Why we should honour rave history

As 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 once a revolutionary and inclusive counter culture that has now become largely mainstream and part of everyday life for many of us. As a result, its origins are sometimes forgotten. Here’s why we should honour rave history…

A REMINDER OF WHAT IT’S ALL ABOUT
Raving has been around so long that it has been normalised, and lost some of its non-conformist aspects. But looking at its history can remind us of its power to affect social change, and how we challenge societal norms.

HONOUR ITS PIONEERS
Many pioneers of rave culture were outliers who embraced their uniqueness to create spaces that were safe for other “freaks and weirdos” to congregate in safety. This is a key reference point for what raves should be doing today.

HISTORY PRESENTS KEY LESSONS
By honouring and respecting the history of raves, we can observe its key lessons. Where did things go wrong? What worked and what didn’t? By taking heed of what’s happened in the past, we can make conscious, positive progress today.

FOUNDATIONAL PHILOSOPHIES
In the beginning there was Jack, and Jack had a groove. For many of those who were there at the beginning, it really was as simple as the founding principles: Peace, Love, Unity, Respect… and that groove of all grooves.