The Lowdown Blog
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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...
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5 ways raving is better in the daytimePartying at night in a dark club is par for the course for many of you. But daytime raving can often be way more enjoyable, for many reasons.Being outdoors in the elements, soaking up the sun and ...
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Why dancing can transform your mood (with Movement Is Medicine)Dancing is a cornerstone of rave culture. Moving your body to music, letting loose and expressing yourself to the rhythm of the beats, is cathartic.@emma.the.alchemist is the founder of @movementi...
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How visuals intensify the rave experienceVisuals have become a controversial aspect of rave culture. Several of the world’s most prominent outfits have commissioned the creation of slick, computer-generated visuals that are part of their...
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Why 90s tunes are timelessly uplifting (with Belters4U)Whether you grew up in the nineties, or you were born after that golden era, there’s a distinct feeling in the music that still resonates with many of you today. So many 90s bangers find their way...
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Why we should honour rave historyAs each new generation appears, it can be easy to lose sight of the roots of rave culture. The history of contemporary club culture is well documented, but not always fully represented.Rave was on...
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How partying in nature can be transformative (with Elif)Partying in nature takes us right back to our roots. Before club venues became inherent to our social activity, humans would dance and celebrate life in the great outdoors.Highly-regarded selector...
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Why you get hooked on that one festivalEvery summer the festival season seems to increase in size, with new events and new attendees joining the annual shenanigans. For many of you, there will be that one special festival that you conn...
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How raves are playgrounds for finding your identity (with Samantha Togni)Raves are widely acknowledged to be spaces where you can express yourself freely. In doing so, it’s possible to peel back layers of societal conditioning and embrace who you truly are.@samantha.to...
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The power of magical experiences at festivals (with Secret Garden Party)Entering the site of some of the most imaginative festivals is like being transported into an enchanted fantasy land. For a few days your reality shifts to a different mode, where a day-long sesh ...
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5 phrases you'll always hear ravers sayingAcross the world, millions of people rave week in, week out. From South America to the outback in Australia, ravers unite and dance til dawn religiously.But it’s not just music, dancing, connectio...
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Why you shouldn't be cool in the raveAs rave culture has shifted into the mainstream, and social media has played more of a role in dictating how people look and behave, the dance floor can sometimes be a little too “cool” for its ow...
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How to not be a nuisance in the DJ booth (with Kyle Geiger)The DJ booth is typically an exclusive part of a rave space, limited to the DJ, club staff and anyone who has a pass. If you manage to gain access it can feel like you’ve won the lottery.@kylegeig...
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5 questions to ask yourself before the aftersAfter parties come hand in hand with raves. For some, they can be even more enjoyable than the club experience. From full-on house parties, to just a handful of mates jamming on the sofa til sun...
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5 secrets of the party pro lifestyle (with Manda Moor)Travelling can take its toll on your mind and body. Suffering from sleep deprivation and hectic plane travel, layered with loneliness and post-party depression, is tough.With releases on @jamiejon...
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4 of the best places to dig for musicFor the last few years vinyl sales have been rising steadily. From seasoned record collectors to those who are new to it, people around the world have been embracing the format and keeping record ...
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How to spot functioning addiction (with Bushwacka)In rave culture there can often be a lot of addictive behaviour that goes unchecked or unseen. The (literal) blurred lines between excessive behaviour versus addiction can make it difficult to ide...
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Essential packing list for long festivals.Festival season is approaching. Whether you’re new to it or been doing it for years, it’s always a compromise on comfort on some level. There are a few key items you can add to your festival packing list that can make the world of difference to your experience, for little cost. Here are our favourites.
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5 ways to save money when you're ravingIt’s tough times for a lot of us. Prices are going up everywhere, but wages don’t seem to be catching up. This means less disposable income, and less opportunities to go out and make the most of l...
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Why progressive house is still alive and kicking (with Super Progressive)Since it emerged in the 90s, progressive house has impacted the lives of countless people around the world. Heroes like Hernan Cattaneo, Nick Warren, Sasha, John Digweed and many more have been ad...
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Why everyone should rave at least onceDespite rave culture going mainstream, going out to party the night (or day) away still has a stigma attached. For some, it may be something they never actually experience in their lifetime.But th...
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Why you should stop glamourising rave historyNostalgia is particularly present in rave culture. The 80s and 90s are often lauded by those who were there (and some who weren’t), and social media is awash with old school clips. Each clip will ...
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How collaboration enriches rave culture (with Louisahhh)Without collaboration, rave culture would not have flourished as it has over the last few decades. From teams of event organisers finding empty warehouses to host huge illegal raves, to everyday p...
