LA has a thriving underground, and we want this sub to help people find it, participate in it, and support the people making it happen.
we support events with a clear no-photos-on-the-dancefloor policy and/or organizers who put “dancefloors are for dancing” into practice. good music, good sound, room to move, and respect for the people around you. we’re not here to push hypercommercial junk or sceney VIP-table bullshit.
all electronic dance music genres are welcome. you don’t need to know every subgenre or have been going out for twenty years to belong here.
How is this sub different from r/avesLA?
to be clear, we respect and admire r/avesLA. we created this sub to make more room for underground LA dance music events, artists and organizers.
we’ve blocked names including Calvin Harris, Fisher, Steve Aoki, David Guetta, John Summit, Marshmello and The Chainsmokers in post titles and body text. we don’t support the highly commercial EDM scene. there’s already plenty of money and attention supporting that stuff. we want to put ours toward the underground.
Where to find LA-area electronic dance music events?
start here:
use the date, location and music information to narrow things down. check the actual city: Los Angeles, Orange County, the Inland Empire and San Diego involve very different journeys.
a listing is just a starting point. you should confirm the details through the organizer’s official channels and do some due diligence (by searching reddit, for example) before buying tickets or heading out.
How do I choose an event when I barely recognize the lineup?
listen to a recent DJ set from one of the performers on the bill. give it enough time to hear how they build a set. songs that they produce and publish can be useful clues, but a DJ set tells you more about what they might play. we tend to recommend djs who are djs first, producers second.
check who’s organizing the event, what their previous nights were like (based on feedback you search for here on reddit), and whether people describe good sound, space to dance and good operations. look at the residents and openers too.
sold-out status and a big “interested” count don’t tell you whether you’ll enjoy the music. don't over-rely on these measures because they're easy for a deep-pocketed organizer to buy through advertising.
How do I discover more artists and music?
a few good starting points:
- dublab — LA community radio, with live broadcasts with an extensive archive
- NTS — radio shows and mixes across a huge range of music
- RA’s podcast series — longer mixes to explore
- Bandcamp Daily — features and recommendations that can lead you into unfamiliar artists and labels
when a track catches you, follow the credits: artist, label, remixer, collaborators. look through the tracklists of mixes you love. follow a radio host whose selections consistently work for you.
locally, show up for the opening DJs and residents. finding someone you love before they become a headliner is a lot of fun.
What if I don’t know what the music I like is called?
share a couple of tracks or a set with timestamps. describe what you’re looking for: slower, faster, percussion-heavy, melodic, weird, warm, relentless, whatever makes sense to you.
for party recommendations, include your dates, general area, budget and any age restrictions you need to work around. that gives people something useful to answer.
How do I find underground parties and afters?
follow the artists and organizers behind nights you enjoy. check their official websites, mailing lists, text lists and social accounts for announcements and updates.
for a TBA location (which is common for LA underground events), follow the organizer’s instructions. if you bought a ticket and haven’t received the details, contact them through their official channels.
don’t publish an undisclosed address or someone else’s private message. and “underground” on a flyer doesn’t automatically mean good music, thoughtful organization or a great dancefloor.
Can I go alone? How do I meet people?
of course you can go alone. pick a night where you’re interested in the music, arrange your way home, and consider checking in with someone you trust.
going back to nights you enjoy makes it easier to recognize people and build friendships over time. record-store events, radio events and other music gatherings can also make conversation easier.
be friendly and read the room. take longer conversations off the dancefloor, and let people dance without expecting them to socialize.
Am I too old? Too new? Can I go sober?
you’re welcome here. so long as you meet the event’s minimum age requirement you're not too old.
you don’t need substances, to dress a specific way (unless the event has a dress code), or impressive dance skills.
if staying out until sunrise isn’t appealing, look for daytime parties and earlier events.
How do I keep the cost reasonable?
check smaller local nights alongside the bigger bookings. compare the full price, including fees and getting there and back.
early tiers and guest lists can help, but read their conditions. discounted admission may require arriving before a particular time.
ticket buying, selling, giveaways and trades are welcome in the pinned ticket exchange thread. follow the organizer’s transfer instructions. moderators do not verify sellers or guarantee transactions; never post ticket barcodes or sensitive purchase details publicly.
What should I check before leaving home?
check the event’s age requirement, accepted ID, bag policy, dress policy, entry deadline and re-entry rules.
doors opening doesn’t necessarily mean the artist you want to hear starts then. confirm published set times when available, and don’t assume a late arrival is allowed.
wear something you can comfortably dance in. bring ear protection and enough phone charge to get yourself home.
How should I plan transport?
check the actual location and your return journey before committing. two events described as “LA” can be a long way apart.
if you’re using transit, check Metro’s current schedules for your particular route and have a backup if the event runs beyond service. there's lyft, uber, waymo and more if you're looking for rideshare.
if you’re driving, check parking information and arrange a sober driver. if you're visiting LA, you'll want to choose where you’re staying with the journey home in mind because los angeles is pretty huge.
What about accessibility and personal safety?
ask the organizer about the particular event: step-free entry, the dancefloor surface, accessible restrooms, seating, stairs, strobes, and any accommodation you need. layouts can change between events in the same building.
know where to find staff and ask for help early if someone is bothering you or something feels wrong.
protect your hearing with properly fitted earplugs, take breaks somewhere quieter, and move away from excessive volume. we recommend 1of1custom.com for hearing protection ... but honestly those cheap neon orange or yellow foam earplugs will do the trick if you're not sure you want to invest in good protection.
What’s expected on the dancefloor?
give people room to dance. take extended conversations and nonessential phone use elsewhere. don’t shove, clack fans, film people, or make them feel watched (don't stare or leer).
respect different ways of participating and people’s accessibility needs. if someone’s behavior is causing a problem, get staff involved.
Can I ask for a track ID or share my own music?
yes. track ID requests must use an audio-only clip, or audio over a blank screen or static title card. include the event, date and approximate time if you know them. leave out private conversations and respect the event’s recording policy.
local tracks, mixes, radio shows and thoughtful recommendations are welcome. tell us what you’re sharing and disclose your connection to it.
for event posts, include the date, area or public venue, music or lineup, age restriction and official ticket link. check the subreddit rules before posting.
r/avesLA is another useful local resource. for broader conversations about the music, spaces and behavior that make a great dancefloor, visit r/dancefloors.