Drop to Headliner: 7 EDM concert lingos explained

EDM concerts are sonic playgrounds where the beats drop, light dance, and the crowd becomes one with the music. If you just got your ticket to the Sunburn Festival or any other buzzing EDM concert in town, get lingo-equipped to enhance your concert experience.

7 EDM concert lingos and their meaning

1. Drop

It’s that euphoric moment when the bass kicks in, and the energy of the crowd reaches its zenith. Drop is the climactic phase of a song when the beat intensifies, and you reach the peak of dancing. Brace yourself with the maximum energy and get on your feet when you hear, “Get ready, folks when I say ‘3,2,1’, we will hit the drop!”

2. Bass

Referring to the lower music frequency, the bass is the powerful thumping you feel in your chest. Bass is the heart of EDM, which sets the foundation for the groove and rhythm. A bass wave usually comes with a punch like “Let’s turn up the bass to reach your heart”, when you slowly swing your smartphone with the torch on and feel the rhythm inside.

ALSO READ: Top gadgets to bring the live EDM concert experience home

3. Treble

On the opposite side of the spectrum is treble that refers to the higher frequencies, including the high-pitched sounds that add complexity to the music. If the treble includes vocals, sing along with the crowd and connect with the moment on a personal level.

4. Headliner

The headliner is the showstopper, main artist, or the band who takes the stage at the peak of the event. Any EDM or rock show that you attend has one or two rounds of warm-up artists or bands who come up on stage to lift the energy and the spirit of the audience before the main attraction of the concert steps in.

5. Rave

A rave is a highly energised dance moment where EDM takes centre stage. It’s a free-form style of dancing where the crowd kicks and slides their feet with the rhythm of the EDM. When the music reaches the crescendo, you can rave with a fist pump.   

6. DJ Set  

Contrary to a live set that mixes music from scratch, a DJ set is used to mix and blend pre-recorded music. Similarly, when a DJ set accompanies pre-recorded vocals, it is called a vocal set, which is also a common phenomenon in EDM. 

7. PLUR  

The cultural dogma of EDM is PLUR. It is like the EDM mantra that stands for Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect. When you are in an EDM concert, it transcends beyond the music and enters popular culture harmonies, where the audience ends up making new friends. Hearing PLUR commands follows an exchange of smiles, holding hands, or even a hug to reflect community belongingness.   

Get ready for your upcoming EDM concert and be the unstoppable part of the rave party!