My Kandi Stories

It’s something we all love, to eat and wear. But to ravers it means something else. It’s like a friendship bracelet you can share with people all over the world that you meet at festivals. It’s a small piece of you that you give to someone you meet at a rave whether you meet them for 5 minutes or you continue to know them for years. The bonds created at raves and festivals are the most important and strong bonds you will ever create in your life. Sharing music together is like sharing your soul with someone. Your baring everything you have and showing the world who you are and what you love.

Some events ban Kandi from entering the venue solely because they believe it relates to doing drugs. This could not be farther from the truth. Kandi bracelets are your way of creating something unique and special that you want to share with new friends, lovers and even…the DJ?This has become my new favorite thing to do at shows. I find myself doing whatever possible to get my Kandi bracelet on the wrist of whoever is performing. My first time was with Sander Van Doorn….

A couple of months ago I was at a show in my hometown, Sander Van Doorn was playing. The night was magical. I met a couple who stole my heart and I danced with them the entire night. The energy in the room was electric and I couldn’t have been happier in that moment. When Sander came back on stage for an encore at the end of the night, I grabbed my new friend and asked if I could borrow her boyfriend for a minute. She obliged and I took his hand and ran to the front of the crowd. I told my new friend to put me on his shoulders, I hopped up there and looked at my wrists, which was I going to give him? And then I chose one that meant a great deal to me. One that was colourful and said “EDC Family” and then my name on it. Everyone I had gone to EDC with this year had one with each of our names on it. I took it off and waved my hands at him. Once I got his attention he motioned for my to toss it to him, he caught it, put it on his wrist and flashed me a rave heart and pointed my direction. I think my heart literally stopped beating for a moment. The entire crowd start cheering and I obviously started crying. I got down off my new friends shoulders and gave him a huge hug. Then all of a sudden everyone around me started asking if they could have a bracelet too. I gave out a couple and before I knew it they had all gone! But I was happy, I felt fulfilled. Everyone around me had a piece of me with them and I hope they all remember me every time they look down at their wrists.

Later that night I sent Sander Van Doorn a Tweet mentioning our exchange and to my surprise he responded. A simple, “Thanks again Tabitha it was a great night!” After reading that Tweet I almost died. Here one of my favorite artists was acknowledging me after giving something so personal to him. That connection made will never be broken. Still makes me smile when I think about it.

Another time was when Krewella was here. Now I know none of you know me but right behind how much Kaskade means to me, lies Krewella. For years I have followed their music and watched them create something out of nothing. I worship Jahan, I think she is the most talented and gifted vocalist and songwriter and her aura of creativity and being an absolute badass makes me slightly in love with her. Being a Krewella show, obviously the crowd was incredibly aggressive. I fought my way to the front and after being elbowed, punched, shoved and thrown, I got to her. I took off a bracelet that a friend of mine had given me at EDC. I met this friend there, she is from California and I couldn’t be more happy that I got the chance to meet her. She is such a special soul and the connection we made over that weekend was unreal. She had given me a large daisy looking Kandi that I definitely wouldn’t have had the creativity to make. I held it up in the air and Jahan leaned over the DJ booth to grab it from me and put it on her wrist. This was at the beginning of the night and she played the entire show with it on. I fought my way out of the crowd and looked up at my idols playing my favorite songs and felt completely satisfied with my life. That connection made solidified how much they mean to me and that moment will be with me forever.