Movies

Baby raves?! There was just one in L.A. and it was weird and wild with glow sticks galore

BBG News

As a dedicated cinephile, I’ve got my fair share of concert experiences under my belt – from heavy metal shows that had me banging my head to punk music festivals where I often found myself catching some Zs amidst the chaos. But on Sunday, I ventured into uncharted territory: my very first baby rave!

Natalie, who is almost two years old and has pigtails, was held by her father Alvin Briones, 36. They were waiting in line at the Roxy Theatre in West Hollywood to meet Lenny Pearce, the creator of Natalie’s favorite song “The Wheels on the Bus”. As people passed by, Natalie excitedly greeted them with a cheerful “Hi!

Instead of the conventional lullaby that many parents softly sing while rocking and tapping, Pearce’s performance pulses with bass that could vibrate ribcages. Natalie appreciates it, as does her mom, Alondra Briones, who plays the techno reinterpretation during her commutes to work, even without Natalie in the car.

Alondra, aged 28 from Compton, commented that it was going to be a mood lifter,” she said, as they all headed into the theater with other guardians for a lively after-lunch event with their children.

In a surprising twist within electronic music, Pearce’s techno reinterpretations of traditional children’s tunes have sparked a new trend — toddler techno. This unique blend fuses the innocently sugary verses of songs such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” with the pulsating rhythms typically heard at late-night warehouse gatherings.

An unusual musical combo brings Sandra Mikhail and her 6-year-old daughter, Mila, closer together at Pearce’s dance event. Both adorned in shades of fuchsia, the mother-daughter twosome attended to celebrate Mila’s advancement from kindergarten. In their Riverside residence, Pearce’s tunes are constantly playing.

Kids shriek with joy during the infant rave at The Roxy, while Kuma, a character associated with Lenny Pearce, pumps up the audience.

Sandra, aged 38, stated, “I’m comfortable with children’s tunes now.” With the rhythm and Pearce’s electronic influence, it transforms the music into something I can enjoy for extended periods.

For over a year now, Pearce has been organizing popular dance events, daringly titled “baby raves” – initially in his home country Australia, and then on the initial stage of his U.S. tour, which ended with a double event at The Roxy on June 29th.

During the time when most parents are familiar with – after their children have taken a nap and just before the fuss of the evening sets in – Pearce danced gracefully, gave energetic high-fives to kids, and cheerfully waved at infants being lifted up.

For about three and a half decades, this individual has predominantly been engaged in entertainment. More than ten years back, he was dancing in music videos as part of the Australian boy band, Justice Crew. Currently, he’s deeply immersed in his fatherhood phase. His current dance partner is a big balloon spider named Incy Wincy.

In the video interview from New York, Pearce remarked, “On stage, I’m just being a father figure.” He added, “I’m willing to look foolish to bring laughter and joy to children.

From boy band to toddler techno

As a devoted movie enthusiast, it felt as though my path towards children’s entertainment was written in the stars. After all, my identical twin brother has become quite renowned as one of the most recognized purple characters on kids’ television (Barney takes the crown, naturally).

As the elder twin by mere minutes, I found myself stepping into the vibrant world of children’s entertainment in 2021, joining the illustrious cast of “The Wiggles” as the Purple Wiggle. My younger brother has been steadfastly committed to this endeavor for quite some time, and it’s a joy to see his dedication culminate into such success now.

At The Roxy, several parents and caretakers shared that they stumbled upon Pearce via The Purple Wiggle. Other individuals became aware of him through social media platforms: He boasts over 2 million followers on TikTok and surpasses 1 million followers on Instagram.

Previously, the Pearce brothers were part of the dance group Justice Crew, which triumphed in “Australia’s Got Talent” in 2010. For several years, their boy band seemed destined for success, with the ambition to crack the U.S. market – an aspiration that remained unfulfilled.

Pearce noted that most boy bands have a limited period of fame. In 2016, he decided to leave Justice Crew to concentrate on disc jockeying and music production. However, the shift from boy band to child-oriented techno didn’t occur immediately. For some time, he held down a job as a salesperson at an Australian electronics store.

He replied, “They asked if I was part of Justice Crew,” to which he responded, “Indeed, and would you like this lens with your camera?”

OR

He said, “People wondered if I was from Justice Crew,” to which he answered, “Yes. By the way, would you like this lens for your camera as well?

In 2022, fatherhood to little Mila sparked a creative shift in Pearce. He began reworking children’s tunes into energetic dance tracks and filmed himself grooving with her to the music. Before long, other parents joined in, sharing videos of their kids boogying to his tracks as well. This way, social media serves as a platform where concepts evolve until they resonate with people.

In March, Pearce released his first solo album aptly titled, “Toddler Techno.”

Throughout his journey, he envisioned performing these tunes at mini dance parties. As far as today’s children and their parental generation of millennials are concerned, this is quite plausible, according to Pearce. In fact, mock DJ booths are just as frequently found in toy stores alongside construction vehicles.

