4 reasons bigger raves aren't always better

Since 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, and Sunrise - set the bar for the acid house revolution.

All the way up to today, there are parties that are held in huge venues with lots of opportunities to lose yourself in the experience. But bigger isn’t always better, and here are four reasons why…

LESS INTIMACY
One of the great things about a smaller rave is the opportunity to feel more connected to the environment, the DJ and the people around you. At a mega rave, the atmosphere can feel disconnected, impersonal and less intimate because of the sheer number of people in attendance.

SOUND QUALITY IS AFFECTED
Despite the efforts of the sound technicians and the venue, or festival, owners, often the sound at bigger events will be lacking in impact. It can be difficult to generate sound in a huge space without losing its impact, meaning there’s less connection to the music itself.

THEY CAN BE OVERWHELMING
For some of you, going to raves where there are 10,000+ people can be overwhelming. Just the physical experience itself can be challenging - navigating your way through big crowds, potentially getting pushed and shoved, maybe getting lost… it can be all too much.

THEY CAN LOSE SIGHT OF WHAT’S IMPORTANT
Big raves usually need big names to sell tickets and fill their venues. This means there’s less opportunities for emerging acts to get their chance to shine. The dominance of large-scale raves makes it harder for smaller acts and events to break through.