I'm doing research for anthropology class on what trance culture is all about.

This isn't aimed at the history of trance and where EDM came from but more towards how the culture behaves at a show. For example, I recently saw Tiesto and I noticed that the DJ has some superior power over everyone else. When Tiesto clapped his hands, everyone followed. Witnessing this behavior can make an observer think that the DJ is the "god" and that everyone worships him or her.

This is just one example of the culture of EDM and live performances of DJs. I'm trying to come up with more good stuff about your personal experiences in going to these shows and observing what kind of culture surrounds you.

You'r input would very much be appreciated!

You could add that with trance and other electronic styles that there is an appriciation for more than just the creators of music. For example barely anyone only plays songs that they made.

Trance has no culture.

cult, maybe.

But not a culture.

quote:

Originally posted by Ishkur Trance has no culture. cult, maybe. But not a culture.

Funny how you can't spell culture without cult.

I'd say it's really a mixed bag. On one side you have this DJ worship , which is kind of a pop culture thing if you think about it - young kids used to watching MTV and thinking artists are gods, they flip over to EDM and they try to do the same. But at the same time you've got the opposite going on; more respect for the music itself and not just idol worship. I don't know if you've noticed but in pop music a song would be titled like "Britney spears - song name", even when britney spears had no part in writing the lyrics, writing the music, producing the music, or anything besides performing the lyrics. Britney spears is really just a product. She's something for the little teenage girls to worship. In EDM, you don't have that. The exact same track would be labeled "[producer] feat. Britney Spears - Track name" Or even just "[producer] - track name". You can criticize Tiesto as much as you want, but at least he had a part in creating what gets put out under his name.

quote:

Originally posted by Demoted Funny how you can't spell culture without cult.

Deep man, deep.

___________________
Mixes:
> Maximum Elevation [Progressive House]
> DI.FM 26th Anniversary Guest Mix [Progressive House]
> Live @ Dance:Love:Hub London, 11.10.2025
> Higher Peaks [Progressive House]
> Dance:Love:Hub Afterparty (The Return) 23.11.24

Like these sets? Come see me play live at Kibosh in Manchester: https://www.instagram.com/kibosh.mcr/

quote:

Originally posted by SYSTEM-J Deep man, deep.

I know

Some parties I go to, it seems like they don't really hold their own culture, but rather they just depart completely from the usual pop culture without actually having their own identity. Like anything goes EXCEPT for the normal stuff people have to deal with in the daytime. It would be the last place where you would expect to find kids participating in everyday behavior like discussing politics or finding professional hookups or trying to pick up somebody of the opposite sex or doing some gimmicky makarena type of dance. It is a departure from everyday life if only for a single night. Crazy and naughty behavior is encouraged.

Other than that I dont think the world of trance fans really have much in common with each other. People are welcome to come and do whatever the hell they want and the more outragous it gets the more fun the parties seem to be. There is no "fitting in" with the trance crowd, because nobody really seems to fit in and everyone just lets themselves go and follows their feelings without regard to what it means or how people will react to it. It's just complete chaos accompanied by loud repetitive music. Like a modern day speakeasy where all things prohibited by authority are encouraged but kept secret.

Alot of trance parties have been tamed and don't really happen as I described, but those aren't the kind of parties I try to go to. I prefer the outings in basements out in the rural country, or the trips to the hole-in-the-wall businesses up in the mountains that occasionally get converted into a party place for the night. Established clubs usually host the tamer parties, they are relatively stable businesses and they have dress codes and pre-established limits for how long they can be open. They are like a teen club party or hanging out between classes at a high school. Kids form their cliques and try to look cooler than each other. They idolize the flavor of the month who is selected by the big magazine vote or clearchannel or whatever other large media outlet is in favor with the crowd.

Last edited by Zombie0915 on Nov-28-2005 at 21:09

quote:

Originally posted by Ishkur Trance has no culture. cult, maybe. But not a culture.

Haha, if trance had no culture, then why do we all go to tranceaddict and talk on these forums about music. Culture is everywhere dude.

I understand where you guys are coming from in the sense that trance can be more on a personal level than a social one. People let the music enter them personally. From watching everyone in the room, it seems that people are all moving the same way as if they are part of a whole community. And without the DJ, the community falls apart.

When I saw Tiesto, everyone was chanting "Ti-Es-To, Ti-Es-To". This is culture. It's just like seeing the Red Sox. Sure, it means something very personal to Boston fans, but when everyone chants "Yankees suck!", you join them.

In the rave scene, I see that a lot of people dress in the same fashion. I'm not saying EVERYONE!, but just I feel that most people dress metro or they definitely separate themselves fromt he rock style, goth, or any other kind of music ways of dressing.

Someone comment.

I dont think u can say there is "trance" culture ...There's obviously dj culture, underground culture, edm culture,ibiza culture, turntable culture ...its all there, just not so specific as to "trance culture" theres a trance following so maybe its more cult. You could of maybe said trance culture existed but not anymore ...i mean its not a prospering genre like it used to be. It def had cultural elements to it especially because of Ibiza, you could always tie in trance with Ibiza..and that was def a culture. :P

___________________
[img]http://x11.putfile.com/12/34902035365.jpg[/mg]
Please see sig rules thanks.

quote:

Originally posted by Remiks I dont think u can say there is "trance" culture ...There's obviously dj culture, underground culture, edm culture,ibiza culture, turntable culture ...its all there, just not so specific as to "trance culture" theres a trance following so maybe its more cult. You could of maybe said trance culture existed but not anymore ...i mean its not a prospering genre like it used to be. It def had cultural elements to it especially because of Ibiza, you could always tie in trance with Ibiza..and that was def a culture. :P

What's the difference between dj culture, edm culture, ibiza culture, and TRANCE CULTURE?

In what category would AVB and Tiesto fans be then?

pop/teen culture