibes—think resolving bumping into someone on the dance floor with a smile instead of attitude. Love is that warm, fuzzy feeling of genuine connections, like hyping up a stranger's epic outfit or sharing a glow stick to light up their night. Unity brings us together as one massive tribe, dancing shoulder-to-shoulder regardless of backgrounds, while Respect ensures we honor personal space, consent, and the environment (hello, picking up after yourself to keep the grounds pristine or for that matter yourself off the ground. This is where many add Responsibility at the end of PLUR).

But PLUR isn't just words—it's action-packed energy or even better stated: EUPHORIA. The builds and drops with your favorite artist(s), friends, and NEW FRIENDS is what it is all about. Hence, why spreading PLUR becomes an addiction all unto itself.

Ravers express it in the most heartwarming ways, like offering water to a fellow dancer who's been going hard, forming spontaneous jumping group hugs during an insane drop, or even helping someone who is overheating in the crowd with a friendly fan.

And oh, the iconic Kandi bracelet exchanges? That's PLUR in its purest, sparkly form! Picture this: You spot someone with a bracelet that screams "good vibes," so you approach with a big grin and initiate the sacred handshake ritual—using your two fingers for the peace sign, to making heart hands, interlocking fingers, and the bracelet exchange as it is easy because your holding hands in that upright facing position.

As you swap your handmade Kandi (those colorful beaded masterpieces often spelling out fun messages like "Ten Outta Ten" or "Headbangerz"), you're literally sharing a piece of your positive energy. I've traded Kandi from Beyond Wonderland NOS megastructure insanity to the rail at EDC Las Vegas’ Kinetic Field and the intergalactic energy of Dreamstate Southern California with the trance rave family - all with total strangers, and boom—instant bonds that have lasted for years beyond the festival gates! It's a beautiful reminder that small acts of kindness amplify the joy for everyone. Not all festivals are equal so that is what sets Insomniac Events festivals apart. You can complain all you want about Insomniac but go to dozens of other music festivals in the U.S. and the World like I have and then get back to me.

Incorporating PLUR into your festival life? Start simple: Smile more, share compliments freely or fan someone. My personal go to is once I get my spot minutes before the set - i ask everyone around me if they would like some gum. It changes the entire energy around you - letting everyone know that I am cool and ready to rave with them. This does not happen every time but about every 24 sets or so; that entire circle around are the coolest group of people and you make friends and go completely ham with each other. The last time this happened to me was at Martin Garrix set at EDC Las Vegas 2025 at the front of Kinetic Field. It was pure euphoria. I could get emotional with those flashbacks.

After all these Insomniac adventures, I've learned that PLUR isn't just for the rave—it's a life hack for spreading light wherever you go. Thank you Pasquale Rotella for being the Willy Wonka of the best raves on Earth.

10.) PLUR Kandi bracelets and Rave Trinket Gifts

Come with Kandi or gifts to exchange with your fellow ravers. Spread PLURR and say hi to your neighbor. I personally like to offer gum to everyone around me before the set starts. It is a great way to break the ice and say “hi” to your neighbors. This is who you’ll be raving with for the set so make friends! Amazon has endless amazing ideas for these gifts. Lately, I love giving out my favorite fidget spinner gizmo. I will say that they are reserved for legends that I keep an eye out for.

Bonus

Please Ssupport small business rave brands. They are not in it for the money I assure you. This is about as niche of a consumer products that it gets. So support them and don't use mass brands. Support entrepreneurs because someday you may have your own startup. Remember, the quality and experience is superior to mass brands and people reselling stuff from China.

If you got this far, use RAVER at checkout for a discount. Breathe the Rainbow…and spread PLUR because you are clearly one of the cool ones.

Everything shared here is solely based on my experiences and my opinions.

Let the Music Guide you my friends,

See you at Tomorrowland Belgium 2026 !