Should Electronic Dance Music Festivals Be Banned: A Sample Essay For Inspiration & Mimicking

Electronic Dance Music festivals did not start off as it looks and feels today. Electronic Dance Music first began as an underground rave movement and were mostly small private affairs. The locations were often kept secret and were held in large, abandoned warehouses or any large, free and open space. What was underground in the 1980’s soon became a legitimate and huge music scene in the late 1990’s and 2000’s. This was a result of the change in nature of the genre as well as the possible revenues it could generate when legitimized. These new festivals which are organized on a grand scale often feature famous artists and give equal importance to the visual spectacle with, pyrotechnics, laser shows and complex lights. The fashion of its followers too changed over the years and now the fashion looks highly slick, incorporating elements from pop culture and other areas such as the gay parades. As the size and stature of these festivals grew, concerns were also raised. People complained of the rave culture and how it affected kids who got into drugs. Health concerns for the party goers as well as concern over drug use and some fatal accidents prompted critics to call for a ban to such festivals. So far there has not been an outright ban. Electronic Dance Music festivals should not be banned as they are like any other music festivals. They have a following and culture of their own and should not be singled out for harming the kids or the festival goers. They also bring in a lot of revenue through tickets, taxes and rents to small counties and thus should not be banned. Banning it outright would only cause it to go underground again where no regulations are applied. Instead of banning in authorities can bring in more rules and regulations for such shows.
A main reason for the call for ban is the increased use of drugs in these festivals. The rave culture is associated with drug taking and a psychedelic experience. Although this was true in the early days, the festivals have changed over time. It is not only the hardcore Electronic dance music fans who come to the show anymore. Others come for the music as well as the visual spectacles. the atmosphere too is electrifying and even for people who are not fans, it becomes an unforgettable experience. There are instances of drug taking in almost all music festivals. The ban on drugs has not worked effectively even though it has been in place for many years. Similarly a ban on these music festivals would not change the behavior of the fans who come here. Banning these festivals would only make the movement go underground again. There is in fact a positive change as a result of legitimizing these festivals. When the festivals are huge and happen under the auspices of the officials, the health and safety regulations have to be followed. This means the officials can keep an eye on what’s happening in these festivals and can also provide timely help. The organizers are also liable to any problems the fans might face. These days there are also many non-profit organizations who organize camps outside of these festivals where the festival goers can be tested for drugs. Although the government has not agreed to this everywhere, this could be a better move than trying to ban the festivals altogether. knowing that they might be caught for drug intake would solve the problem. Banning something because it is considered bad is not a good option. Especially with teenagers who tend to try it out just to rebel against authority. In the case of Electronic Dance Music festivals, teenagers and young adults form the majority of the festival goers and banning it would only force them to look for other options or try ingenious ways to do the same thing. Electronic dance music festivals should not be banned because having them out in the open at least gives outsiders an insight into what goes on in these festivals. Pushing them underground would only mean there is no control anyone could exercise over it. Legitimizing and making them bigger also means that these events have become too commercialized. These days the festivals resemble any other rock shows or are part of music festivals where every kind of music is being played. Commercialization of a once underground genre soon spoils its mysteriousness and appeal. It will either fade away or morph into something else. Electronic Dance Music festivals of today have reached that stage where the festival goers are of all kinds.
Another reason the festivals should not be banned is the sheer amount of money they bring in. Huge festival means there are a lot of people who are involved in making it happen. There are the technicians, the volunteers, the cleaners, the vendors and the security personnel who keep order in the festival. they get employed even though it is for a few days. Most of these festivals happen not in city centres but in small counties where there are open spaces. These festivals bring in revenue to the county departments through the taxes and rents. The festival goers also sty near to the music festivals and bring in revenue to the local economy. Restaurants , hotels and departmental stores see a spike in their income when these festivals are in town. The festival goers also dress up in unique costumes when they are attending these shows. This also generates income for the retail industry. Electronic dance music festivals are a part of the rich music scene and culture of many countries. Banning them is not a good idea.
It is also however true that these dance music festivals are not entirely safe. There have been fatalities at these shoes and many cases of drug overdoses. The loud music and the raucous atmosphere might also scare and disturb the outsiders or the communities who live near these festival areas. parents with teenage kids are mostly worried about the behavior of their kids in these festivals. Since they can do little to stop them from going, they call for a ban instead. There is no doubt that the concerns of the parents and the officials over the health and safety of the festival goers are genuine. There is a certain possibility that fatalities might continue to happen at these festivals and young kids could be affected. But banning is not a solution. There are other ways these problems could be solved. The age limit could be increased. Drug tests could be made mandatory and more security could be called in to manage the crowd. Big purses and backpacks should also be banned from the festival area. Security checks at the entrance of the festivals also help in the confiscation of contraband.
Banning electronic dance music festivals has the possibility of pushing the genre underground again. There will also be loss in revenue for a lot of people involved in these festivals. Banning these festivals would also impinge on the creativity of these artists as well as the right of the festival goer to listen to the kind of music he or she wants. These festivals should not be banned. Instead measures can be taken to assuage the fears of the people who call for the ban.