*ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL!*

On the grind,

So over this past weekend in Miami, FL, took place the most epic two day rave ever that is considered the modern day mecca of electronic music. Tiesto, The Crystal Method, Deadmau5, Carl Cox, Rusko, Groover Armada, Disco Bicuits, Caspa, Diplo, Armin Van Buren, Bassnectar, Glitch Mob, Steve Aoki, The Bloody Beetroots, Crookers, Infected Mushroom, Dirty South, etc, etc, etc. The list is endless and that is the most stacked line up of the most prestigious DJs out right now. Pretty much every major electronic artist out right now minus Justice and Jack Beats.

Not only that this was the first year in Ultra Music Festival's history that the event was sold out. That is just one testament to the recent growing popularity of electronic music. Not only that, it had already been announced that next year it's going to be three day festival. I don't know about y'all, but I was already super bummed that I missed out and I have already have Ultra in my calendar for next May. This event is the equivalent to Woodstock for psychedelic rock-n-roll, Ultra is literally the mecca of electronic music. No other music festival that takes place in America is exclusively electronic and for Ultra to sell out the event is hard evidence to prove that the electronic music genre is getting more noticed.

While thinking about Ultra, festivals, raves, etc. I pondered what exactly makes them so successful? And after thinking about it for a little bit I realized just how smart concert promoters for raves are. The cost to put on these large scale events are little to nothing, the area must be booked and the stages and speakers set up, but the stage performances and lights are completely left up to artists to handle. Not too mention, electronic artists and DJs earn a lot less money than typical artists because they only play 1-2 hour DJ sets.

But besides being just economically favorable, these events and the popular attendance of these events have made me look to societal reasons as to why these festivals are becoming seemingly more popular and made to be bigger and bigger every year. I think it's our generations attitudes and beliefs that are really the driving factors as to why we attend these festivals, raves, etc. Music festivals in themselves represent several ideals in my opinion; peace, community, and overall enjoying oneself amongst others having a good time as well. Maybe festivals are meant for hippies but I truly believe that our generation continues to go these events in full force and even increased participation because we believe in the fact of the pursuit of happiness and overall peace that should be enforced by all of us as members of our society.

Let's be honest, few people would turn down the chance to go and rage for three days in an outdoor area with some of the best musicians assembled to entertain you. It really boils down to people just wanting to release from the everyday pressures and struggles and escape for a few days to a place where only music, love and peace seem important--and that's exactly what the attraction is of these festivals and events.

Peace,
20thetruth