During autumn, Pearce along with his baby band will make their way back to the United States, and indeed, to Los Angeles, for a 30-city tour. As a solo performer, he has achieved something he couldn’t do as part of a group – he has gained traction with audiences in the U.S. and across the globe.

Isn’t it amusing?” remarked Pearce. “I’ve often felt as if I had something significant to share, yet seldom found an audience.

But are techno parties OK for kids?

According to Ambrus Deak, program manager of music production at the Los Angeles Film School, the origins of techno music have always been countercultural, whether they’re traced back to Detroit or Berlin, depending on who you ask.

“It was exploratory,” said Deak, a longtime DJ who went by DJ AMB, about techno.

Toddler-friendly techno is a reimagined, child-safe version of a bold music genre that young children are exploring. Although Deak might find it awkward to participate in a toddler’s dance party (“It would be quite embarrassing for me,” he explained), he acknowledges its allure.

“I can definitely see a lot of people being into it,” said Deak, 48.

While some people are open to the concept of bringing children to a daytime rave featuring a face-painting booth, there are still parents who question whether it’s suitable for them to be exposed to the culture associated with drug use at such events, as evidenced by discussions on Pearce’s social media platforms.

Pearce commented, “Many might question, ‘Is this the lesson we wish to instill in our children?’ However, upon closer inspection, aren’t these simply children wielding glow sticks?

While he acknowledges the issues, it’s important to note that children are typically unaware of the darker aspects of raves unless explicitly told. However, his small-scale raves are not intended to delve into those complexities.

A post shared by LENNY PEARCE (@lenjpearce)

According to some specialists, an appropriate amount of techno music and baby rave events could potentially offer advantages for both children and their parents.

Jenna Marcovitz, director of the UCLA Health Music Therapy program, emphasized that not only children’s wellbeing but also parents’ emotions play a significant role. She suggested that music, particularly techno, can stimulate oxytocin production and increase endorphins, leading to feelings of joy and promoting playfulness. This, in turn, aids brain development, emotional regulation, and strengthens the bond between parent and child.

At the Roxy, one man vigorously pumped his fist to the beat of the music.

He exclaimed to the kid he was holding, ‘Pump your fists just like this!’ And both their fists – small and large – moved swiftly through the air.

How to keep it safe and sane

I firmly believe that every experience, including baby raves, should be savored in a balanced manner. The rhythmic tunes, massive bouncy objects thrown about, and bursts of misty fog could potentially overwhelm young children if taken excessively.

During the approximately one-hour performance, the music tends to be quite loud, typically ranging from 85 to 90 decibels according to Pearce. To ensure a comfortable experience for young audiences, Marcovitz emphasizes the importance of having a sensory support plan in place. He advises using headphones with a noise reduction rating of at least 20 to 30 decibels, such as these or these. Additionally, preparing your child by hosting dance parties at home can help them get accustomed to the experience.

While immersed in the pulsating energy of the rave, be aware of signs of overstimulation that may manifest uniquely among each child. Some might retreat into themselves, while others could exhibit aggressive behavior reminiscent of a mosh pit. During our visit to the Roxy show, one toddler decided to picnic, consuming half a bag of Goldfish crackers and scattering the remainder across the floor. Another young attendee momentarily vanished from my sight, causing a brief moment of panic before being safely retrieved by a kind stranger.

“For any child, I would recommend breaks every 30 minutes,” said Marcovitz. “Step outside.”

Since techno excites both children and adults, it’s crucial to assist a child in calming their nervous system following the performance.

“Lots of cuddles, silence and hugs,” said Marcovitz.

Pearce often begins his parties quite late, which means that the dance party preceding the rave might exhaust children before he performs on stage.

As a movie enthusiast myself, I can tell you that last weekend, my family (Ashley, Todd, and our three-year-old son, Oliver) embarked on an exciting journey from our home in Santa Clarita to the iconic Roxy Theater. Our objective? To give Oliver the incredible opportunity to meet his favorite entertainer, Pearce, before the show.

To make this dream a reality, we splurged on some VIP tickets, priced at $120. These special passes granted us not only premium seating but also an exclusive chance for Oliver to greet Pearce’s dancing companion, Kuma – a charming character dressed in a vibrant turquoise monkey suit!

Looking ahead, if you’re planning on catching Pearce’s upcoming show at the Novo in downtown Los Angeles on November 23rd, be prepared to part with anywhere from $48 to $195. Keep in mind that these prices include all fees and taxes, so you can enjoy the experience without any unexpected surprises!

Overall, Oliver loved it — until he didn’t.

“[The] meltdown happened around 1:40 so we left then,” said Ashley, 40.

They had big post-rave plans to refuel with french fries. But Oliver was tired.

And, most importantly?

“Our backs hurt,” said Ashley.

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2025-07-03 13:33

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