Into Ravedom

I’ve been noodling on and tweaking this Whimsie since May, waiting for the right time to hit ‘publish’. Given the subject matter and being fresh off my first rave since May, now feels like the perfect time to share the story of my journey into ravedom.

~~~

One day way back in 2009 or so, I stumbled upon a video from Tomorrowland—one of the OG electronic music festivals. I was immediately hooked, fascinated, enthralled.

The music was infectious, the kaleidoscopic lights and lasers captivating, and the energy unlike anything I’d felt before, even through a screen… A sea of people dancing freely under open skies, not a care for anything, save the moment at hand.

My young mind was blown. Growing up on a remote island with a local population of 1000 and coming of age in a small town where the biggest event was the Canada Day parade, discovering Tomorrowland was like discovering another dimension.

I began dreaming of feeling the bass in my chest, of being warmed by the bursts of flame, of being in the middle of the beautiful chaos, surrounded by lovely people.

But Belgium—where Tomorrowland lives—was so very far away; an impossibility.

As time passed, amidst life’s twists, I unwittingly set my interest aside, unexplored.

Yet life has a curious way of circling back to the dreams you think you’ve set aside.

In 2023 my raving dream resurfaced, courtesy of an unexpected invitation to Electric Love in Austria. This time, attending wasn’t out of the question—but I did harbour a few flickers of hesitation… Did I still want to see what raving was all about? Would I enjoy myself? Could I handle the chaos I once craved? Was I too old to feel at home in such large, wild, and energetic crowds?

After some thought, I couldn’t say no. 

I’d been waiting much of my life for such an experience.

Besides, the music soon blasted those doubts away. 

(A little chemical encouragement didn’t hurt either.)

Electric Love unfolded into a life-changing event, where entirely by accident, I discovered a love for drum’n’bass music—and felt how much fun these parties are.

If you’re unfamiliar: Drum’n’bass (often abbreviated as DnB or D&B) is a fast-paced, electronic music genre characterized by rapid breakbeats (typically between 160–180 beats per minute), heavy basslines, and a high-energy, rhythmic intensity.

DnB originated in the UK in the early 1990s, evolving from jungle music—which draws influence from reggae, dub, hip-hop, techno, and Jamaican sound system culture. The result of this colourful evolution has been a proper bevy of subgenres:

There’s deep, dark, and broody Neurofunk, tickling your brain in curious ways… 

Poppy, vibrant, and flowing Dancefloor that one can’t help but move to…

Bouncy, bass-heavy, and energizing Jump-up, bringing life to the party… 

Melodic, soothing, and soulful Liquid, the genre’s romantic…

And Jungle of course, the roots and elder of drum’n’bass.

(There’s more subgenres, but these are the main ones that come to mind.)

If you’re curious, you’re welcome to enjoy my DnB playlists on Spotify:

→ DnDarkies (Neurofunk)

→ Liquid Love (Liquid)

→ Jungle Juice (Jungle)

→ Shut Up & Vibe (Dancefloor)

→ Gremlin Energy (Jump-up)

(There’s some crossover amongst those playlists, loosely sorted by genre and vibe.)

Discovering DnB at Electric Love triggered a personal musical renaissance which has since taken me from Vancouver, Canada to Los Angeles, ‘Murica to Portimão, Portugal to Brighton, England… From gritty basements and Hell’s Angel hangouts-turned-clubs to posh concert halls, beachside stages, and sprawling festival grounds laid overtop of race tracks—all for the vibes, drops, and good times.

(Standout performances from this musical binge include Luude, Calyx, Kleu, 1991, Culture Shock, Wilkinson, Kanine, and Andy C.)

Now 15 years on from discovering the raving dimension, with the benefit of first-hand experience, I’ve come to understand what drew me to that Tomorrowland video: 

A sense of belonging, freedom, and pure, unfiltered joy. 

At Electric Love, and every rave I’ve attended since, I’ve found that energy—not through a screen, but pulsing in real time, deep in my chest.

Drum’n’bass in particular has become more than just a genre for me: A doorway to connection, a soundtrack for self-expression, and a reminder that sometimes, the dreams we think we’ve shelved are simply waiting for the right moment to resurface.

With love from the forest,

~ Alexander

(AKA: Wiz, WOW, and The Wizard of Wordcraft)