The Lowdown Blog
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Are the roots of rave culture getting lost?It’s been around 40 years since the birth of modern day dance music culture. In that time it has been through a myriad of iterations and shifts. Today, the pervasive influence of social media seem...
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The 6 things that make a great DJIn an era where DJ culture has become oversaturated, it can be difficult to cut through. There are plenty of “good” DJs who are capable of mixing tracks together and creating a vibe.But there is a...
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How influencers distort rave cultureAs much as social media has its benefits, there are just as many pitfalls. One key aspect of digital media that has infiltrated raves is influencer culture.This includes everything from accounts r...
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Why DJ worshipping needs to endDJs have always been essential to rave culture. No DJ, no party. But the ever-growing focus on the DJs as the main event has become a problem.It’s been present since the advent of big stages and t...
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Festival camping: Basic vs boutiqueWhen it comes to the festival experience, one of the most divisive aspects is camping. Some people get on with it and accept that the rigours of camping are part of the whole deal. Meanwhile, othe...
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Five phrases you only hear at festivalsSpending time at festivals opens up a whole other world of fun, silliness, playful behaviour and all-out raving. They are hubs for social cohesion and creativity. Hanging out with your mates for a...
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Why money has always been vital to rave cultureIn today’s increasingly anti-capitalist world, it can be easy to dismiss the importance of money. However, financial support and stability are essential to the growth and survival of rave culture....
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Is club culture dying or is it just a blip?The news today is awash with stories of the increasing numbers of clubs that are closing. A death knell is being rung across the world, with widespread scaremongering about “the death of club cult...
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5 ways to rescue a friend that always goes too hardYou know what it’s like. You’ve been counting down to the festival of the summer for the best part of a year but, when you finally make it, there’s that one friend who goes overboard.Their anticip...
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Why it's time to end headliner cultureRaves and concerts have always been centred around the main act. Naturally, some artists become more popular than others and can pull a bigger crowd.Over time though, rave culture has become domin...
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How your dancefloor spot defines youThe dance floor is a fascinating space. To an outside observer, they may seem to be chaotic and disorganised. But, if you look a little deeper, you’ll notice that they often fall into similar geog...
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Why a festival is only as good as its crowdIf you’re a discerning festivalgoer, a key aspect of your enjoyment factor will be the crowd. For this very reason, many seasoned festival lovers will commit to one special event because of the cr...
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Are US and UK festivals that different?Partying in the UK and US has always had its differences, from the age restrictions on drinking to the general nature of Brits versus Americans. When it comes to festivals, the differences between...
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How festivals spark the deepest friendshipsFestival adventures have many positive benefits. The feeling of escape, being able to let loose, and even adopt a new identity or personality can all be supportive to your mental wellbeing.Being i...
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Why raving at sunrise is so epicIf you’ve ever managed to make it through the night and witness the epic sight of the sun rising, you’ll know how magical it is. You’ve spent all night at an outdoor party, festival dancefloor or ...
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How to ace partying in foreign citiesAs some of you prepare for a summer packed with party plans, including some overseas jaunts, it’s important to consider the nuance of partying in foreign locations. Every place has its own customs...
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Are there too many festivals?Festival season is about to kick off. With the sheer number of events happening over the summer, you’re spoilt for choice. Across the UK and the rest of the world, there are thousands of festivals...
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Why we need less hyped up DJ B2BsThe back-to-back is a long standing dynamic in DJ culture. Selectors often pair up in a way that makes sense, bringing their complementary styles and energy together in a powerful way.However, in ...
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Why AI will never fully conquer musicThe integration of AI could be the biggest transition humanity has ever gone through. For many people it’s sparking fear and anxiety, while others are implementing it with open arms.In the music i...
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4 reasons bigger raves aren't always betterSince the very beginning of rave culture in the UK, there have been huge events with tens of thousands of people in attendance. The original outdoor M25 raves for instance - like Energy, Biology, ...
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Why older ravers are vital to the sceneDespite rave culture being inherent in society for four decades now, there is still some stigma about older people going out and partying. They can be ridiculed or looked down on for simply wantin...
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How street DJs take raving back to its rootsOver the past few years several DJs have gone mobile and taken their craft to the streets in a variety of ways. From DJ On A Bike, Dom Whiting, to DJ AG on the streets of London, a generation of s...
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How money ruins rave cultureRave culture has always had a business element. Most events rely on some kind of financial structure, from selling tickets to booking DJs. Money is a crucial part of the process when organising pa...
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4 ways a marathon rave boosts your moodSometimes all you want to do is leave your troubles behind and party all weekend. The thing is, tapping out of life and going hell for leather into the after afters gets a bad rap these days.Howev...
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Why you never forget your first proper raveThere was a time when every single one of you attended your first rave. But, no matter how long ago that event was, you can be sure that you have never forgotten it.There’s something so special ab...
