What Are The Biggest Misconceptions About EDM?

    We posed that question to people at one of the world's biggest electronic music festivals, Tomorrowland, and here's what they said. They want you to know: It's not about the drugs.

    Aylin Zafar
    by Aylin Zafar

    BuzzFeed Staff

    1.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "Big misconception:

    PLUR = PLease Let Us Rage.

    No!

    PLUR = Peace. Love. Unity. Respect. + Responsibility

    <3 for the music unites us in this chaotic world." – Angie, U.S.A.

    2.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "The biggest misconception about EDM is that its only been around 4 years. I'ts been around for a long time. It's great." – Frank, London

    3.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "The biggest misconception about trance music is that all fans are either drug addicts or connected to enjoy consuming some form of drugs or another." – Omar, Syria

    4.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "The biggest misconception about EDM is everyone does drugs, dresses funny, and is irresponsible." – Unknown, Canada

    5.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "A lot of people think that electronic music is only "pum, pum" but NO. There's a lot of genres and styles. For instance, for me, I like house, deep house... and they also think that they have to take drugs to have the energy or to feel the music. And it's not true. Thats the best part of it!" – Veronica, Venezuela

    Translated from Spanish

    6.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "Biggest misconception is assuming all EDM is the same. And all EDM festivals consist of similar artists. There's tonnes of different sounds and 'genres' all falling under 'EDM' music nowadays." – Unknown, Australia

    7.

    The Le for BuzzFeed

    "Drugs" – Andereggi, Switzerland

    8.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "No one drinks booze here!" – Unknown, Canada

    9.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "Everyone is getting high, take some pills and go to Tomorrowland!" – Unknown, Belgium

    10.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "We are here for <3 for music. Not Drugs." – Jung, U.S.A.

    And these festival-goers would like to replace misconceptions about EDM culture with these truths:

    11.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "Ravers don't need drugs!!" – Unknown, Germany

    12.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "It's not drug music. Open your eyes and feel the love." – Thi, U.S.A.

    13.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "B'coz it's all about the music and not about the drugs." – Khudel, India

    14.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "IDM isn't only drugs and alcohol. It brings a lot of cultures together." – Lynn, Belgium

    15.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "I just want to enjoy the festival so... I don't wanna get drunk and I don't smoke drugs or anything. I <3 Tomorrowland" – Charlene, Belgium

    16.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "It's ALL about the music!" – Uknown, Malaysia

    17.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "It's not all about the drugs! It's about the MUSIC and the LOVE!" – Derek, London

    18.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "Up until three years ago I wasn't into EDM at all. Just like many others I associated electronic music with drugs. However things have changed and I now understand the true beauty of EDM. It brings me joy and happiness – without any drugs :) You can feel the music!" – Monica, Switzerland

    Translated from German

    19.

    Aylin Zafar/BuzzFeed

    "It's about the love for the music, if you love it well enough you're never gonna need [drugs]." – Olav, Netherlands