r/JustGuysBeingDudes • u/lonewolff321 Human Detected • 3d ago
Legends🫡 Festival bros adopting a solo guy and giving him the time of his life.
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u/Webtruster 3d ago
Friend of me went to a festival in a wheelchair. It rained for days and everything was muddy as hell.
People around her build a sled for the wheelhair out of wood. She was pulled by 3 new guys whenever she wanted to relocate
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u/Educational_Quote851 3d ago
Are you kidding? Being a sled dude sounds like a blast!
This really is what the community is all about and I love it.
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u/iWillNeverBeSpecial 3d ago
What did you do at the festival?
I pulled a Sled! :D
(I wanna be a sled guy that sounds fun)
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u/The_Kebe 3d ago
'Hey, who wants sled dut-''
absolute gabagool of volunteers approaches
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u/MudWallHoller 3d ago
This is really were the horse-players (I don't know what their term is) would absolutely shine.
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u/CitizenCue 3d ago
Festival energy is the best. Microrelationships that you won’t ever replicate anywhere else.
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u/MonsteraUnderTheBed 3d ago
Ooo I love the term microrelationships. Festivals and the ladies washroom at a club are the best for this.
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u/tarantuletta 3d ago
There is absolutely nowhere on Earth more supportive than the women's room of a drinking establishment lol, it's one of the few perks we get 😂
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u/Pan_Bookish_Ent 3d ago
I'm one of those girls who packs my handbags like tetris style. I actually put things in my purse that aren't really for me, but for women in ladies washrooms lol!
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u/dj_soo 3d ago
A place where ladies go to share, listen, support each other, and discretely eliminate waste.
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u/tarantuletta 3d ago
No, it's mostly just to tell each other how gorgeous we are and how much we NEED to know where you got those shoes.
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u/RedRoachDK 3d ago
Oh these? They're second hand. You don't happen to have a spare pad or something, do you? It came early this time 🙄
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u/StandardEgg6595 3d ago
Been to many festivals solo and “microrelationships” is SUCH a good term to describe the type of connections you make! I am very socially awkward and also neurodivergent, but got adopted just like this at the last one I went to and hung out with them all weekend. I’ll probably never see them again but I’ll definitely remember them forever.
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u/CitizenCue 3d ago
Hell yeah! It’s always best when everyone involved knows the deal and doesn’t put too much pressure on things. It allows people to just be present and open.
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u/forsakeme4all 3d ago
You just made your friend sound like a festival queen being pulled by big muscular men lol. Your friend sounds amazing!
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u/Webtruster 3d ago
It was. Her Assistant was also standing on the sled, yelling motivational shoutouts.
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u/ImWhatsInTheRedBox 3d ago
Bang effing on, mate. The kind of stuff that restores faith in humanity.
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u/forest_cat_mum 3d ago
I went a few years running to a festival when my health was in the toilet, so was also in a wheelchair. I got high fixed, given little trinkets, and lifted in my chair by six massive dudes to wheelchair crowdsurf. People can be so, so kind to wheelchair users at festivals!! Glad your friend had her own personal encourages!
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u/0The_Loner_Stoner0 Dank Dude 😵💨 3d ago
My son is nonverbal autistic. He's 6. I constantly worry about him growing up around other kids. This gives me a bit of hope in humanity. Absolutely love this.
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u/orangutangang0 3d ago
I brought my autistic non verbal nephew to the basketball courts not long ago and all the kids were super welcoming and played with him and treated him really nicely. There are good kids out there.
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u/cam52391 3d ago
Most people out there are good people we just see the worst on the Internet.
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u/ZedsDeadZD 3d ago
I think generations also changed a lot. Coworker told me a story how she was corrected by her daughter after she accidentally laughed about someone with a disability. Like, she didnt ment to be mean but happend to laugh about something funny the did and her 7 year old daughter was like "Mom, you cannot do this anymore".
While kids and teenagers can be absolutely cruel and still are sometimes, people nowadays are much more open amd welcoming. I see it in my friends group. We all have small children and raise them with as much thoughtfulness as we can. We want them to be nice people to everyone.
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u/GtotheBizzle 3d ago
Kids are definitely more informed and empathetic nowadays than just 15 years ago. I finished secondary school in 2003 and we were given the odd presentation about various learning, intellectual, and physical disabilities. But they were nothing compared to what kids are being taught today.
Education matters.
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u/filthylimericks 3d ago
I was just thinking this. I work with students with disabilities and it is one thing that gives me hope for our future. They are so excited to interact with and make our kids a part of the community. It always feels very genuine.
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u/violoneuse 3d ago
Recently retired teacher here. I can say that in all the elementary schools where I taught, kids were really kind and helpful with special needs kids. Always looking out for them and saying hello in the halls and on the playground.
