[grvdrm]

So fun. Long-time fan of electronic music and am heading to my first DJ-centered concerts this year.

I think that scene is overrun with influencer types and various types of recreational substance use. Maybe I'm wrong.

Bookmarking for background while I do other things!

[bitwize]

The scene has always been overrun with recreational substance use, dawg. Partake or not as suits your vibe and life goals, but get ready for it to be a prominent thing among others.

"Influencer types" are new; social media has been corrosive even to this scene as well. A number of clubs in the UK and elsewhere are implementing no-phones policies as a result, so you can dodge some of it by picking venues.

[grvdrm]

Fair points all around. I am now flashing back to jam/funk shows that occurred in smoke clouds.

[barbs]

Not sure what part of the world you're from but I'm sure you can find some decent authentic gigs around where people aren't doing it for the likes and follows :)

Honestly, going to a rave with a dancefloor and cool people is kind of lifechanging. It's kind of the environment that a lot of (most?) dance music is made for. Have a great time!

[grvdrm]

NYC (area). So - fortunately, plenty of folks come through here!

[datsci_est_2015]

Varies heavily by venue and subgenre. All of the shows that I can remember offhand I saw absolutely minimal phones / videos / picture taking. It was usually me (briefly) because I love going back through a decade plus of videos and reminiscing, usually 1-3 per show depending on how important the show was to me.

There’s a sampling bias that occurs if you rely on social media to inform you how rampant “influencing” is - of course shows with more influencers will be the ones that show up in your feed, because they’re the ones with the influencers!

[grvdrm]

Totally fair. Hard to decipher from social media - I stand corrected and I’ll go anyways!