Virtual Riot opens up about rehab experience that led him to start touring sober

Bass Artist Virtual Riot has opened up about his journey to sobriety in the music industry and his newly found vulnerability on a podcast.

The music industry across genres is well known for its late nights, early mornings, and the party lifestyle. However, more and more artists are choosing to go sober or remain sober in an industry that applauds hazy nights and groggy mornings. One of these artists is Virtual Riot.

A few big names have gotten sober or have remained sober throughout the majority of their career; Of the Trees, Kaskade, Illenium, Chris Lake, Ravenscoon, Kai Wachi, and many others are paving the way for fellow sober artists and ravers to feel welcome in an industry that can glorify substance abuse.

Recently sober, Virtual Riot, is one of those artists. Touring again, he linked up with Slamcast to discuss how his sobriety has impacted him as an artist and his lifestyle on the road. After a stay in rehab, Virtual Riot returned to the stage at Electric Forest 2023 with a new clarity to his performance, he was sober.

Virtual Riot spoke about how exposure therapy was a key player in his comfort and self-discipline, as he cannot control what others do at his shows, but he can control his actions. He noted that this strengthened his relationship with himself allowing him to be more dedicated to his creative craft.

Self-awareness factored into his decision, as he could party 7 nights a week while living in LA. When asked about others making the decision, he said, “Everyone has enough conscience—enough of a moral compass to know if what you’re doing is good for you or not,” he said. “It’s just about listening to that.”

In a 2011 interview, Chris Lake, one of the major house artists of this generation, noted that it took one reckless night in Miami for him to adjust his ways. Today. Lake is nearly 20 years sober. Of the Trees has openly discussed his divorce from alcohol saying that without it, his connection to his fans is stronger. In 2018, the legendary Avicii passed after a battle with substances, rocking the dance community. As more artists look out for their health; their creativity and longevity expands tremendously.

About The Author

Shiv

Hey! I’m Shiv!

Music is the greatest part of my life, I remember discovering dubstep when I was 15/16 and my entire life was altered – robot noises?? I needed MORE!

Now, I live in NYC and have seen over 60 artists of all genres; my favorites being Odesza, Subtronics, Rezz, Griz, Zeds Dead, John Summit and Kaskade. I am an enjoyer of music and will try everything once, I do not discriminate – there is beauty in all genres (minus country).

You can usually find me in a warehouse at 4AM because I am nocturnal and will quite literally never say no to a show.

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