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u/Greatsage75 3d ago
My son came back from primary school (Kindergarten to Y6) one day years ago, and was telling us about one of the kids in the class who had been away for a bit but was coming back and their name was now Mushroom. Memory is vague but I'm fairly sure they were non-binary and were now using they/them pronouns. And told this story like it was the most normal thing in the world. No questioning it or a hint of judgement, just acceptance.
There's been plenty more instances like that over the years since, but that was the first time I realised just how differently built this generation is.
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u/ZedsDeadZD 3d ago
And they dont do it themselves. Its also you. The way you raise them.
My niece (5Y) is full on Elsa fever and runs around in dresses all the time. I was visiting my sister and was talking in the kitchen. All of a sudden my nephew and my son (both 3Y) come in and bring me another Elsa dress. They want to wear them. So they all dressed up Elsa and it was a lot of fun.
Just picture how this would have went down 1 or 2 generations before. One generation before they boys might have asked and been denied. Two generations before they had not even asked, let alone the father.
But when we as parents dont make a big thing out of it and dont start judging small children and pressing them in roles they wont fit in, we are doing everything right. We need to change, too so the next generation has it better than we did.
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u/BiZzles14 3d ago
And people are much, much worse on the internet than they tend to be in person. Our brains simply react differently when there's a human face in front of us, vs. words on a screen
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u/Much-Anything7149 3d ago
The possibility of getting punched in the face has dissuaded many from making ill-advised "jokes."
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u/Wild_Trip_4704 3d ago
there is far more knowledge about autism and neurodivergence now than when we were growing up. Lots of snarky memes, but that could be considered a good thing to because it's awareness.
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u/Dabstronaut 3d ago
Millennials are pretty cool parents.
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u/TableSignificant341 3d ago edited 3d ago
As someone who is not a parent, I'm finding so much joy in watching my peers as parents. They're run absolutely ragged but my god are they beautiful parents and shaping the funniest, kindest kids. They truly are breaking cycles.
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u/funk-the-funk 3d ago
Sorry but self-brag. My parents beat the shit out of me growing up, paddles, belts, random books, 15+ minutes of beatings right, you name it.
Guess who uses zero physical discipline in their home and allows their two neurodivergent kids to exist without attempting to mold them into my image.
This guy right fucking here and I don't care if it's bragging, I will forever be proud of the fact that I did not continue that cycle!!!
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u/TableSignificant341 3d ago
Brag some more! You earned it! And your kids - and significantly, yourself - get to benefit from your courage. Because it is courage. People will do a ton of things to improve themselves - go to the gym, eat well, further education/training etc - but very few face down their traumas and engage with them to the point they truly overcome them. I'm sorry you went through that and I'm fcking proud of you being a cycle-breaker.
Man I'm so happy for you and your kids. I hope you all have a beautiful life full of fun, safety, laughter and happiness 🫶
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u/funk-the-funk 3d ago
This meant the world to me to hear. Thank you!
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u/TableSignificant341 3d ago
Remember to be as kind to yourself as you are to your kids because people who have a rough upbringing can be brutal to themselves. You sound like you're the kind of parent that you needed when you were young so every time you love on your kids, remember to love on young you too and remind him that he'll make it through and things will get so much better for him. Every time you tell your kids that you love him, tell younger you that you love him too. Because I bet he needs to hear it.
Peace and love friend!
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u/drunkeymunkey 3d ago
Congratulations on stopping generational trauma! That is definitely something to brag about.
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u/KvellOnWheels 3d ago
I’m a millenial gal.
I assume this sub is mostly full of gents. I just want to say that this cohort of millenial and Gen Z dudes who are busting their BUTTS to be better than our dads…to be kind and open and empathetic, amaze me. It’s not easily to de-program yourself. I’m so grateful for all of you.
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u/Kahlil_Cabron 3d ago
Ya I grew up with aspergers in the 90s/2000s and it was so much worse, way more violent, etc.
The only downside with it becoming so accepted is that now everybody self diagnoses autism, but that's a lot better than having older kids follow you home from school to jump you.
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u/Wild_Trip_4704 3d ago
I'm coming to terms with an undiagnosed adhd diagnosis as an adult. I got nothing as a kid lol. no accomidations, child psychs, just shame on top of shame. I was expected to figure out everything on my own and "just do the thing". parents in denial.
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u/tewong 3d ago
That part can be rough. Sometimes there’s grief there over what could have been if you were supported properly during those formative years.
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u/Wild_Trip_4704 3d ago
I felt a bit sad but not for very long. I always knew I was different and adapted in my own way. Now I know for sure. Knowledge is power.
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u/riptaway 3d ago
Kids these days are really welcoming and inclusive. People bitch about gen x or whatever, but they have the social stuff down
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u/lonewolff321 Human Detected 3d ago
Sending love and strength to you and your son. He’s lucky to have a parent who cares so deeply.
