The Ultimate Guide to Hosting Your Own Mini-Rave
From the experiences of a Modern Hippie
When we think of the most legendary parties in history, we think of music festivals like Woodstock 1969, Thailand’s Full Moon Party, and Burning Man. These iconic events unite thousands of people for a few days of beautiful electronic music, wicked dance moves, and novel experiences. They allow people to break away from their daily routines, escaping the world into an alternate reality where they can experiment with being an entirely different version of themselves.
Rave culture began in the 1980s with the popularization of electronic techno music in Europe and House music in America, slowly gripping the rest of the world to embrace electronic music as a popular way to get people’s bodies moving and grooving. South Africa has many electronic and art festivals too, with Origin and AfrikaBurn being my favourites.
This article, however, will not cover the history of festivals but rather provide a playbook of how to affordably host your own mini-rave, house party style. There is nothing more fulfilling for me than connecting a bunch of like-minded people together in a curated space for ideas to spark and for social barriers to be broken down.
We will go over the elements of what makes a rave party successful, letting you in on the secrets and pitfalls one might encounter. This will help you host your own party soon and overcome your phobia of hosting.
THE ELEMENTS OF A GOOD RAVE
1. Location
The first rule of hosting a delicious rave begins with finding a suitable space. This could be as small as a student house living room or the garden of a mansion on the hills. Public locations also work if you can sneak around the law, which can make the event feel more taboo. I am not recommending breaking the law in any way, but making your rave taboo or different in some way will allow ravers to experience a thrill, enhancing their experience.
2. Music
The number one most overlooked step to hosting a successful rave is the music. In my opinion, GOOD MUSIC = GREAT RAVE. You either need to make friends who DJ or learn to DJ yourself to get this step right.
Equipment is getting cheaper these days, and investing in a good setup or a friend who has the right setup is essential to your rave’s success. Good speakers make a huge difference in the quality of the experience, and no one wants to get deafened by bad speakers or small speakers that won't get the energy of the rave pumping.
Even if you do not have any friends who DJ and still want to attempt hosting a successful rave, try using SoundCloud to research pre-recorded sets or music streaming apps to make a great playlist as an alternative.
There is nothing worse than going to a party when the music has not been carefully planned. It is the secret ingredient that takes hold of your guests' subconscious minds to get their energy levels up, moving their bodies, and opening up the floor for new relationships and connections to be formed.
What works for me is pre-organizing set-list times, where I organize my DJ friends to play specific genres that I want to be played (see the poster below I made for a rave the other day). I try and incorporate niche genres too, aiming to open some of my friends' minds to enjoy the experience of listening to a genre they have a preconceived idea against or have not ever listened to.
3. People
The most important ingredient to your rave will be the people you invite. If you invite bad people, they will disrespect the venue and make your experience terrible. That’s why you have to make it a priority to invite people who you think have good values. If you think you have to invite people because you are afraid no one will show, you are already on your way to hosting a terrible rave.
Here are my steps for inviting people to a rave of 50:
Come up with a list of all your closest 20 friends and acquaintances you have met that you think might enjoy it 2-4 weeks in advance.
Invite them all on a WhatsApp group or whatever social media everyone uses at a minimum of two weeks in advance, and ask them to bring one or two plus-ones with them. This way, you are banking on your friends to bring other like-minded people.
Make sure the ratio of girls to boys is 50/50 - no one wants a sausage fest.
A strategy I used for one of the soiree raves I hosted in the past was to ask my mates to invite any girls they knew who might enjoy the experience. It would be even better to ask your girl mates too, and ask them to bring one of their friends - it also enables the girls to arrive feeling less anxious because they have a backup.
It is important to remind yourself to act nonchalant about this whole process and not seem too needy about wanting people there. If you act like your rave is going to be the place to be, it will be the place to be.
THE ADMIN (SKIP IF BORING)
The Setup
Getting a catchy description that includes the Date, Time, and Location is essential to your rave’s success. Below is an example of a WhatsApp group description that is easy to centralise all the information for a pending rave.
Timing
As the most successful businesses created relied on timing, so does your rave. The only instance when you should not let clearly spread the news of the date and time of your rave is when you are going for a more exclusive rave, as the hype is created more by the exclusivity than anything else. Leave these strategies to the professionals.
