Best for:
First-time ravers, creative entrepreneurs, EDM enthusiasts, those interested in trying new things, and the Shrek-obsessed individuals.
Last Friday Night:
Friday, March 13th, the first one since Covid lockdown was implemented. I went to my first rave in my thirty-four years on Earth. I took my friend Haylee to Newport Music Hall in Columbus, Ohio for her birthday. Since she is a veteran of the scene and I am a total newbie. This Shrek-themed event served as the perfect entry point. We arrived after the 9:00 PM start time, but the show didn’t actually hit its take off until later. We didn’t end up missing a single beat of the chaos.
The Visual Assault:
The performer, WHUBLUB, held the stage with a set that was pure, relentless kinetic energy. The screen behind the booth was a strobe-lit fever dream of animated assets. It wasn’t just “Shrek visuals.” These were a hilarious and on beat Fairy Godmother twerking in high-definition, gingerbread man, donkey, and others but especially Shrek of course in crazy fashion. The sensory input was a deliberate clash of childhood nostalgia and aggressive electronic production.
The Costume Hierarchy:
The crowd didn’t just “dress up.” They showed up and committed to the absurdity. The Newport Music Hall was packed with specific, niche nods to the franchise:
- A bunch of trios of Three Blind Mice navigating the pit.
- A wizard owning the bass.
- A high-fidelity Doris. You know the “Ugly Stepsister” who intentionally looks like a man. Dressed up as Doris was a man, and I totally missed my calling.
Seeing the technical execution of these costumes made it clear: next year, I am showing up as a character from the Far Far Away fringe. We are already planning the outfits.
The Rookie Mistake:
I feel like misreading the room is part of the first-timer experience. At around 10:30 or 11:00 PM, WHUBLUB, announced he had a “couple more” tracks. In a traditional venue, that means the lights are coming up. This being my thought track we exited, after his last track.
In reality, the set was not even halfway through and the party raged well past midnight. Hayley didn’t mention it at the time. I wonder if she noticed, maybe she was just in the zone. Now a lesson has been learned: the “end” for some sometimes means the beginning for others.
The Shrek Rave Phenomenon:
The Shrek Rave is a massive touring phenomenon operating under the mantra: “Cool is Dead. It’s Dumb Just Come Have Fun.” It is an 18+ event that intentionally blends the absurdity of the Shrek universe with professional-grade EDM production. It creates a space where the “seriousness” of traditional nightlife is stripped away in favor of pure, inclusive chaos.
The Roots of the Rhythm:
To understand why a Shrek-themed party works, you have to look at where rave culture started. This style of music and show emerged in the late 1980s in the UK and Europe as an underground rebellion against mainstream society and rigid social norms.
The Birth of the Underground:
The original raves began in abandoned warehouses and open fields. These gatherings were fueled by Acid House. Which is a subgenre of house music known for the “squelching” electronic sounds of the Roland TB-303 synthesizer.
These events were built on the core values of P.L.U.R. (Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect). This provided a vital safe space for marginalized groups, queer communities, and anyone seeking liberation through music.
Defining EDM-
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) is a technical umbrella term for music engineered for high-output sound systems.
- House: Born in Chicago (The Warehouse), rooted in 4/4 “four-on-the-floor” drum patterns.
- Techno: Detroit’s industrial contribution, focusing on mechanical, repetitive sequences.
- Drum and Bass: High-BPM UK breakbeats that emphasize heavy low-end frequencies.
Rebuilding the Narrative
This night was a crash course in the reality of the Columbus rave scene. The music was loud, the costumes were killer, and the schedule is packed. We may have missed the final acts this year, but the blueprint is set. As long as they have it again, next March, the costumes will be ready, and we are staying until the house lights kill the vibe.
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