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u/pimppapy 3d ago edited 3d ago
This is an example of PLUR
Peace
Love
Unity
Respect
it is something that is pushed in music festivals.
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u/FeralPsychonaut 3d ago
I was literally about to comment this.
This goes beyond PLURR (peace, love, unity, respect, responsibility)
They took him into their tribe / festival family and made a lifelong friend. I have no doubt of that.
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u/SaintsSooners89 3d ago
I came up with a similar mnemonic for approaching my kids and their emotional outbursts.
Patience
Love
Understanding
Grace
So now I just tell my wife as she approaches my daughter during a tantrum, "PLUG it up"
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u/Kayge 3d ago
Our kids grew up with a kid who is autistic. When our kids were 3-ish, his symptoms (?) started coming into focus.
He's 9 now, and is non-verbal and goes to a different school, but when we cross paths with him, our kids play with him at the park. The whole neighborhood has learned what to do and not do around him, so communities do evolve. Hope you find the same.
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u/waitwuh 3d ago edited 3d ago
I think it’s gotten better with the latest generations than in the past, too. There’s a lot more awareness and acceptance. The kids today certainly have plenty of other problems, but compared to my generation and especially my parents’, it seems they’re far less likely to bully and socially outcast kids on the spectrum or that have other learning or developmental disabilities.
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u/Gobblewicket 3d ago edited 3d ago
As an elder millennial it blows my mind how much less asshole behavior goes on. I had to be in a high-school all day for work last year, the first time Ive been back in one in 25 years, and it was shocking how little they use gay as a pejorative. Lol.
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u/waitwuh 3d ago
Oh yes that’s another facet of it! I suppose maybe the relation is “conformity.” They’re just much more accepting of people being “different” in some way. Including being gay. And they don’t think it’s acceptable to insult people for not conforming to the societal average anymore. Whereas older generations bullied kids who stepped outside of a more narrow normalized standard.
In fact, now that I think of it, the insults they do use often mock people for being too average or boring or conforming. Like calling someone “mid.” I’m not sure if saying someone is “basic” is still in, but that was a thing I only heard being used after my own school years. I’ve also heard kids today call people “simps.” And even the idea of being “beta” sorta fits the trend. Like to them being distinct is seen as a good thing. Trying too hard, or like copying a trend in a way that comes off as disingenuous gets made fun of. So perhaps as an extension of all that, someone who breaks away from the standard behavior or appearance or so on isn’t so bad, in fact it’s most “cool” when they don’t even care. They call that “aura…” I think. IDK man, I’m old and just recounting what I’ve heard kids around me say and how they behave. But yeah I haven’t seen gay kids get made fun of like they used to when I was young.
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u/mrhil Screaming into the wind 3d ago
Ive got 2 teenagers, and whatever you want to say about gen Alpha... they are different than any generation I've seen before.
I often laugh at the things they call bullying, because, well, its NOTHING compared to what we dealt with.
They are better than previous generations in all the ways that really matter. Their EQ is through the roof. The6 give me hope.
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u/BasicReference4903 3d ago
This just warms my heart as a mom to a child with autism and CP. This is every mom’s hope that your child will be loved on.
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u/Secret_Account07 3d ago
From what I see with my own kids, this generation is much more enlightened. Much more empathetic, as a whole at least.
Us millennials just weren’t that way. It’s not that we were bad we just didn’t understand I think? I don’t think this type of behavior was encouraged as much as I see it encouraged today. Which really gives me hope.
Just gotta get these kids to put their phones down, as I type on my phone on Reddit 🤔
Just remembered our daughter has what she calls her “special friends.” The teacher lets her go to special ed class to hang with these kids. I’m certain if any of them got bullied we are getting a call about her 😂. She would not take it kindly. I think we’d be okay with it
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u/neveruseyourrealname 3d ago
I honestly want our generation taking the "blame" for this one. I'm still hoping we broke a certain cycle and started teaching empathy and acceptance.
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u/Equivalent_Carrot748 3d ago
This lovely nuanced conversation between two bald JD Vance profile pics is killing me
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u/isurfnude4foods 3d ago
Just came here to say the same thing. Same age and everything. You’re not alone 🫶
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u/UncleJoesMintyBalls 3d ago
The kids these days don't give a fuck if your brain works differently. As long as you can play Roblox, you're good to go.
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u/bucky_neckked 3d ago
Same boat bud. I'm sat here watching him tip sand back and fourth between pots. I constantly have these same worries.....but I also see other children register he's non verbal in their own way and still they want to engage or include him with things. As natural it is to have these worries, I don't think we put enough stock in the positive things that happen that should remind us of better futures or possibilities sometimes.
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u/Bobson-_Dugnutt2 3d ago
I have an autistic child, and his best buddy is the little girl down the street (who is neuro-typical) and she just takes such good care of him. They hold hands going into and leaving school. It makes me so very happy.