For peasants like us, we need to be clear about the date, the beginning, and the end time. Do not make your ravers have to guess when the party will shut down, as people will then often leave earlier than you expect them to. Make your vision and intentions clear - minimize the assumptions.
Security
If you are hosting a rave in your own house or any location where you're concerned about property and guests' safety, it's a good idea to have a few trusted friends act as undercover security or to actually hire professional security personnel. This will ensure that everyone will be safe as it’s always better to exercise precaution when hosting larger events.
Clean-Up Plan
A good rave doesn't end when the last guest leaves. Enlist the help of some friends or charge a cleaning service fee everyone pays upon arrival for a cleaning service. A successful rave means leaving the venue the way you found it.
TIPS FOR SUCCESS
When you mix the elements of a good rave into a nice big melting pot, you have laid a great foundation that will set your rave up for success. However, your work is still not done. The following are the tips for success that will help you once you have got the major admin out of the way.
Let's say I am hosting a rave for around 60 people, at a house I share with five other friends. We have a medium-sized garden, and we live in the centre of town. Our neighbours sometimes get on our case when the outside music runs on for too long, and there is not a lot of parking space outside of our home. It seems like it will be a mammoth task to pull this off, but we are about to host the rave of the year.
I have considered the elements that are important for my rave and have got all the admin out the way and now the ball has begun rolling. How do I take this rave to the next level? This is where it is essential to use the secret sauce in our melting pot and to avoid the pitfalls that would make my usually kind neighbour Karen a witch when she hears the loud Drum ‘n Bass coming from our garden.
Secret Sauce
Adding extra sauce will make your rave an unforgettable experience, so I would consider adding a theme or unique element that sets it apart from other parties.
For example, giving guests different colour wristbands or cups depending on their sexual preferences or status could be a good idea that could get people speaking and more comfortable flirting.
Another "secret sauce" element is good lighting and visuals. Providing engaging visual stimuli can really elevate the atmosphere of the rave. While money can sometimes be tight, even creating a fire for everyone to gather around can enhance the atmosphere. On the dance floor, setting up a TV with eye-catching visuals or investing in some basic lighting equipment can help immerse your guests in a flow state when accompanied by music.
Lastly, providing snacks or asking guests to bring some food is a great way to sustain the energy and vibe of the party. The more guests contribute, the more they'll want to see the rave succeed.
Pitfalls
Once you've incorporated the "secret sauce" or the "cherries on top," be sure to avoid the following pitfalls that could contribute to the failure of the party:
Encouraging excessive substance use: Substances should be used to elevate one's current experience, not to be the focus of the experience while at a rave. People who lose control due to excessive drug or alcohol abuse will cause trouble at your rave, which no one wants.
Setting up the dance floor wrong: Ideally, you'll want to create a circular and enclosed dance floor. Many times, people make the dance floor too large, preventing guests from getting intimate with one another and sharing a unified dancing experience.
Placing the dance floor outside in a busy neighbourhood: It's generally best to set up the music indoors, especially if the rave is at night. This will prevent neighbours from complaining and provide a more enclosed space, allowing guests to step outside for a breather when needed. Unless it's a pool party or you have friendly neighbours, it's typically better to place the sound system indoors.
Now that I have considered the secret sauce and relevant traps to avoid, I am ready to embark on hosting my very own rave. I am unsure if I will be a good host or not, but I am sure that it will be an experience I will never forget.
Conclusion
Hosting your own DIY rave can be an incredibly rewarding experience. By carefully considering the location, music, people, and other elements that contribute to a successful event, you can create a memorable night for yourself, your friends and all the new friends you are about to make. Keep in mind that the most important aspect of a rave is the atmosphere and the connections it fosters. So, stay true to your vision and enjoy the journey of creating a unique experience that reflects your style and personality.
By following this guide, You will be contributing to a world it is okay to be our unique weird version of ourselves, where individuality and acceptance thrives. You are well on your way to throwing an unforgettable, house party-style rave that will be one of the stories you and your mates laugh about in the future. So gather the crew, turn up the music, and let the raving begin!
P.S. If you host a rave, you have to invite me ;)
My future raves will thank you sir 🎩
The Modern Hippie coming with information people need. The 10th June awaits...