Ultra Music Festival has arguably become one of the most influential, widely known music festivals in the world. By giving individuals of all backgrounds, ethnicities and lifestyles a chance to come together to share in a collective experience, essentially, to “get loose when the beat drops,” the EDM movement has spread like wildfire and is truly embedded in our millennial culture. It is without a doubt that electronic music is the defining genre of our generation. Along with this reality, we must accept the various stigmas associated and seriously ask ourselves if we agree with the direction the movement is headed. Does EDM create a dangerous environment or a stimulating wonderland without inhibitions?
Via: 303 Magazine
What used to be known as techno has had an identity makeover, with added momentum from visual innovations like projection mapping and state-of-the-art LEDS, and just like Tai in Clueless, it is now acceptable to the mainstream. By breaking out of the underground, the higher the number of people attending these events can only lead to greater proportions of drug use, crime and accident. No longer existing illegally in barns and basements, among other exotic locations, raves have become massive festivals and now take place in stadiums and more specifically, areas like Bayfront Park, capable of holding thousands of people. With so many fest-heads, the odds of avoiding incident aren’t in your favor.
After attending Ultra two years in a row, I felt that last year was too crowded and decided to sit this one out. Instead, I increased my marginal utility by spending some time watching the Ultra live feed in place of studying for Microeconomics. What I saw was standard for modern rave culture; carnivalesque costuming and extravagant outfits with pasties and tutus and fluffies, neon bras, fairy wings and body paint, creepy Vicks soaked Kandi masks, LED gloves, colored contacts, flags representing respective homelands or frats or whatever else, rage bros hunting for rave booty, half-naked rave hoes, rage sticks, rage faces and everyone just harmoniously raging balls. I even saw a raging tube of toothpaste and a raging Jesus, who proudly held up a sign saying “Jesus Loves Ultra.”
Via: blogs.miaminewtimes.com
To be honest, I’m not sure how the very mystical Jesus would feel about what happens at Ultra and festivals like it. Because what is not projected on the live feed is strikingly unpleasant. In the background near the grime soaked Port-O-Potties youths are sweating, slumped over in neon getups, strewn across the curb at risk of overdosing. Seeing this definitely destroys the fantasy.
But how is it fair to generalize an entire festival by the irresponsibility of a few individuals? In part, it is due to the fact that the link between EDM and drugs is so strong that it seems almost necessary to indulge to get the full experience. But the blame for this common misconception falls on whom? Is the truth about the power of the music minimized by repetitive lyrics asserting how hanging with Molly is more fun than spending time with sober Sally? Perhaps the event is just an excuse to justify using drugs for those who will do them regardless.
In rave culture today, promotional strategies are put in place to create the persona of those “big deal” performers, infecting self-proclaimed Kandi kids and PLUR warriors with a serious case of FOMO that causes a frenzy of fucked up priorities. PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, Respect), the idealistic philosophy at the center of the movement, has left the building and been replaced by entitlement and a complete disregard for the inherent worth of another human life. Yes, I’m talking about Erica Mack, the twenty-eight year old female security guard who was trampled by a stampede of soul-less Insomniacs. Suffering severe brain hemorrhaging, a broken leg and seen with blood pouring from her ears, Erica Mack was reportedly forced underneath a chain-link fence when the stampede of people entered into the festival without tickets.
Two years ago, Ultra brought with it the girl who publicly romanced a tree. That was hilarious, and kind of cute. This year, Ultra brought the girl who urinated on the face of an unconscious man (parallel to our own Gainesville Pee-er, what’s with the all the golden showers lately?) and the frantic, mob-like behavior that left an innocent woman in critical condition. Fortunately, from the aggressive crowd, twenty-two people were arrested for the attack, according to the Miami Herald.
Because of this and incidents like it, Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado is attempting to deny a permit for next years festival. Despite the intensive security, entry searches and implemented safety measures, injuries and fatalities are still occurring. But what is it all for?
Risk is not the only issue that has developed due to the growth of EDM’s popularity. Profit margins, ghost-producers, pre-recorded sets and other changes have commercialized EDM and taken it in a different direction. No longer do we see an artist spinning vinyl records on a turntable with a crossfader, the crowd isn’t as concerned with getting lost in the music and absorbing good energies, but instead clawing their way to front to get a Snapchat of a famous headliner. If a person is willing to spend hundreds of dollars to see artists simply because their value is assumed based on the high price, they are losing sight of the purpose of the movement: harnessing a true connection with the music.
Via: tumbler.com
Mayor Regalado also needs to consider that it wasn’t festival ticket holders who assaulted Erica Mack, but citizens of Miami. When it comes to attending festivals as big as Ultra, be smart when making decisions and look out for yourself as you would in your daily life. Remember that just because you’re in a fenced off fantasyland, you still only have one life. Have a plan; avoid less crowded stages and aggressive faces. And don’t ever be that guy, you know, the one that everyone is trying to steer clear of because he looks like he can chew through metal. In truth, EDM needs to rediscover the meaningful message behind the music and the culture, instead of getting as fucked up as possible and doing it just to be able to say you did. Amongst all the negatives and positives, we will forever drop the funky beat.
Featured photo courtesy of: UltraMusicFest
