As a DJ, we’re entrusted with more than just setting the vibe—we’re orchestrating the energy of entire crowds. Whether we realize it or not, our sets do more than move bodies; they have the potential to shift minds, heal souls, and even change the trajectory of someone’s night (or life). But there’s a side to festival culture that we don’t always talk about: harm reduction. And it starts with understanding the science of sound.
We Are Electromagnetic Beings
At our core, human beings are electromagnetic fields. We're made up of atoms that are animated by frequency and vibration. Everything in the universe vibrates, including us. So when we stand in front of a speaker and let the bass roll over us, we’re more than just hearing sound—we’re absorbing it on a cellular level.
Vibration shapes reality. It's not just a metaphysical concept; it’s scientific fact. The frequencies we expose ourselves to can uplift us or lower our vibration, affecting everything from our mood to our physical health. Now, imagine the power of those vibrations when hundreds or thousands of people are collectively moving to the same beat at a festival. The energy we create isn’t just a vibe—it’s a shared, collective frequency.
The Dark Side of the Festival
Most EDM festivals, like Future Forest, feature a lineup of DJs who are competing for attention. It’s part of the culture: harder, darker, faster sounds dominate, especially as the night deepens. But the darker hours of the night are more than just a shift in lighting—they represent a shift in energy.
When the sun sets, our biofield (the energy field that surrounds and protects our body) becomes more susceptible to outside influences. The absence of sunlight makes us more influenced by the moon’s energy, which governs water, emotion, and the subconscious mind. These late hours are when people are most open to suggestion, and the sound we play as DJs carries more weight than we might realize.
The moon’s time is the time of the subconscious, and when we're programming the subconscious with hard, fast, and dark sounds, we may be leading people into states of emotional or mental imbalance. That’s why nighttime sets, in particular, require intentionality. It’s during these hours that the body and mind are more vulnerable—and where we see the most harm at festivals.
Harm Reduction Through Frequency
I’ve seen it first-hand: the late-night hours at festivals often bring out some of the darkest experiences. Overdoses, sexual assaults, and bad psychedelic trips happen more frequently when the collective energy dips. These aren’t isolated incidents—they’re a direct result of the energy and frequencies being shared.
In ancient cultures, shamans used specific songs and frequencies to protect the spirit and guide people through altered states. They understood that sound is medicine. But today, many DJs are unaware of this wisdom, and instead of healing frequencies, we often hear sets that amplify chaos and dissonance.
Sound doesn’t just impact our mood—it impacts our biology. Imagine playing frequencies that disrupt the cells that carry signals through our bodies, like blood (which is made up of water and holds memory). In the same way that cell phones and Wi-Fi signals can affect us, sound waves are absorbed by our water-dense bodies, influencing everything from our energy levels to our mental clarity.
Sober Raves & Ecstatic Dances
This is where the magic of sober raves and ecstatic dances comes in. These events honor the natural circadian rhythm—a full cycle that includes both the intensity and the calm, not just the chaos of the night. By consciously aligning sound and movement with this rhythm, we can create spaces that heal instead of harm.
Sober raves are designed to embrace every phase, from the rise of energy to the grounding, integrative moments that bring people back to center. By balancing the highs and the lows, these events offer participants a more holistic experience. In doing so, they play a huge role in helping to heal frequency wounding, creating an atmosphere that fosters connection, clarity, and emotional release without the disruptive effects of drugs or unbalanced sound choices.
The DJ’s Responsibility: Sound as Medicine
As DJs, we have a choice: we can either perpetuate the cycle of competition, or we can take responsibility for the frequencies we put out into the world. We can create sets that protect and elevate, rather than harm.
The late-night hours at festivals aren’t just another time slot—they’re a sacred window into the subconscious. By being mindful of the frequencies we play, we can turn these moments into opportunities for collective healing. Imagine a festival where, instead of overdoses and bad trips, people leave feeling balanced, healed, and connected to themselves and each other. That’s the power of sound when it’s used with intention.
It’s time to rethink what we’re doing behind the decks. Harm reduction starts with us. By understanding the science of sound and the power of vibration, we can create experiences that uplift, heal, and transform—not just for the moment, but for life.
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