Noticing more festivals banning totems in their what not to bring rules. I get how some totems are ridiculously sized and block the view for other people and can even be a hazard. That said, they also have been a solid way of finding your crew. Totems are def easier than trying to pick a specific meeting spot like the sound booth or a sign. But I can't tell you how many times side quests have kept the group apart from trying to meet at a spot at a specific time. Hats off to the groups who all wear the same costume to make their squad easier to spot. What else does your crew do instead of totems?

Weekly kandi thread. Post the singles, cuffs, perlers and trades you made. Unfinished pieces welcome!

Say your crew has one friend who goes too hard every show, and half the group ends up watching them instead of the set. Just saying “know your limit” doesn’t seem to be enough because there’s always that one person that overdoes it and takes away from the experience the rest of the group is having.

I guess some of the better advice I’ve seen is:

1. Have the talk before the show
   
2. Hold people accountable after the show
   
3. Use a buddy system for side quests
   
4. Find medical or sanctuary ahead of time in case anyone needs it
   
5. Take turns being rave moms and dads by checking in with the whole group so nobody is singled out

How does your crew handle it? Has a conversation before/after ever actually changed anything?

For anyone new: kandi are the beaded bracelets ravers make and trade. The real meaning is how they help you remember a person at a specific point in the night. Who gave you your first piece, do you still have it, and what did it mean to you then vs now?

Makes perfect sense why people get annoyed when someone films the whole set with their phone up. That said, seems like someone who just wants one clip of the drop shouldnt get the same scrutiny. I can appreciate people not wanting to be caught on camera in a public place. Can also understand how some people focus too much on their device and it can take away from interacting with each other. Where’s the line for you, and has someone’s phone ever actually ruined a moment for you?

Peace and love are easy at 1am when the drop hits and everyone around you is vibing out. Respect when someone’s shoving to the rail, or unity with the group that’s filming the whole set, is harder. Which one do you find hardest, and when did it get tested?

Have you ever noticed that as long as you go to a rave reasonably self prepared , with a little something to give away, you can often get almost anything you want when PLUR is fully in effect. 

I mean of course there are limits, I’m not one to believe you can totally manifest absolutely anything. But sometimes it feels close.

Like I’ve had it happen where I was thinking I wish I had a whistle… and then someone walks up and is like hey do you want this frog whistle I just printed out?

That is a true story - and on top of it I love frogs! So it wasn’t even just any whistle but a frog whistle.

That was more recently at a hotel party in Massachusetts, they have 2 a year. I’m Still connected with the couple that gave me the whistle too.

It’s almost magical sometimes, the degree to which it happens. Makes you feel like you’re experiencing a world of abundance. 

I know other people have felt this way, ive definitely talked about it with friends before. 

It’ll be cool if anybody wanted to share stories of similar things that have happened to them.

PLUR shows up in a lot more ways than doing raver handshakes. Here's a list of different ways people “do” PLUR at raves and shows.

Peace

• Saying excuse me when moving through the crowd
• Apologizing for accidentally bumping into someone
• Giving people enough room to dance
• Not forcing your way toward the rail
• Letting people out when they’re trying to leave
• Keeping giant accessories out of other people’s faces
• Not stopping in the middle of a busy walkway to have a conversation

Love

• Checking on someone who looks like they’re struggling
• Helping someone who dropped their stuff
• Letting someone know their bag is open
• Giving someone a compliment
• Fanning the people around you
• Refilling water bottles for people
• Staying with a friend who needs a break
• Being a buddy for bathroom side quests
• Sharing gum or another useful rave essentials
• Hyping up somebody absolutely getting after it
• Taking a photo for a group so everyone can be in it

Unity

• Sharing traditions with newer ravers
• Striking up conversations on side quests
• Bringing different friend groups together
• Trading kandi and giving out little trinkets or stickers
• Supporting local DJs, promoters, venues, and artists
• Making intros between local ravers, artists, organizers
• Catching up with rave friends when you see them again
• Learning names you'll forget in 2m until you meet them 10x
• Befriending random people to join your group's activities like photos, games, and after parties (if they pass the vibe check)

Respect

• Support instead of competition
• Education/guidance/inclusion > gatekeeping
• Respecting choices around drinking, substances, and sobriety
• Asking before taking or posting photos or videos of people
• Letting people enjoy the show their own way
• Giving people space when they want space
• Thanking staff, security, and medical crews
• Asking before touching someone
• Taking “no” the first time

Respect (Responsibility Focus)

• Using trash/recycling bins
• Helping someone find their friends
• Having a safe plan for getting home
• Taking ground scores to lost and found
• Making a clear path for emergency teams
• Speaking up about harmful or unsafe behavior
• Getting staff or medical help for someone in need
• Being careful of property, equipment, and decorations
• Knowing your limits and not forcing someone to take care of you
• Watching out for people behind/around you when holding up a totem, fan, phone, etc.

What'd I miss? Add one below.

PLUR stands for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect = four values at the heart of rave culture.

Frankie Bones, his brother Adam X, and Jimmy Crash started the Peace, Love, Unity Movement (PLUM) around 1990. Laura La Gassa helped grow it into PLUR by adding the R for Respect (which she credited Brian Behlendorf with suggesting) and spreading through the early online rave community hyperreal.org, where internet ravers helped popularize PLUR as the four-letter acronym we know today.

Sources: Insomniac, Red Bull Music Academy, Archived account of PLUR’s online development.

A made a meme :)