VARAVASA
With almost every major music festival canceled or rescheduled in 2020, the coronavirus has driven the festival season to a halt. Festival goers around the world have had to change their plans and adjust to the new norm of raving from home.
Fortunately for us, the EDM community and some of the world's biggest DJs have come together to host virtual live streams providing us with the sets we have longed for, except now from the comfort of our homes.
We had the opportunity to catch up with Carissa AKA the “Stream Queen” who is an avid festival goer and completely fell in love with raving 6 years ago when she attended Das Energi Festival in Salt Lake City. We asked her several questions about what her experience has been like transitioning from in-person raves to live streams and she was kind enough to share several helpful tips on how to maximize the experience!
What would you say has been the top virtual experience so far?
“Tomorrowland’s Around the World Virtual Festival blew everything out of the water. It was the only live stream so far where they actually charged money and that got you access to their online platform and interactive world. They had 8 different stages on an island and you would have to click each stage to see the artists playing. Having gone to Tomorrowland twice in person, I can say that it actually felt like you were there. They even had set time conflicts that gave you that real festival feel. They created a crowd and added in sound effects which I thought I wouldn’t like initially but it added to the experience. Overall, it just felt real and all the DJs took it seriously playing full-on festival sets and dropping new unreleased songs.”
What Have DJs done that have stood out?
“The one that comes to mind is David Guetta and the set he played at Tomorrowland’s virtual event because he showed a completely different side to his music. I think when DJs step out of their comfort zone and don’t just play their normal type of set it really helps them stand out. This is a perfect environment to do that.”
What are some tips on how to make the most out of a Virtual Event?
- “Bring the Magic to you! Decorate your house to make it feel like you are there. Little things that you can get from amazon like adding flowers, flags, and bubbles can go a long way.
- Putting LED string lights around the house to give you that Festival feel.
- If you have speakers, hook them up to the TV! Sound quality can definitely improve the experience.
- Dress up like you are going to the festival to get the full rave experience!
- Last but not least, having a small group of your friends over to enjoy the experience together."
Even though we are all missing the in-person experience a festival would give us, we can still do our best to have fun and bring the same type of energy a rave would give us to our home. We wanted to give a special thanks to Carissa to help us do just that by sharing her advice and tips to make the most of our situation. You can find Carissa on IG @streamqueen_xo or check out the events she is promoting as a brand manager with @pollen.
Sending you all good vibes and great health. #livevaravasa
This blog was written and sponsored by VARAVASA.
Up Next
Types of Music Festival Dancers
Written by: VARAVASA
Dance is one of the most natural forms of self-expression and while we know no two people’s moves are the same we built this list of some of our favorite types of festival dancers. Hope you enjoy it!
- Shufflers - To those of you born in the ’90s and beyond, this dance has been around longer than you’ve been alive. Originally the Melbourne Shuffle in the ’80s, it is now more popularly referred to as “cutting shapes,” and is one of the most recognizable EDM dances out there. Shufflers will show you fast heel-toe footwork, with occasional spins, meshed into the heart-pounding tones and bass we all love. This dance emphasizes the individual’s ability to freestyle. We absolutely recommend you check out some of our favorite shufflers in the game… these are the types of dancers that draw crowds for their skilled showmanship. Shout out: @jolieanastasia @savnhale @cici @vansecco @holyshapes @kathryeaddy @marygrace___ @laurencorazza @ciaraloves.u @samantha_dahn @gabbyjdavid @ecruz_n & many more!
- Headbangers - Where my bass heads at?!? No festival is complete without bumping into these hype men. Their neglect for CTE, desire to get a “rail spot”, and sole mission of providing the pure energy we all need is truly a thing of beauty. When Busta Rhymes said “Break Ya Fuckin Neck” back in 2001 they not only took it seriously but took it to a whole nother level... and for that we thank them.
- Arm Twizzlers - Someone once quoted, life’s a roller coaster, you can either hold on tight or put your hands up and enjoy the ride. These folks are the latter. The Twizzlers are unlike the shuffler whose feet do most of the work. This dancing style is about the upper body. Waving their arms and hands in their air, they sway like branches in the wind or to those feeling themselves a bit too much, like a blowup doll at your local Honda dealership. If you follow closely though, you will see that they are doing much more than meets the eye. They may believe they are actually conducting the performance in their own mind… To these visionaries, we love you and implore fellow goers to pat them on the back as they perfect their symphony... Just watch out not to spill their molly, I mean vodka, I mean ice water.
- Totem Pole Couple - The ultimate duet at any festival comprised of an unsung hero slowly shaking his hips right to left praying his knees don’t buckle and the goddess that rests upon his shoulders waving her hands like Beyonce with all of her single ladies. These two truly are the Yin to the other Yang and while one rises above the crowd and takes in the perfect view the other hopes the deed does not go forgotten when the tent zips up under the stars ;)
- Light Performers - Now, the best for last! These are the hoop spinning, poi flowing, space whipping, and glove mesmerizing volunteers that truly give back to the EDM community. Through their vibrant lights, they perform show after show, typically a free spectacle for any passerby. If you are fortunate to meet one of them, you should consider it a gifted from the festival gods. If possible, you must ask one the dancer to blow your mind, and chances are… they will. You will find small crowds circled around these luminescent dancers, sitting in pow wows, just to get a taste of face-melting visuals. We are grateful for the light performers, or “painters of the night” who consistently give back to the scene, elevating everyone’s experiences to a new level.
Which one are you? Now go dance the night away!