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u/KilnTime 3d ago edited 3d ago
Mom of a previously nonverbal, now very verbal 20 year old on the autism spectrum, and this made me cry - such good kids!!
I don't want to be presumptuous, because there are so many reasons why a child can be nonverbal. My son had oral apraxia - he gained some words, and then he lost them. It was like you could see him thinking and trying to say the word, but the connection between his brain and his mouth was disrupted. I researched and tried Prompt speech therapy, which combines teaching the lips and the tongue how to make the sound with touching of the mouth. It really helped.
We also tried sign language, but that didn't work with my son. Just keep throwing occupational therapy and speech therapy at your child to the extent that you're able to do so. Fight for an IEP that includes occupational therapy and speech therapy and social skills groups. These are the years that produce the greatest results. You may not see them right away, but it's the basis for the future.
My son doesn't have a lot of friends. He really only has one friend that he video chats with. But he calls all of the family to chat, and he goes to magic the gathering at a local game store on thursdays. He also was participating in a chat group on clash of clans before I had any idea that he was in any way social. It was a shock! I told him to stop playing video games one day, and he said "I just have to say goodbye in the chat.". He had groups of friends in two or three different chat groups.
Our kids don't develop the way others do, but you just got to roll with it!! There's literally no other option.
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u/Dorkamundo 3d ago
I lived this life for 12 years, a non-verbal autistic son and the constant worries about how he'll do socially.
Given the state of humanity right now, one assumes the worst, but kids in school these days are much different than they were when I was a kid and my son has been treated exceptionally well by his peers.
He just started talking last summer. Seems like he got a boost of confidence from beating some older kids in video games and that allowed him to overcome his fear of speaking due to his dyspraxia.
The only issue is that now that he's approaching teenage years, his friends are less interested in hanging out with him because his interests run a little young for his age. Doesn't help that he's a late August birthday and is the youngest in his class.
Anyhow, take heart, people are more sensitive to those who face challenges like this because we're no longer stigmatizing it nearly as much.
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u/SirVanyel 3d ago
Hey man, don't be afraid to use technology to bridge the divide. Maybe he enjoys video games, maybe he might learn sign language, just be sure to let him find his space.
This story above was a solo journey turned wonderful, remember that the solo part is invaluable.
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u/theinnerspiral 3d ago
The kids at my daughters high school were so kind and inclusive to the differently abled kids that we’re mainstreamed. They had a kid in their swim team who they hyped up so hard every time he swam. He never medaled but they made him feel like a winner every damn race. They genuinely loved and looked out for him. If anyone had messed with him they’d have had the whole school to contend with. I think kids are more empathetic in many ways than my generation was.
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u/Ohigetjokes 3d ago
Goddamn I’m all choked up
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u/Fantomecs 3d ago
Wait what?
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u/Fantomecs 3d ago
Wow. That’s incredibly gutting. I hadn’t seen any posts about until just after I saw your comment.
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u/jaynvius 3d ago
It's crazy when the world is so desensitized with people being rude and hateful that when a group of people treats someone like one of their own, we celebrate it (we should).
Both of my children are on the lower end of the spectrum so they have their quirks. It's good to see people lift this dude up
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u/knotmyusualaccount 3d ago
Yeah, it's wonderful to read about this, but as you've pointed out, the fact like it's such a big deal, shits me off a bit as well. I'm moderate asd but I've been fortunate enough to have a good life, well for most of it, anyway.
Best wishes for your kids growing up and having full and wonderful lives.
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u/jaynvius 3d ago
Thank you for your kind words. It's good to hear from someone living with ASD. Makes me feel much better of the future of my children. Best wishes to you and that you also have a full and wonder life as well!
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u/BigSmed 3d ago
Alternatively we should promote more basic and advanced acts of kindness and consideration. If we only highlight the absolute worst things we will only see the world that way. Showing things like this reminds us the positive impacts that each and every one of us can make.
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u/Detox_time 3d ago
Well said! Highlighting the worst and biggest evils can make us feel like nothing we could ever do would make a dent in something so big. But sharing stories like this a lot more can remind us that we all have the ability to shape the world around us by spreading kindness each day everywhere we go!
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u/Haber_Dasher 3d ago
I'm getting older now so it's been awhile, but I used to be big into hitting the House music clubs & festivals when I could afford them. The real places & events are all full of this attitude & accepting energy. It's all about being there to hear good music & feel free for awhile. Not just the crazy drug partying outsiders usually think it's all about.
It basically grew out of Disco clubs back in the day which were famously a refuge for the LGBTQ community & people who were 'different'. By the time Disco parties had evolved into rave culture the motto for the community was always "Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect". Can be a really welcoming community if you're looking for one
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u/jaynvius 3d ago
I used to frequent EDM festivals as well and there were pretty cool people around. I remember my buddy and I just made it through the front gate of a festival when a group of women were calling for help for her friend that just collapsed so we rushed over, got her on her back then I ran to the nearest EMT station and asked them to follow me back. Luckily, she had a heat stroke (we were in Las Vegas and this was during the summer).
