Dancing in the void: Electronic dance music festival attendance as a path to enchantment

This study explores the transformative potential of contemporary electronic dance music festivals within the context of prevailing societal trends under neoliberalism, including secularism, individualism, hyperconsumption, and hyperproductivity. By synthesizing existing literature from sociology, philosophy, and cultural studies, alongside personal interviews with ravers, the study sheds light on the unique qualities of rave culture, offering insights that may inform efforts to foster well-being and community in an increasingly fragmented and alienating world. In exploring concepts of liminality, postsecularism, and communitas, the research seeks to elucidate how EDM festivals serve as catalysts for experiences of collective effervescence. By analyzing various facets of the modern EDM festival landscape, including the persistence of the subculture's original tenets of peace, love, unity, and respect (PLUR), perceived moments of sacredness, communal engagement, and anti-productive immersion in the present moment, the research identifies psychologically-beneficial elements of rave culture that could be integrated into broader societal contexts.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Grantor

Texas Woman's University

Year dc:date.issued

2024

Author dc:creator

• Boozer, Addison

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Abunasser, Rima

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Bender, Ashley
• Ernst, Daniel

• Rave
• Enchantment
• Postsecularism
• Festival
• Collective effervescence
• Communitas
• EDM

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/11274/16749

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:twu-ir.tdl.org:11274/16749