No Kandi allowed for this weekend's Mad Decent Block Party in Toronto

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Since the reported two deaths and 20 hospitalizations at the Mad Decent Block Party (MDBP) on August 1st in Columbia, MD, Diplo and the Mad Decent crew have taken more stringent measures to avoid calamity at the MDBP in Toronto this Saturday. Here are some of the items that are considered prohibited on the MDBP FAQ page for the Toronto show: 

  • NO Masks
  • NO Massagers
  • NO LED Gloves or LED Microlights used for Light Shows
  • NO Pacifiers
  • NO Eyedrops
  • NO Stuffed Animals or Dolls (Including Plush Backpacks)
  • NO Kandi Bracelets or Kandi Necklaces
  • No Refillable Water Bladders

To read the full list, click here.

Mad Decent is now following an anti-Kandi trend that was started by HARD when they instituted a similar "restricted items" list for Hard Summer earlier this month. Diplo thinks these new rules will "keep people safe": 

But if you ask Derek Staples, author of the article "Why MDMA is Destroying EDM", he thinks it's all about controlling the "concert's image":  (Source: New York Times)

“It’s almost like they want to take the fun out of it,” Mr. Staples said. “Like they’re worried about people taking pictures of lots of kids with binkies and pacifiers in their mouth — like they’re trying to control the concert’s image.”

Pasquale Rotella, the head of Insomniac and EDC Las Vegas, defended kandi: (Source: YourEDM)

“One of my favorite aspects of dance music culture is the freedom of self-expression. Since the early days, dance culture has always been a non-judgmental environment where you could express your individuality through art, music and positive energy. It’s been especially amazing to see how the making and trading of kandi has evolved over the years. Kandi started in Southern California, and is now a tradition embraced by ravers all over the world! I love that these beaded works of art create a special bond between the giver and recipient when traded. Although I don’t wear kandi regularly, I save all of the pieces I’ve been gifted by Headliners and remember the stories behind each one. Whether you’re from SoCal or Singapore, wear your kandi proudly and continue to spread the good vibes!”

What do you think? As promoters try to find ways to mitigate injury and deaths at electronic dance music events, the new policies by the Mad Decent Block Parties and HARD might be the beginning of a wider trend. 

If you want to buy tickets to Toronto's Mad Decent Block Party this Saturday featuring Diplo, Chance The Rapper, Grandtheft, Flosstradamus, Zeds Dead and more, click here.