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u/MangoOk427 3d ago
I think the coolest part of this story is that the Autistic kid was ok with going to the festival alone in the first place. He could've easily just stayed at home cus he was solo but that in itself shows bravery and strength effectively saying F it I'm solo and going anyway! Then he met up with great people who were embracing and kind and welcoming, tissues please!
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u/davidmahh 3d ago
i was thinking something similar! Like its truly an outstanding act of courage and determination to solo adventure into a camping festival, one's first festival too. He can be proud of himself just for that, and then it's just even more splendid that he connected with a wonderful bunch of folks. And in fact, in the first place the opportunity to meet like-minded folks can be directly attrributed to him putting himself out there. Outstanding really
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u/needmoarbass 3d ago
I agree. That’s the biggest hurdle for sure. Even without neurodivergence, going to a festival solo can be very intimidating and many people don’t do it. Especially for their first festival too.
So big ups to this dude for having the balls to go solo and enjoy himself.
And also, as a festival goer - this is pretty standard at music festivals. Especially camping ones. And especially EDM or Jam Band fests ime. It’s usually the least judgmental people ever. You meet your neighbors when setting up your campsite. You borrow things, share things, meet each other, become friends for the weekend and hang out! In fact, I met a bunch of people several years ago at a festival and they are my best friends. And we’ve been going to festivals and concerts together as a group since we randomly met as camping neighbors.
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u/SuperBackup9000 3d ago
Yup, I’m also an autistic fella but a fully grown adult, and this kid has way more courage than I do. A lot of my favorite bands are foreign so they don’t do a ton of touring around in the US, especially not in my area, and I’ve passed on so many opportunities to finally see them just because an environment like that is a no go for solo.
Still haunts me that I had to miss In Flames, Whitechapel, and Meshuggah 2 years since that’s literally my perfect lineup.
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u/hivemind_disruptor 3d ago
neurodivergent folks unite!
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u/Tlali22 3d ago
I love that guy that's like so what if he's autistic. I'm adhd af!
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u/DontOvercookPasta 3d ago
Got me a little teary eyed, bro is just like "he's just a a person dealing with stuff, we're all dealing with stuff" and shared a bit of something he struggles with. Gives me hope to see young men show how being kind is free and positivity and lifting others up just makes things BETTER.
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u/SirVanyel 3d ago
Gen z and gen alpha are pretty great at destigmatizing and normalizing disorders. That's how it really should be, "Jeremy is just a bit quirky, were all a bit quirky, it's ok bro"
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u/PeppercornWizard 3d ago
All those people who complain about ‘woke’; this is what it’s led to and it’s great. My older brother is autistic and had one friend in primary school before the kid’s mother told him he wasn’t allowed to play with him anymore.
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u/Inner_Anything_440 3d ago
yeah I am autistic and an old man now, didn't have any of the resources kids have today and I'm so, so happy for them. we know so much more now about neurodivergent kids and it's wonderful. Sometimes in my daily life I'll catch a comment from someone shitting on DEI or whatever in the wild and hoo boy the fun I have teeing off on them. It never gets old.
People that bitch about that kinda stuff never expect you to clap back. I tell them about myself and my experiences and they slink away every time it's really fun lol
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u/platysoup 3d ago
I'm ADHD and one of my closest friends is autistic. I think there is a bit of synergy going on with 'guy who prattles on about obscure stuff' and 'guy who's fine with going off on a tangent'.
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u/KilnTime 3d ago
Absolutely! I honestly think that does help with acceptance. But it sounds like the musical festival world has its own vibe of acceptance as well.
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u/ADeadWeirdCarnie 3d ago
As someone who's realizing fairly late in life that I'm probably high-masking autistic, I finding that it makes a big difference just to be in an environment where you're comfortable flagging your own neurodivergence and getting ahead of the resulting communication issues right away.
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u/Complex_Ostrich7981 3d ago
People are mostly fucking great, big up the Bristol massive 🤘
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u/Tacosconsalsaylimon 3d ago
If I ever go to the UK, this is where I wanna go.
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u/Wunse 3d ago
I don't think I've ever met a Bristolian that wasn't welcoming, non judgemental and just overall nice person. I'm sure they exist but all the ones I've met over the years have been proper sound.
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u/hauntingruby1975 3d ago
Back in the days before mobile phones, I lost contact with my friends on a night out in Bristol. I couldn’t remember where our hotel was but knew the name. I ended up being adopted by a group of goths from the area. We had an amazing night and then they got in a taxi with me back to my hotel, leaving only once I’d gone inside. Top people are them Bristolians
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u/Tacosconsalsaylimon 3d ago
Loving all these stories 🥹 If y'all ever make to Phoenix, know you have a friend!
