Underground Raves
Walking into a queer underground DIY party, the first thing you notice isn’t the music—it’s the worldbuilding. Whether in warehouses, rented venues, or converted studios, these raves create immersive spaces filled with handmade decor, local queer vendors, eclectic fashion, kandi trading, custom visuals, and merch tables. PLUR—Peace, Love, Unity, Respect—guides the atmosphere. Themes set the tone, and their visual promotion shapes how attendees understand the night, something I echoed in this webpage.
Inside, the theme comes alive through decorations and the crowd. Fashion is central to queer parties, with early 2000s subcultures like scene, emo, and cyber goth making a comeback. Even furries contribute to the vibrant visual landscape. DIY clothing and thrifting are common both for style and as a rejection of consumerism. Many outfits resemble early Internet avatars or childhood digital identities, now brought to life through rave-ready cosplay and playful self-expression.
A clear example is Weeb Adjacent, a New York party known for mashup themes like their recent "FNAF and Danganronpa and also Persona Rave." The flyer layers FNAF animatronics with Ren Amamiya and Nagito Komaeda, presented in bold, all-caps typography. The party's humor, use of yaoi-inspired ship art, and handmade attendee costumes all reinforce its nostalgic, fan-driven identity. (Yaoi refers to gay anime pairings, and "ship" comes from the word relationship, meaning putting characters together; the art visualizes the pairing.) Their other events, like "Sonic Rave but it's Also a Fruit Basket Rave," follow the same model of playful audience participation.
Community is at the core of underground rave culture. These events are organized by and for the community, creating spaces where safety, consent, and mutual respect are prioritized. Unlike commercial venues, underground raves operate on principles of inclusivity and care for one another.
The DIY nature of these events means that attendees often become organizers, DJs, or volunteers, fostering a sense of ownership and investment in the scene. This collaborative spirit extends beyond the dance floor, creating lasting friendships and support networks.
As the designer for all the merchandise, I spent over 100 hours ensuring each element honored both the theme and the community. My goal was to create items that appealed to Yu-Gi-Oh! fans and to music fans alike—so even those who knew only one side could still feel connected. Although Yu-Gi-Oh! peaked in the 2000s and 2010s, long-time fans still cherish the world, and they’re rarely recognized. I wanted to evoke memories of watching the TV show after school and card games with friends. Ultimately, that desire to make people feel seen is what drives themed parties—and the effort behind them.
