Gloving
PropA form of dance using white gloves fitted with LED microlights on each fingertip. Focuses on intricate hand and finger movements to create light trails and optical illusions. Typically performed one-on-one ("lightshows") rather than on stage.
History
Emerged from 1990s-2000s rave culture, evolving from glow stick manipulation. Hermes is credited as an early pioneer (~2006), taping Inova microlights to his fingers at events. EmazingLights (founded 2010) became the first major dedicated gloving company. The community initially formed in Southern California.
Controversial in EDM culture — Insomniac Events banned gloving from all their events in 2010, citing drug culture connotations.
Getting started
- Buy a starter set of LED chips and white gloves — EmazingLights and GloFX are popular brands
- Practice basic movements: finger rolls, tutting (geometric hand shapes), liquid (smooth flowing)
- Watch lightshows from experienced glovers to learn patterns
- Record yourself — gloving looks very different from the performer's perspective vs. the viewer's
Styles
- Liquid — smooth, flowing arm and hand movements creating the illusion of water
- Digits — rapid finger movements and rolls
- Tutting — geometric shapes and angles inspired by Egyptian art
- Whips — sharp, fast movements creating streaks of light
- Conjuring — making lights appear and disappear
Where to buy
- The Rave Cave — LED Gloves — UK, stocks GloFX brand
Note: gloving is predominantly a US market. European options are limited. Major US brands (EmazingLights, Throwlights, LEDGloves, Futuristic Lights) ship internationally.