Like with any other social group or faction, there are also classifications inherent in subcultures. Within the raver subculture, one of the largest and perhaps the most prolific group is the candy ravers. Candy ravers are those who go to rave parties wearing bright-colored clothes and tons of colorful plastic bracelets and necklaces. Candy ravers are also referred to as candy kids, kandy/kandi ravers, or kandi kids, and they share the common practice of making beaded accessories and giving them out to strangers at rave parties.
Candy ravers are usually distinguished by their colorful offbeat clothing like cartoon t-shirts, day-glo phat pants with reflective strips, and glow-in-the-dark shirts and apparel. As mentioned, candy ravers usually wear tons of colorful plastic bead accessories referred to as kandi. According to some, this style of fashion can be traced back to the 1980’s United Kingdom club scene when day-glo attire, black light-reactive clothing, and smiley face apparel were all the rage.
Candy ravers believe that they live out the P.L.U.R.R. principles of the rave culture by giving out kandi to strangers and building new friendships within the rave community. Kandi trinkets play a big role in the identification of candy ravers. Some candy ravers even hold parties and gatherings for the main purpose of making kandi to be given out to friends and fellow ravers. Kandi serves two main functions for candy ravers, one is for the visual effect, and the other for the development and strengthening of the community.
Similar to the “visual rationale” of using glowsticks, the colorful accessories also highlight ravers’ movements while dancing and make them look more visually stimulating. This is why kandi beads in accessories are often arranged in ways that would make the contrasting colors jump out. Black light-reactive and glow-in-the-dark beads are also commonly used in making kandi.
Giving out kandi as gifts also functions to expand the networks of candy ravers. Swapping and giving out kandi are usually done by performing a “kandi kiss.” This involves connecting the hands and fingers and then sliding the bracelets from the giver’s arm on to the recipient’s.