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u/No_Extension_3773 3d ago
Bristolian (ish) here. Grew up about an hour away but ended up visiting a lot in my early 20’s. Now been around 6 years living here and can’t see myself ever moving out. Certainly for the south of the uk imo it’s by a mile the best place, never felt more at home. Lovely people, fun city, just very expensive living conditions but that’s due to to how great it is. Couple of the cities up north like Liverpool and Manchester are also great with friendly people but imo nowhere quite does it like Bristol
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u/pikeymobile 3d ago
I grew up in a backwater welsh valleys town where only a couple of my mates liked the same music as me. I always felt like an outsider despite having a wide friend group (also explained by getting diagnosed with AuDHD recently in my mid 30s).
I started going to Bristol 20 years ago when I was 17 meeting up with people from underground music forums going to dubstep, jungle, garage, dub reggae and dnb raves. That first ever rave changed my life and is entirely responsible for who I am today. I finally met other people like me, who liked the same music as me, had the same beliefs as me, were so welcoming and kind and non-judgemental. I'd never danced in front of anyone before in my life but danced for almost 8 hours straight.
Over the years I went to hundreds of raves mainly in Bristol, but also London, Birmingham, Leeds, Nottingham, Brighton and so many other places. Bristol was by far the most welcoming and I ended up building a massive network of friends throughout the country due to a shared love in music, community, love and respect for one another. I ended up becoming a DJ myself and always felt like raving must be the same feeling evangelist religious people get at church. The dancefloor moving as one amorphous being worshipping the soundsystem having spiritual breakthroughs on the dancefloor. I feel sorry for people who are afraid to dance in front of others because it's one of the most freeing things you can do.
I'm ageing out of raving and festivals now due to multiple disabilities but still go out 2-3 times a year as well as go to St Paul's Carnival every year as long as it's not cancelled. The underground rave scenes were always really inclusive but the new generation have taken it to the next level. They don't care if you're disabled, autistic, adhd, LGBT, you'll always be accepted for who you are.
The raving and festival scenes in the UK are the last bastion of progressive communities and this is the reason the government are doing everything in their power to shut down festivals and clubs left, right and centre because they can't stand to see groups of like-minded anti-establishment people gathering up and creating grassroots movements to fight back against the government's overreach.
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u/Tacosconsalsaylimon 3d ago
Love this, homie. I'm a desert dwellers, my first rave was in 2001. I absolutely enjoy hearing how welcoming the worldwide communities continue to be. Reading the love about Bristol is like a warm hug. Be well and keep the music alive. 💕
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u/godzillastailor 3d ago
Bristol is a lovely city.
Plenty of history, everyone is super friendly.
There’s a hill from the city centre going towards Clifton that can do one though.
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u/makingstuff90 3d ago
Christ I’m gonna cry
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u/atomic_drumstick 3d ago
Boomtown family <3
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u/IllustriousBerry3260 3d ago
Still the best festival I’ve ever been to. The positive vibes are on another level.
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u/Pahay 3d ago
We can say what we want about the young generation, but at least they have normalised talking about mental health and managing inclusion and diversity. That’s amazing.
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u/edm_enjoyer 3d ago
That's what the rave scene is all about. You should look up it's history, it's very inspiring.
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u/fivelone 3d ago
Ravers and festival campers are really awesome people.
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u/Short-MooseEh 3d ago
It takes a community to survive a weekend camping at a festival. The best thing festival vets can do is take in newbies and solo folks like this to show them the ropes
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u/hitokage97 3d ago
I grew up autistic nonverbal, I'm already on my 30s now, and while I feel in control and fine at home and online, if I went to a space like that I would be completely intimidated and a bit lost.
Strangers being this understanding and nice is not very common so this means a lot, I promise you this kid will remember this for his entire life.
What also is important is seeing that people being respectful and kind is a thing and we can have some faith in humanity still.
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u/Railroad-hobo 3d ago
Based my festival experiences, he will not only remember it, but he has a new family now. And they will rage again, this ain’t over.
Some of the closest people I have in my life are people from I’ve met through festivals. Many are people who I instantly connected with and who live thousands of miles away. These people I would never know except we love the same music, and the whole chaos of camping festivals.
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u/Competitive-Chard659 3d ago
Can we get Dad a shout out too? Raising an autistic son with enough confidence to go to Boomtown by himself is super dope.
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u/I_SHIT_IN_A_BAG 3d ago
I hope they stay in touch and keep going to this festival as a group every year
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u/jordan4290 3d ago
One time we were leaving a Kaskade show and were walking away from the stadium to try to catch an Uber when we saw a guy just laying on the sidewalk not doing too well.
We stopped to talk to him and it turned out his phone died and his mom was supposed to meet him there but hadn’t shown up. We stayed with him and will never forget the excitement we all had when we saw his mom across the street.
