Peace. Love. Unity. Respect. Responsibility. PLURR. These are the five main values of rave culture here in the United States today. This is something that brings all of us joy to share with every new member of our ever-growing community. The way that we do this is with the gifting or trading of silly toys you would find as a children’s party favor or more commonly with colorful bracelets called ‘kandi’ that we exchange with a specific handshake that represents each of these values and shows that we are here. Connected together at this moment. You might think a pointless trinket or a ghastly bracelet with bright plastic beads that looks like your child could have made might seem silly to you, but these are memories to us. Some of the most precious ones. Festivals and raves become a safe place for some of us in the world who might have been labeled an ‘outsider’. The ‘weird’ kid you could say. But when we enter that venue, we get to be who we want to be. Wear the loudest, craziest, and most boisterous outfits that we wouldn’t dare to wear in the real world and have absolutely no fear of judgment. We get to play dress up again and be cowboys, aliens or just make up your own style as you go. Everything is completely up to you and how you feel beautiful. It’s accepted and loved by everyone because we get to see a small piece of your soul that not many civilians that pass you on the stress will and that is such a beautiful thing to me. When I found this culture, I was completely enamored and immersed myself completely. Creating colorful sparkly bras adorned with gems and flowy skirts to match. But as I went through the years and my style evolved, I found my style changed to a more UK style of tech-wear, more black and relaxed.

Rave culture originated in the UK out of an amazing tradition of free festivals and countercultural gatherings. These gatherings really shaped the rave scene. Groups of artists, musicians, and DJs such as Spiral Tribe and DiY came together to create something special. Scholars often mention the artistic partnership as a strong cultural mix, rooted in the ideas of personal freedom and community, which is cool to me. When I think of UK rave culture, I picture a beautiful countryside that contrasts with the struggles of city life. The UK rave movement started with free music festivals, the first one happening way back on September 19, 1970, in Shepton Mallet (Gaia, 2023). I also find the story of Frestonia inspiring, it was a squatted area in London that people claimed as their own, calling it the Free and Independent Republic of Frestonia (O’Grady, 2015). The folks of Frestonia drew ideas from the concept of “Temporary Autonomous Zones” and the adventurous spirit of 18th-century “Pirate Utopian” communities that lived outside the law (Bey, 2003). The ideas they followed were all about personal freedom and owning resources as a community, which really speaks to me. Kennith DiMaggio in his essay on the book “Naked lunch” by William Burroughs draws connections between this culture and Burroughs characters who break the rules and are seen as fighters against unfair values rather than just rebels against governments (DiMaggio, 2011). During the Second Summer of Love in the UK, illegal acid house parties popped up, filled with the irresistible sounds of Roland 303 synthesizers (Gaia, G. 2023). These parties provided an escape from social pressures and feelings of alienation for many (O’Grady, A. (2015). Unlike the US rave scene, which emphasizes Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect (PLUR), UK and European raves are more organic in their emphasis of community and mutual respect (Tilex05, 2013). UK ravers prefer underground venues and unlicensed outdoor spaces, in contrast to the commercial, highly produced raves in the US. This keeps their gatherings raw and authentic. You can really see the difference in styles too. UK ravers tend to dress more practically, avoiding the flashy accessories like the colorful “kandi” bracelets that are common in American raves. In the UK and Europe there is a more carefree attitude towards drug use. In particular there seems to be less focus on strict harm reduction guidelines, which in my opinion is complicated especially given the ever increasing number of deaths due to fentanyl overdoses. Overall, I feel that the UK rave scene is a vibrant mix of resistance and community, a joyful celebration of shared ideals that stem from its rich history in free festivals and counterculture, showing how music and gatherings can create real connections and a sense of liberation in our world today.

Rave culture is something that saved my life. I was lost for so long, stuck in a dead-end job and an abusive relationship, just trying to find a place where I could be comfortable in my own skin. Where I could be accepted and loved for who I am. Learning the values of PLURR, creating lifelong friendships through kandi and authentic self-expression no matter how crazy or colorful have helped form who I am today.  In the U.S., raves are often large professional productions, complete with elaborate light shows, massive stages, and a focus on spectacle. I feel so incredibly fortunate for the experience of learning more about the roots of the culture we have created here that was adopted from our family across the pond. U.K. raves have retained an emphasis on resistance and countercultural values that were absorbed by the tradition of free festivals and underground gatherings (O’Grady, 2015). U.K. raves are often held in more raw, unlicensed spaces such as abandoned warehouses or rural locations and away from mainstream attention. There may not be flashy outfits or large productions, but one thing that reigns true for all. We are here for our community and the ability to express personal freedom to be who we are. Both cultures share a love for music and connection, the approaches highlight broader cultural differences. These differences in approach highlight how music and gatherings can serve as a reflection of cultural attitudes. Both scenes, however, demonstrate the power of music to unite people, offering a sense of belonging and freedom that transcends cultural boundaries.

I have loved and appreciated observing the historical trajectory and growth of rave culture from its origins in the UK to current raves and festivals in the United States. Raves’ philosophical underpinnings originated in counter-cultural communities of the 70s dedicated to pursuing ideas of individualism and autonomy from the state (Gia, G. 2023). I’ve also personally identified with the fierce independence embodied in these values. The rave ideals of Peace Love Unity Respect and Responsibility (PLURR) grew directly from some of the ideas and ideologies of the 70’s free movement (O’Grady, A. 2015). The acceptance of individuality empowered me in my escape from an abusive relationship. It was through experiencing art, music and community in these amazing festivals that I was able to flourish and see how the world could be. Could be, if we were able to accept, respect and love each other every day in normal settings and daily life, not just when we’re given permission at a glitzy, amazing and ultimately transient gathering of souls. I’m grateful to have found rave culture, and the gift it gave me, the freedom I needed to release my inner self and flourish.

References

Gaia, G. (2023). Kaos, kilowatt and ketamine: A cultural history of the free tekno movement. Dancecult: Journal of Electronic Dance Music Culture, 15(1). https://doi.org/10.12801/1947-5403.2023.15.01.07

O’Grady, A. (2015). Dancing outdoors: DiY ethics and democratised practices of well-being on the UK alternative festival circuit. Dancecult: Journal of Electronic Dance Music Culture, 7(1), 76-96. https://doi.org/10.12801/1947-5403.2015.07.01.04

Bey, H. (2003). TAZ: The temporary autonomous zone—Ontological anarchy, poetic terrorism (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Autonomedia.

DiMaggio, K. (2011). Seceding from the narrative: How the criminal underworlds in William Burroughs’ Naked Lunch map out a non-linear narrative through the creation of “temporary autonomous zones.” The International Journal of the Book, 8(1), 11. https://doi.org/10.18848/1447-9516/CGP/v08i01/36844

Tilex05. (2013, January 2). What are the main differences between European and American raves? Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskEurope/comments/1aj41u9/what_are_the_main_differences_between_european/