Rave

A large dance party built around electronic music, typically lasting through the night, with DJs playing genres such as house, techno, hardcore, jungle and trance. The modern rave scene took shape in the UK in the late 1980s, inspired by Chicago house, Detroit techno and Ibiza’s club culture. During the 1988–89 “Second Summer of Love,” thousands of people gathered at illegal warehouse parties and outdoor events in fields near the M25 motorway. Raves became known for their sense of collective euphoria and their “PLUR” ethos (peace, love, unity, respect), as well as their association with drugs such as ecstasy. The UK government restricted unlicensed events with the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which notably targeted gatherings playing music with “repetitive beats.” The culture spread worldwide and evolved into today’s licensed club nights and large-scale EDM festivals.