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5 life lessons you learn on the dance floorBeing at a rave is often compared to going to church. But the dance floor can also be a classroom, where important lessons can be learned.Getting stuck into the dance floor, immersing yourself in ...
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Why music strengthens social bondsSo many of you will relate to this; going to a festival or party in a far away place, or even your local club, and forming close bonds with people you’ve never met. Or perhaps deepening your conne...
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Why distractions lessen your rave experienceYou know how it can be sometimes. You’re knee deep in dance floor antics, when suddenly half of your crew vacate to go and smoke. That sudden shift in energy can have a negative impact on your exp...
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Why ravers need to understand consentAt raves and festivals there are many factors that can potentially compromise your personal boundaries. Being wedged into a busy dance floor with people being under the influence, strobes and ligh...
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Why talent still matters more than likes for DJsIn a world dominated by the influence of social media, there have been some unfortunate side effects. Until recently, DJs were booked on merit, talent and, to some extent, their popularity.Though ...
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Why Insta needs less drop videosIf you’re on social media and you follow any number of DJs from across a multitude of genres, you’ll be aware of the drop video. A phenomenon that has arisen post-pandemic, these clips show peak m...
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Why raving makes us feel freeEveryone should give raving a go, at least once in their life. One of the cornerstones of the culture, from day one, has been the sense of freedom people feel when they’re raving.From feeling less...
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How raving has always been about protestThere’s no doubt that raving has always had a protest element to it. It goes way back to the earliest days of clandestine gatherings, where those on the fringes of society would get together to pa...
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Where did the dance floor energy go?In the past, a key aspect of the rave experience was the collective energy generated by people letting loose on the dance floor. It was transformative, even transcendent at peak moments, sparking ...
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5 types of friends you make at ravesRave friends can be some of the best friends you’ll ever make. When you’ve been on the frontline of a marathon sesh together, you can create friends for life.They’ve seen you at your best and wors...
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How to level up your post-rave routineYou know how it is post-rave: you feel beaten up, spaced out and often in need of some TLC. Coming back to reality after a heavy night (or several nights) can be very harsh.For those of you who re...
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What it takes to nail a marathon DJ set in 5 steps (with Hernan Cattaneo)In today’s DJ culture, the extended set has almost become a novelty. It’s a rarity in an age where shorter sets, for shorter attention spans, are generally the norm. However, when DJ culture first...
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Why raving feels like home for the LGBTQ+ community (with Mandidextrous)With its diverse origins, rave culture was born out of inclusivity. As it has grown, the roots of the culture are sometimes forgotten, or not even known by today’s ravers.But there is still a prev...
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5 ways you can support aspiring artistsTrying to make your way in the music industry can be tough and thankless. In dance music it can be even harder, especially because the space for artists has become so saturated.Many of you will kn...
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How social media can be positive for rave culture (with A.N.I.)Social media is an often scorned aspect of modern life. For some, it is toxic and the source of social disconnection, and division.For others though, it is a sanctuary, which can foster community ...
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6 ingredients for the perfect DJ setEvery one of you will be able to recall at least one DJ set that was your most memorable and amazing experience. You’ll remember so many aspects of that set, and the memories will last forever.Som...
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5 steps new promoters need to get right (with PRS Foundation)Event promoting is risky business. Even the most seasoned promoters often run their events on a financial knife edge. Getting started as a promoter can be daunting and overwhelming.But there’s so ...
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5 ways you can create inclusive dance floors (with Glitterbox)When dance music culture first started to materialise, it was mostly driven by those on the fringes of society. People who felt unwelcome elsewhere created their own parties and pioneered this cul...
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Why vocals are so special in dance musicTo uninformed observers, dance music can often be dismissed as “repetitive beats”. Although not wrong, it’s a snub that devalues the music you love and places it in a lower tier than other types o...
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5 reasons why we love partying in clubsPartying indoors is the norm for so many of you in every part of the world. But it’s not always as celebrated as raving in the great outdoors.Yes, being surrounded by nature is incredibly powerful...
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How local venues are vital for rave culture (with Music Venue Trust)Local venues have been the backbone to rave culture, and wider music culture, for generations. Some of the world’s biggest stars got their first gig locally, and may not have ever reached stardom ...
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How to deal with dance floor overwhelmWhile raving is often a fun experience, there are times when it can feel a bit much. No matter whether you’re an experienced partygoer, or new to the scene, the dance floor can sometimes be an ove...
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Why queer rave spaces are so important (with Body Movements)At the beginning of dance music culture as we know it today, many of the earliest events were created by people on the margins of then-society. Gay and ethnic minorities, who didn’t have safe spac...
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Why we need more mystery in rave cultureIn today’s hyperconnected and digitally-driven world, you can watch moments from a long list of raves and festivals by jumping onto some well-known apps. You can see what your favourite DJ had for...
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How to show local scenes more loveRave culture has been global for a few decades now. Many of its most influential artists travel internationally every week. But at the grassroots level, there’s a huge variety of vital scenes in o...
