Inside the Pop-Up Rave Culture of the US

What is a pop-up rave and why are they everywhere?

Over the past year or so, major metropolitan areas in the United States have experienced a bevy of “pop-up raves,” or spontaneous EDM events at non-traditional venues. According to Reddit threads, suitable topography for pop-up raves include private (but permissioned) land, side streets and alleyways, parking garage top floors, bodegas and storefronts, warehouses, etc. Often, there’s no real planning (or even permits), just an audio setup and a DJ. Pop-up raves are the United States version of the UK’s underground grime scene. Slightly brighter in energy and certainly bougier, but akin in spontaneity.

Fred Again.., an artist currently championing the pop-up rave trend, has received international attention for notoriously producing pop-ups, especially in New York City. He has posted pop-up rave announcements via his Instagram, sometimes mere hours before the event. The mystery and whimsicality generate buzz and tickets sell out in minutes. Noteworthy performances include his Time Square set with Skrillex and Four Tet in February 2023 and his collaboration with Skrillex in Madison Square Garden in February 2023.

What makes pop-up raves so unique is the feeling of immersion. People don’t simply want to go to a club or a concert – they want an experience. With the rise of Burning Man – a notorious pop-up, week-long rave, and art gallery in the desert – came new ways to rave outside the box. Diplo, an internationally lauded American DJ, recently hosted a cruise excursion to Antarctica replete with penguin watching, icy dips in the ocean, sound baths, yoga, husky sledding, and much more.

He has spoken out about wanting to host 5ks that turn into pop-up raves, essentially novel experiences that bring people together and give them an operation, mission, or task. Incorporating caprice into shows (whether it be last-minute ticket drops, novel excursions, or both) unlocks an exciting form of engagement with fans.

Although much of the feedback regarding pop-up raves in the United States has been positive, leave it to Reddit to uncover the dubious. User Classic-Negroni shared feedback via Reddit regarding Fred Again’s.. pop-ups, citing pitfalls. “While the man is clearly talented, he represents a pretty obnoxious side of TikTok EDM where hype trumps substance…” The user expanded upon his assertion with, “I’ll never forget when he did his secret set 1-2 years go in [New York City], but [to] get invited you had to submit your socials [and] even when submitting socials and getting approved… once you showed up the bouncers [only let in] influencers.” 

Although much of the pop-up scene in New York City is open to the public, internet rabbitholes expose some sketchiness. There are, in fact, pop-ups for New York and LA’s elite: clout chasers and influencers. The ideas of pop-up raves and immersive experiences are sexy, but inclusion is sexier. It’s a pop-up rave, not a Las Vegas club.