Here’s What 6 Headliners Look Like When They’re Not at Festivals

We all journey down different paths in our daily lives. Some of us are soon-to-be veterinarians; others are social workers, gas utility workers and software engineers, to name a few. When we venture to a festival, however, we remove our costumes and transform into truer versions of ourselves, meeting in a world that allows us to leave all our worries (and boring-ass clothes) behind.

Insomniac celebrates #TransformationTuesday by asking six unique Headliners to discuss their lives in and out of the festival.

Headliner: Emmeline Y.

Age: 25
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Occupation: Veterinary medicine student
How long have you been raving? 1 year, 3 months
How has the culture “transformed” since then, and what is your favorite part?
I started raving when I lost 53 pounds, as a way to boost my confidence and make new friends. My favorite part about the culture is its universal sense of inclusion and appreciation for electronic music. It really brings people together who may otherwise not have met. I’ve noticed it’s become a lot more mainstream, which is not necessarily a bad thing. Now, big corporations like Forever 21 are capitalizing on rave culture, such as our style. It makes it a lot easier for me to put my outfits together without having to special order online. I love it.

Headliner: Scott S.

Age: 23
Hometown: Tacoma, WA
Occupation: Costco major stocker
How long have you been raving? 7 years
How has the culture “transformed” since then, and what is your favorite part?
Raving saved my life. I have made so many friends by going to festivals. It’s not just something I do—it’s who I am. The culture has changed in so many ways; it’s so much bigger than before. Many people misunderstand the culture, which is why I try to spread PLUR wherever I go. The great thing about this culture is that you can be whoever you want to be, whether it’s a glover, a go-go dancer, or a kandi kid like me. When I make kandi, it’s like I’m giving a part of me to someone else. That’s what makes it all worth it: seeing the smiles and the happiness it brings to people. I don’t know where I would be without the culture.

Headliner: Miles S.

Age: 30
Hometown: Rancho Cucamonga, CA
Occupation: Social worker
How long have you been raving? 8 years
How has the culture “transformed” since then, and what is your favorite part?
I began raving at the transition from underground and word-of-mouth, to what we know as raves today. There are definitely a lot of changes—mainly much more commercialism, due to its growing popularity. Whenever I’m at an event, I’m in my own world, only absorbing the good vibes. My favorite part about this culture is the music. Trance changed my life, and Dreamstate is my home.

Headliner: Madison M.

Age: 22
Hometown: Georgetown, CA
Occupation: Gas utility worker
How long have you been raving? 6 years
How has the culture “transformed” since then, and what is your favorite part?
Now that the culture is becoming more mainstream, I’ve noticed people are wearing outfits that are more and more creative each year, which is amazing. I love that our music and culture are being put out into the world. It gives people who didn’t really pay attention before the chance to experience it for themselves.

Headliner: Daniel C.

Age: 34
Hometown: Sydney, Australia
Occupation: Software engineer
How long have you been raving? 17 years
How has the culture “transformed” since then, and what is your favorite part?
Over the years, new genres—including darker, less popular genres—have emerged, due to the sheer popularity of EDM in general. Even though it’s more mainstream now, it’s also more diverse. There is truly something for everybody, and everyone is still welcome!

Headliner: “Fundip”

Age: 25
Hometown: San Francisco, CA
Occupation: Business operations manager at Old Navy
How long have you been raving? 7 years
How has the culture “transformed” since then, and what is your favorite part?
The scene has changed so much over the past seven years, but at the same time, it hasn’t changed at all. Ravers have always loved each other and will always love each other as they do now. When you’re in the crowd and the music fills you until you can’t even feel yourself breathe, and you look to the people next to you and see they’re feeling the same way, it’s an indescribable feeling of love that washes over you. That is when I truly feel alive.

If you would like the chance to celebrate #TransformationTuesday with Insomniac, please email your best transformation photos to [email protected].