As COVID-19 continues to linger across the country, companies are continuing to seek out new ways to reach their customers, as many industries have been forced to adapt. The music industry is one such group. While there have been some bands that have unsuccessfully attempted to hold a safe concert amidst the pandemic, the close-quarters nature of concerts and raves have led to a general absence of live music this year. California based record companies Insomniac Records and Vital Events are taking a different approach, however, with a series of what they’re calling “PARK ‘N RAVE” concerts, which allow for socially distanced raves. 

Rather than following the traditional one ticket per person structure of most concerts, Park ‘n Rave will be following a “car pass” concept, where they will be admitting groups of up to 5 per vehicle for prices of 200-400 dollars. Rather than one centralized area for the audience to gather, each car pass comes with a socially distant “rave space”. This space is tied to a parking spot and separate dance floor for each group. Attendees are encouraged to decorate their spaces and make full use of the space for dancing. The first show of the series took place on Oct. 9, featuring a variety of EDM artists, hosted by the Factory 93 club. For a more local experience, Vital Events is hosting their next event, “Boombox Cartel” at the Alameda Fairgrounds on Oct. 24.

The concert itself uses a system of both stage audio and an accessible FM signal as a way to create the concert sound but projected over the much larger area. To compensate for the more restricted areas of the rave spaces, the venues are offering an online order food system that they promise to deliver directly to each individual rave space or supply through a food truck, as well as encouraging attendees to bring their own food and drink. The venues are also increasing the number of restrooms and sanitization stations to help keep the event as safe and clean as possible.

This first concert marks the first of a weekly series of concerts held at various venues from Vital Events. Future events include “Boombox Cartel” and “Adventure Club”, held at the Alameda Fairgrounds on Oct. 24 and Nov. 7. All events in the Insomniac concert series are enforcing an 18+ rule for all attendees, while Vital is an all-ages event, with both maintaining a strict set of rules for health and social distancing. On top of the standard rules for concert attendance, all concert goers are required to have a mask on for the entirety of their time outside their vehicle, even in their space bubble. This comes along with a rule that if you have tested positive or been potentially exposed to COVID-19, they strongly request they stay home instead of attending, as well as an encouragement to restrict parties to their own quarantine community, so as to reduce the risk of spreading the virus at the event. 

While the future dates for venues are still being announced, Insomniac Records and Vital Events are both excited to provide a way for fans to participate in the concert/rave setting as best they can while still staying safe with the virus.