Plur Rave Culture
PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity and Respect) was an integral element of rave culture that promoted safety. It served as the guideline for behavior such as not giving drugs to those who did not desire them and treating others with respect.
The PLUR Mantra
The PLUR Mantra has been the cornerstone of rave culture from its inception. It serves as a motivating principle that helps people form connections with fellow ravers and fosters an inclusive community. Not only does it celebrate music, art and self-expression but it also imparts values such as respect and integrity.
At first, ravers are often wide-eyed and eager to experience everything new. They attend every show, don their brightest colors, and dance all night long. But as their tastes evolve and they begin to appreciate the subtleties of music, they become increasingly selective and take safety more seriously.
They learn how to responsibly use drugs and are always on the lookout for ways to minimize their exposure to substances. Furthermore, they pay close attention to their environment, knowing where they can get help if needed.
Ravers are recognized as PLUR pups because they embrace this mantra and strive to live it out in their daily lives. These individuals live with an overwhelming sense of gratitude and affection.
For instance, when people notice someone with short legs or who struggles to stand in front of a crowd, they make sure that they are given space and made to feel welcome. Such small gestures go a long way toward helping people feel included and respected.
At raves, people can form lasting friendships and carry that spirit of inclusivity forward into their everyday lives. They’re willing to lend a helping hand, listen attentively to others’ stories, and provide assistance whenever it is needed.
Ravers often express their commitment to the PLUR mantra by wearing kandi bracelets adorned with words such as “Peace,” “Love,” “Unity” and “Respect.” These bracelets serve to symbolize these beliefs and serve as a way for them to be communicated to others.
For decades, the PLUR mantra was popularized by Frankie Bones at a warehouse rave. At that event, Bones stopped playing music to preach this message and eventually convinced his audience to adopt it as their own, leading to its adoption by raver communities around the world.
The Ideology of Rave
Rave culture is an underground subculture that encompasses various tools, music, rituals, drugs, fashion and jargon. This subculture has existed for years and continues to thrive today.
Rave culture fosters a community of people who come together for fun. This inclusive atmosphere welcomes individuals from all backgrounds, with no requirement to dress a certain way or follow strict regulations; their participation in events defining who they are as part of this collective.
This community is founded upon a concept called “PLUR”, which stands for Peace, Love, Unity and Respect. This philosophy must be adhered to in order for ravers to have a safe environment during their events. This includes being kind towards each other, not fighting, and generally making sure people feel secure.
One major influencer of rave culture is its youth subculture status. As such, it continues to gain in popularity among young people.
DJs and their promoters have also made a fortune from this lucrative business, as companies pay them to play music for rave attendees. This has propelled EDM (Electronic Dance Music) into an multi-million dollar industry.
Raves have become one of the world’s most beloved events, with more and more cities taking steps to regulate them and keep them away from their communities.
Some cities have had to implement juvenile curfews, fire codes, health and safety ordinances, liquor laws and licensing requirements for large public gatherings in an effort to reduce raves as a source of illegal drug use and an unwelcoming culture among youth.
The Music
Music plays an integral role in rave culture, helping people to connect with their environment and create a positive vibe. It can also heighten feelings of euphoria and enhance the performance aspect of a rave.
Rave music is typically described as having an upbeat, non-lyrical nature and high energy level. This type of music has often been labeled as “PLUR friendly.”
PLUR (pronounced PLAE-ruh) stands for peace, love, unity and respect – values which many in the rave community hold dear and strive to uphold. While finding a rave environment that adheres to these standards can be challenging, establishing a safe space where all who attend a rave can take place is an important first step towards creating such an atmosphere.
DJ Frankie Bones was one of the earliest adopters of PLUR, coining it in 1990. He was inspired by London’s vibrant warehouse rave scene and used this concept to introduce New York City to this vibrant community.
At first, PLUR was just a simple slogan; but over time it evolved into something far deeper. Its values embodied those of ravers who wanted to spread their good vibes with everyone.
Additionally, it promoted a sense of brotherhood within the community. Here, everyone felt welcome regardless of age or appearance.
Over the years, PLUR has undergone many transformations but remains an integral part of rave culture today. Older ravers often add an additional “R” to PLUR for Respect.
This addition of R stands for responsibility, signifying that ravers are not only focused on themselves but also taking an active role in shaping their environment. Ravers tend to be highly social individuals and desire to make a positive impact in any way they can.
The Drugs
At rave events, many drugs are popularly used. Ecstasy, an amphetamine, is one of them and known for its euphoric effects and capacity to induce intense pleasure and excitement. Ecstasy has often been referred to as club drugs due to its frequent usage at dance clubs and raves.
Ecstasy is the most commonly consumed drug at a rave, though other hallucinogens such as LSD, PCP (phencyclidine), psilocybin and peyote may also be present. These substances have various physical and psychological effects like dehydration, hyperthermia and hallucinations can also occur.
The growth of the rave scene as a cultural phenomenon has seen an accompanying spike in drug use at events. While MDMA remains the most commonly consumed substance at raves, other substances are becoming more widely utilized by attendees; these include Asian methamphetamine tablets, heroin, and various combination pills.
Research on club drug use among teenagers indicates an alarming rise in youth substance abuse and addiction at rave events. This trend has resulted in numerous issues, such as psychotic disorders and even suicide attempts.
In addition to the drugs themselves, raves also feature certain rituals. These traditions help enhance the experience of drug use and foster a sense of unity among attendees.
One such ritual is called PLUR. This involves trading of rave bracelets that feature words written on them with letter beads. These bracelets must be worn throughout the duration of the entire rave.
My research revealed that PLUR has been around for some time. Originally used as a slogan within the scene, it eventually became something all ravers should adhere to.
The PLUR mantra is not only an expression of solidarity with other members of the community, but it also encourages individuals to reach their highest potentials. It can provide strength to those who feel like outcasts or lack belonging in society.
Comments