Raving Is a State of Mind Not Bound by Age

It’s hard to stand out in a sea of 20,000 beautiful people, but Barbara Waters and her son, David, sure did. At Beyond Wonderland Bay Area 2015, we came across the two enjoying the sounds of D.O.D at Mad Hatter’s Castle, and we stopped to chat for a minute. Our quick conversation was proof that the Nobel-Prize-winning Irishman George Bernard Shaw knew a thing or two about a thing or two when he said, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.” Cheers to that, and to this woman for beating age with a simple state of mind.

“She’s having fun. I’m having fun. I think it’s really kinda cool that I can say to my friends, ‘Nah, I can’t do anything this weekend; I'm going to a music festival with my mom.’”

How long have you been coming to these types of events?
Barbara: I started going to underground ones in the ‘80s in Chicago. When they became more mainstream and less underground, I started coming back. It’s a lot easier now, because I have children that can drive me. They give me tickets for birthday presents, and things like that.

When you were going to parties in Chicago, what were you listening to?
Barbara: A lot of house music. I think it’s more defined now. You have trap, dub, electro, progressive—you can pick and choose. Many times back then when you went, you had no idea who was going to headline—you didn’t even know if the party was going to be moved. Things were way different back then.

Would you draw any comparisons to the parties in the ‘80s to what’s happening now?
Barbara: Back then, it was all by word of mouth. It was underground in warehouses, and so you had to know somebody who knows somebody that knew somebody, and you’d even have to come in with the password a lot of the time. Now you no longer have to do that; everything is online. I get my tickets, I’m out the door, and I’m happy as a clam. I have some special needs, too, and Insomniac has always provided me with the ADA platform, getting wristbands, plus having first aid in so many places around the show makes a huge difference to me. So, I just love coming to Insomniac events. I love the people and am really thankful for the people working for ADA access; they have always been so good to me. When I was post-op, they were right there helping me, getting me my wheelchair—the whole shebang. You can’t say that about other event promoters or clubs.

Do you remember when your first Insomniac event was?
David: She got tickets for Beyond Wonderland when it was in Oakland, but she doubled-booked with a murder mystery book convention, so she went to the murder mystery one. So, that was supposed to be her first one, but her first one was a show for Flux Pavilion. I bought her tickets for Mother’s Day because she missed Beyond in Oakland.

What did you think of Flux Pavilion?
Barbara: I really enjoy his music. I like that he’s kind of diverse. That’s why I really like coming to these events so much; I can go from stage to stage and really find the music that I’m feeling in the moment.

Is there anyone today that you’re particularly looking forward to seeing?
Barbara: Oh gosh, Tommy Trash, Laidback Luke. And I’m really looking forward to seeing Flux Pavilion again. I like Carnage and Knife Party, too. And Showtek is here, as well. Calvin Harris is, of course, everyone’s favorite. Tiësto, he’s a little mainstream, but he isn’t playing today.

Wow, you’re dropping some knowledge. How about you, David—you looking forward to seeing anyone today?
David: It’s been really nice that I can spend the weekend with my mom doing something fun. It’s a little weird because I have to be the adult here. Haha. It’s like, “Here, mom, have another beer.” But she’s having fun. I’m having fun. I think it’s really kinda cool that I can say to my friends, “Nah, I can’t do anything this weekend; I’m going to a music festival with my mom.”

How long have you been doing this together?
Barbara: Probably about the last five or six years.

Who got whom into electronic? It sounds like you converted your son, Barbara.
Barbara: He was more into hard metal and hard rock, and I was more into all this. Here’s a funny story: This gentleman over here [motions to a 20-something standing a few feet away in the shade]—he was my officemate, and one time he said to me, “Listen, you’re not going to be here this afternoon, so I’m going to play my music.” So he turns on his music, and I go, “Oh wait.” I pull out my phone, and the two of us just start going back and forth—“Do you have this or this one? You’ve gotta listen to this and this.”

So, he had no idea you liked electronic music, and now he’s joining you and your son at festivals. Thanks so much for making the time and sharing your story with us.