Has rave culture become elitist?

It’s increasingly commonplace. DJ booths are full of the “cool kids”, or clubs and festivals are overrun with posers and people there to be seen.

A degree of elitism has always been present in club culture since it became commercial, but is it becoming the norm? Has looking the part become more important than being there to enjoy the music?

Has rave culture become elitist?

DO WE EVEN NEED VIP AREAS?
Sure, DJs and staff need their own private areas, but special sections just for those with more money? Some events are overly bougie. The raw, communal spirit is getting harder to find.

BRANDING DOMINATES
Many promoters put more effort into slick visuals than into the actual music experience. Perfect, high-definition Instagram grids supersede sweaty, chaotic joy. The thing is, the best nights really don’t look "marketable" at all.

PRESSURE ON RAVERS TO LOOK THE PART
Publicity shots and aftermovies show crowds looking like they’ve stepped off a catwalk. Raving is about losing yourself, not meticulously curating your look. The obsession with "aesthetic" risks making people self-conscious on the dance floor.

ECONOMIC DISPARITY PREVAILS
Ticket prices, travel, VIP access and "destination festivals" mean raving is becoming more and more of a luxury - accessible to a select tier. When access is dictated by income, it’s no longer a culture for everyone.

LESS CHARACTERS
Raves were once a sanctuary for an assortment of different "characters". People who felt they didn’t fit in elsewhere were at home on the dance floor. As clubs and festivals have become more homogenised, these types of people have felt less welcome.