How to Make Friends at EDC

Headliners, EDC is finally here. The big one. The Motherland of electronic music. The rave prom.

While you’re getting ready, take a moment to hug your friends and family. Sure, all your favorite DJs will be at EDC, but your best memories will be the moments you share with your friends.

We also want you to make new friends and extend your rave family. There’s nothing quite like making awesome friends and adopting them as your festie bestie.

Here are some easy tips on how to make friends at EDC and create lasting memories together Under the Electric Sky.

Share, Share, Share!

A quick and surefire way to make friends is by sharing your goodies (and no, we don’t mean it in that way).

See a thirsty raver? Share your water. We have free water refill stations anyway, so it doesn’t cost you a dime. Stay hydrated, y’all, especially in this Florida heat.

Contribute your phone charger and share the juice with your festival homies, so they can send that last-minute meet-up text or fly a late-night booty call.

While we don’t condone smoking, all you smokers out there: Help out your fellow freeloader when they’re bumming a cig. For you non-smokers, carry a lighter and “spark up” a conversation when you’re lighting up your new friends.

Share your stuff and spread the love; it’s the most PLUR thing you can do and the easiest way to make friends.

Be Conscious of Those Around You

We’re all in this together. While you’re rocking out front row at kineticFIELD, make sure you take a look around you. Everyone should be dancing, but some folks might be in a bad mood for reasons unknown.

If you see anyone with their arms crossed instead of fist pumping, go give them a hug and make them smile. If you see someone crying, try to make them laugh. And if you see someone in need of medical help, don’t panic. Find a nearby security guard or medic; they’ll know what to do.

Focus on the people who aren’t having a good time, and make an effort to brighten their night.

Compliments

Abraham Lincoln said, “Everybody likes a compliment,” and we think he was onto something. If you see someone with a badass costume, sick fluffies or an outstanding totem, shoot them a compliment. Headliners spend tons of time putting their outfits together, so take a few seconds to share a kind word. It’s the best icebreaker when approaching strangers.

High Five

“There’s no easier way to transfer positive energy than with a high five!” says Insomniac CEO and Founder Pasquale Rotella. Easy enough, but very true. Pass by a stranger, put your hand up in the air, and watch as the amount of shared high fives skyrockets. If they smile back at you and return the high five, you have yourself a new friend.

Protip #1: When executing your high five, clasp onto the other person’s hand ever so gently (try to lock fingers if possible) and make eye contact. It sounds a bit intimate, but these precious extra seconds will open up an opportunity for a proper introduction and allow time to really get to know one another.

Protip #2: Bring a small, portable pack of disposable hand wipes. Trust us: After touching all those hands, you’re gonna want a proper cleansing.

Free Hugs

You’ve seen that guy at every festival rocking the custom-made poster or T-shirt offering “Free Hugs.” You might think it’s a desperate call for attention, but that guy is a social genius. Ask him how many new friends he made by the end of the night, and you’ll be shocked. Before you head to EDC, grab a marker and make a quick sign offering “Free Hugs,” or make a shirt if you have enough time. If you’re daring enough, offer “Free Kisses.” (We’re betting the ladies will have more luck with the latter.)

Be a Taxi

There’s no bigger buzzkill than being stranded in the parking lot with no ride home. When you’re looking for your car in the parking lot, keep an eye out for deserted ravers and offer them a ride back home. When they try to give you money in exchange for the ride, turn it down and instead ask them for their friendship. For those not driving, share a cab with a stranger. It’ll be cheaper, and you’ll get to bond on the ride home.

Wear Something Noticeable

How to Make Friends at EDC
One guaranteed way to stand out in the crowd is through your outfits and costumes. Wear something bright, loud and unique, and watch as people approach you to offer their compliments (see above) and to trade kandi. By the end of the night, you’ll see your friend Rolodex burst out of control.

Start a Conga Line

We’ve mentioned this before, but it really works. Grab a friend or a stranger by the hips and tell them your conga line master plan. You’d be amazed by how many people jump in line behind you with no questions asked. Go ahead and claim it’s the EDC Conga Line to make it sound more official. Every new conga dancer is a potential new friend.

Technology is Your Friend

Follow the official Insomniac and EDC hashtags for a goldmine of new friends. Find meet-ups happening at the festival, and crash the party. Use official Facebook groups to find and leave messages with all your potential new friends, and tweet to your rave homies where you’ll be.