Why EDM hates Donald Trump

Highlight of this year's Ultra Music Festival? It had to be The Chainsmokers, known for dumb-as-fuck viral hit '#SELFIE', using their headline slot on the Ultra Worldwide stage to say, "Do not support Donald Trump". The statement was met with a roar of support from a sea of ravers. Coming in a close second that weekend was Hardwell collaborator MAKJ, who incited a "Fuck Donald Trump" chant during his set on the Main Stage. Although Pendulum played their first live show for four years and there was more 'underground' dance music on offer at the festival than ever before, it felt like this bristling anti-Trump feeling was the most significant thing that went down in Miami.

Given their penchant for big room beats, Spring Break-style hedonism and fluro fashion, you'd be forgiven for thinking that EDM (kandi) ravers and the DJs who guide them are as apathetic as they come. But with the US election looming and the once absurd prospect of a Trump victory growing realer by the day, it seems like the EDM legion has found its political voice.

The children of PLUR (the age-old American rave values of peace, love, unity and respect) have sided with Democrat nominee Bernie Sanders and his left-leaning beliefs, which include fighting inequality, acting on climate change and making sure everyone gets paid a decent, living wage. And they've been noisy about it. Diplo's lent his 2013 anthem 'Revolution' to Sanders' campaign, sharing the news via Instagram by imploring, "Make sure u go vote in the primaries". PLUR guru and long-serving US DJ Tommie Sunshine is also a very vocal supporter of Sanders and has played a fundraiser for the Democrat in New York. Steve Aoki's co-signed a 'Bernie Sanders rave' and elsewhere online, idealistic ravers have started petitions to get the likes of Bassnectar to play Sanders benefit parties.

It's easy to see why Sanders is the kandi candidate. He chimes with the inclusive nature of EDM (and dance music in general) and is a people's champion compared to Donald Trump, who represents America's anti-abortion, anti-immigration, gun-loving 'n god-fearing right wing, and seriously nicer than Democrat rival Hilary Clinton, who only just decided she was on board with LGBTI rights, voted in favour of the Iraq war and is very much a part of the establishment in the US (read: same old, same old).

EDM ravers, the ones chanting "Fuck Trump", are basically between the age of 18 and 30, which correlates with Bernie Sanders’ greatest support demographic, which lies in voters aged under 30. 1.5 million of them have chosen him in the primaries and caucuses so far and according to this report from March, 71 per cent of 18-30 year olds opted for Sanders instead of Hillary Clinton. Sanders' popularity among the youth vote is a trend that's swept the US, with the national media picking up on it and polls, like Rock The Vote, marking him out as a runaway favorite for both male and female millennials.

Although the kids are behind him, Bernie Sanders may not actually make it out of the Democratic primaries against the political might of Clinton. And America’s 'democratic' ways also include things like 'super-delegates' and party conventions that turn the voting process into a maze of political deals and skullduggery that could sink the socialist’s chances. But dance music's always been the preserve of idealists (was it something we took?!) and support for Sanders just proves that the kandi kids are alright.

Marcus Dowling is a freelance journalist and regular contributor to Mixmag. Follow him on Twitter

Patch Keyes is a freelance illustrator and regular contributor to Mixmag. Follow him on Twitter