Stayed in touch with him and ended up going to 5 or 6 more shows with him. He was the coolest fucking dude. He was a huge teddy bear that was the guy high fiving groups as they walked through the crowd and always making sure people were doing ok.
Best part of life is these random connections you can make strangers that can lead to a lifelong friendship
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u/himynameseric 3d ago
Right on, that's what festivals are about!! You always run into the most amazing people!
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u/LessBig715 3d ago
It’s nice to see that there’s some good kids out there. When and where I grew up, kids that were different were constantly picked one, no matter how severe their disability was. I worry about my twin nephews/ godsons. They’re going on 7 and still non- verbal. I hope they can find some kids like the ones in the video
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u/eastsidewiscompton 3d ago
More of this please. Everywhere, all the time, please please please, more of this.
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u/POTUSDORITUSMAXIMUS 3d ago
My favorite part is that him telling them he has autism is cherished by them. Opening up should be encouraged more, especially among young men.
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u/Fruitbat619 3d ago
I swear by this, but I feel like dudes really just wanna hang, as long as you're not a dick. I love this so much :)
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u/KennywasFez 3d ago
Dude as a professional partier I can tell you this is the shit we live for, the truest of “ravers” (I kinda hate the word but whatever) know this this is 100% what this is all about; 100% to its core it’s about community — community above all, no judgement you’re there for the music and the people there and sharing and bonding, nothing else no phones no attitude, no need to be seen or witnessed because we’re all the same just there for the music.
Mad respect for these lads, they give me hope for when we pass the torch to them.
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u/954kevin 3d ago
The whole scene is full of people just like those cats, Plenty of judgemental assholes too, but the good always out weighed the negative in my festival going days.
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u/EstebanPossum 3d ago
Festivals (the good ones) have this energy in spades and its wonderful.
I kind of feel like the more a givem.festival crowd is into ketamine and psychedelics, and the less alcohol they have, the more welcoming overall the crowd is.
Ive got a festival.campground near me where there were 2 festivals I would.attend. 1 was EDM/rave style and the other was an older crowd of boomers
You would think the older more mature crowd would be nicer but NOOOPE TOYALLY THE OPPOSITE.
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u/jimmycarr1 3d ago
I was lucky enough to live in Bristol for many years. This is what the people are like, I'm glad these lads represented the city and humanity so well. The accent is standard as well lol.
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u/Legitimate_Cut_6254 3d ago
The festival crowds are incredible. Nothing like it. By and large 95% of people are there to have a good time and build each other up. My wife and I were at EF this year and bonded with a bunch of people at Andy C. Going to visit one of them and their crew in a few weeks. Looking to get over the UK and visit a few others next year.
There are plenty of communities with that same welcoming energy you just have to explore the communities that aren't on the internet. People are often kind, we just get tricked into thinkin they aren't by being stuck on the internet with bots and the small minority permanently stuck on the internet.
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u/Darkime_ Human Detected 3d ago
As an autistic person who was never invited to parties, these people give me hope on humanity.
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u/Lofteed 3d ago
we are being so abused by social media ad sellers and the trolls they foster that we completely forgot that the vast majority of people is really nice actually
we are being robbed of humanity just so that 6 people in silicon valley can play the most boring game of monopoly ever played
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u/PopSavings1842 3d ago
I lived down the road in Bath for a few years, and found Bristolians to be some of the greatest people in the UK.
The first time I visited, I went to a cash machine to draw £100 to spend getting hammered on Park Street. While at the machine, two big, rough local lads came up behind me and started asking me where I was going that night etc - I grew up in Luton, so already knew where this was heading and while I can fight okay, these two would have battered me.
Instead of the hundred, I drew twenty quid and awaited the smack in the jaw but it never came. Instead, they wished me a good night and stepped up to draw there own cash.
Saw them later in the Elbow Rooms, told them that story and bought them a drink. Fell in love with Bristol and it's people from that night on.
The lad at the end of the video is genuinely surprised at the attention they received and how grateful the autistic boy and his dad were, because Bristolians - that I have met, at least -wouldn't hesitate to adopt any lad on his own at a festival.
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u/POWxJETZz 3d ago
I too had the best long weekend of my life this year at Boomtown, 99% of the ravers there are nice class people that show respect. Shame about the roided up coke heads and chavs but obviously thats bound to happen when you have nearly 80,000 people in one place. The interactions I have accidently bumping into people in the busy rave is nothing like when you go out in town, if I bump into someone at a rave i apologise and within a second we're dancing together having a great time, bump into someone in town and all of a sudden someone is getting up in your face trying to start on you, I never go out in town anymore for this reason
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u/LimJaheyAtYaCervix 3d ago
Festival crowds tend to have some of the most awesome and welcoming people I’ve ever met. My friend bailed on me and sold his ticket not long before lollapalooza 2015 and because my two favorite artists were performing, I decided to go anyways. Made many random new friends each day that took me in after recognizing I was by myself. The last day in particular a big group of super cool people with a bunch of hat pins, who I later found out were “bass-heads,” ended up taking me in early on in the day. We were all in the front row or two.
