Rave Fam: What It’s Like to Party With Siblings

Growing up, your siblings were likely your most sadistic tormentors, often leaving you ready to throw down after a heated argument or unfair game of Mario Kart. But now that you’ve all matured a bit, you’re starting to realize maybe they’re not so terrible. And maybe, just maybe, you’ve even graduated to partying with them like you do with non-blood relations.

This year, at Beyond Wonderland SoCal, we found siblings who decided to set aside their childhood squabbles and come together as adults for some family-style raging. We asked them to tell us their favorite parts about partying with the ones who know you best.

These two brothers from Wilmington, CA, told me they go to shows together constantly. They’ve hit at least four or five in the last year alone. Though only 19 and 21, they already have a pretty wise philosophy on the importance of time with family.

“You can have fun by yourself, but those special moments are made even better by having a sibling you know is there watching over you,” said Victor. “It’s an experience that I wish everyone could have at some point. The only downside is, if I do something bad, I know he’s gonna be holding it over me, threatening to tell our parents.”

Still, the whole experience has been a net positive for the boys. “Growing up, we argued a lot and weren’t that close,” adds Jonathan. “Raves and Insomniac have really brought us together in ways I never could’ve imagined. It’s one of the few things we can agree upon.”

Couple Fairooz and Luisa, 25 and 26 respectively, each took their siblings with them to Beyond this year. Fairooz brought her little bro, Nizar, 19, and Luisa came with her sis Libby, who’s 20. While all four had been to a variety of fests over the years, this was the younger siblings’ first Insomniac event and first fest with their older sisters. I asked Fairooz how she felt about this experience compared to prior raves.

“There’s an added layer of just knowing we have each others’ backs,” said Fairooz. “While going to something like this with your buddies is great and all, you can’t beat the tight-knit feeling of doing something with family.”

She went on to tell me that, as older siblings, she and Luisa were really cognizant of making sure the younger ones were having a good time. Fairooz told me that Libby and Nizar—both larger fans of hip-hop than EDM—took a bit of convincing before they agreed to go to Beyond. But “by the end of the night, they were fully converted and had a great time.”

Janelle and Anessa, 19-year-old twins, made their maiden voyage into the EDM scene together at Beyond Wonderland. Both commented on how nice, loving, and genuine everyone there was, especially in contrast to the “real world,” which “is so fucked up.”

“I love spending time with my sister,” said Janelle, “and this has let us bond more than ever. Raving with your sibling: It’s good for the soul.”

Not ones to leave anyone out of the fun, the twins told me they’d also brought their mom, so she could see firsthand what the rave life is like.

Tina and Steven, from El Monte, CA, teamed up to get their brother, Tommy, out to his first rave after going on their own for so many years.

“I wanted to bust his cherry,” said Steven.

“I’m just glad he’s having so much fun,” said Tina.

And how was our rave fledgling Tommy enjoying himself?

“I’m the type of guy where, if I see everyone around me in a good mood, I get happy myself,” he said. “And I’m really just loving seeing these two happy.”