Electric Forest 2025 brought back one of its quirkiest and most beloved communal traditions — the spontaneous “Carl!” chants echoing through campgrounds and stages. Originally sparked by a viral meme on Reddit’s r/electricforest, the call quickly swept through attendees, creating a shared moment of joyous camaraderie and lighthearted mystery across the festival grounds.
The Origins of “Carl”
This tradition traces back to the 2008 Rothbury Festival, Electric Forest’s precursor, where a playful shoutout—“Where’s Carl?”—was born after a festival-goer named Chris C. went off the grid for a while. What started as a searching chant among friends evolved into an all-out festival inside joke that symbolized community spirit and the whimsical vibe that defines the event.
A Viral Revival in 2025
Fast forward to 2025, the Carl chant experienced a massive resurgence, fueled by a Reddit photo meme that set fire to the Electric Forest online community. Attendees embraced it as a rallying call blending nostalgia and new energy, spawning spontaneous Carl shout-outs everywhere—from late-night campground hangouts to mid-set crowds.
Festival-goers describe it as part rallying cry, part inside joke, weaving an invisible thread of connection through the diverse, pulsing festival grounds. This revival demonstrates Electric Forest’s enduring ability to generate meaningful culture beyond sets and installations: unique moments of surprise and universal fun.
Keep Your Ears Open
As the 2025 festival unfolded, “Carl!” chants became a defining soundtrack of community. Whether you’re a Forest veteran or fresh to the scene, the next time you hear a sudden call of “Carl!” don’t hesitate—join the chorus and become part of festival folklore in real time.
For full background and the meme that reignited the craze, check out the r/electricforest thread that revived this iconic chant.
Source: r/electricforest