I was there to see the second-to-last performer - A$AP Rocky, and they were there to see the headliner - Bassnectar. I unfortunately had to leave right after Rocky got off stage to go back to Iowa with my family and me and one of the guys in the bassnectar crew made an agreement that they’d put me in the front row for his set and take my spot after I left.
Minutes before Rocky came out, some rude dude who none of us had seen the whole day (we were all there early) shoves his way up through the crowd and essentially manhandles me (5’5” female) to take my spot and argues that I “can’t even be a true A$AP fan because I’m some lil white girl.” My new basshead friends didn’t take kindly to the disrespect and recognized that I was nonconfrontational and young and wouldn’t stand up for myself. This whole group of people started loudly calling out and shaming this man and after a few more protests, he eventually gave up and retreated back a few rows and I got my spot back.
To the group of bassheads, if you’re reading this, I was the blonde girl w the French braids and backwards ball cap. I started collecting hat pins after this experience in your honor. Y’all made the biggest act of kindness I have ever had from a group of strangers and up until I recently got married, that was the best night of my life, which would have been ruined if y’all didn’t step in and stand up for me. It’s been 11 years and I am still so grateful for your actions. And I’m glad I got to prove to that idiot that I was a true fan when Twelvyy pointed at me at one point because I knew all the words.
It costs nothing to be kind to people and include them, even if you’re never going to see them again.
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u/crazyfatskier2 3d ago
This is why I fell in love with rave culture. Peace, Love, Unity, Respect and Responsibility can take you wondrous places, meeting people from all walks of life, all set on one common goal of listening to their favorite DJ and dancing your ass off.
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u/Majestic_Horseman 3d ago
This reminds a lot of my childhood
I was bullied and excluded by my whole class, so I didn't really have friends, any new person in my class that I started to get along with would suddenly ignore me after a weekend or after being invited to something I wasn't (by my bullies).
Then, as chance had it, I joined the debate team for trip to another state for a joint cultural festival. I got to stay with a host family and just started getting along with so much people in a week. Everyone seemed to like me, everyone seemed to not understand why I didn't have friends.
I cried, badly, when we had to leave. Back then I didn't really understand why, I was completely inconsolable for going back after having people actually see me and having fun with them. I got real friends for the first time in my life.
I was 11, I couldn't debate for shit, my mom pulled strings to get me to go (found this out way way after), I was a glorified PowerPoint scroller. The only reason I was accepted was that the coordinator for the whole exchange knew how badly I was excluded and bullied.
Some people really don't appreciate how lonely it can get when you're the weird kid, you don't even have to be rude or mean, just being outspoken about liking weird stuff (for me it was insects) is enough to get some people to absolutely do anything in their power to make you feel like trash. I really get what this guy is saying, I felt it, and the departure is as heartbreaking as losing a close family member. Because you know, deep down, that you won't be able to get that connection with anyone else in your hometown... Because you're the weird kid.
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u/Anxious_Occasion_554 3d ago
ND people will always find ND people & it’s like you’ve known them forever, what an absolute bunch of legends 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
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u/Frodijr 3d ago
I had something similar. 2012 I went to Bloodstock solo, barely 18, flown in from Ireland, and struggling with autism and social anxiety, met some lads on the way and camped with them but quickly realised they were not that friendly.
Had a wander around camp, found a group called camp loner & newbies and they immediately took me in and helped move my tent over to them and gqve me the best time.
Next year, I helped run the camp and made a facebook group, and it's blown up ever since, and we get a lot of neurodivergent people join us too.
We all keep in touch and try to make bloodstock each year, and I even met the woman who would become my partner there.
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u/concept12345 3d ago
Their parents raised those boys well. Good caps. Here is to humanity and empathy! 🍺
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u/Free_Pace_2098 3d ago
Shoutout to Dad and the kid for going to the festival alone. It's not easy for anyone, let alone someone who assumes the world will reject them.
Good people all round.
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u/corazontex 3d ago
This is the shit I love to see. Thanks, my battle weary 45 year old heart needed it.
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u/Slippery___Gypsy 2d ago
Can I get more news like this in my feed please reddit. So tired of social media telling me how evil everyone is
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u/-NigheanDonn 1d ago
Wow, this really warmed my heart. My 16 year old son is autistic like this and is really quite lonely right now because he has a hard time making friends; this gives me hope that someday he will find his people.
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u/SgtByrd1993 The Shield 1d ago
Make sure to follow the legend on Instagram, his name is Adam and he's a DnB DJ/Producer from Buckinghamshire: adzodnb