The build-up towards 1991 when the rave generation peaked no one thought it could get any better. From 1987 – 1991 the scene was full to the brim of real people enjoying life on the dancefloor.

Maybe you’re thinking about the 60s and 70s which is fair enough, because, those were amazing times too. The Peace, Love and Unity in the late 80s and early 90s lasted a few years which was something ultra special.

The whole rave scene was built from past genres which thrived to pack warehouses, aircraft hangers and fields across the UK. Nightclubs soon caught on and became super busy too.

The Rave Generation & The Push to Make It Last

Nothing lasts forever, however, Acid House and Raves grew in such popularity it was hard to figure out the direction of EDM. The push to make it last came naturally because so many people loved it so much.

It was by pure luck that Chicago and New York House expanded into Ibiza which later turned into Acid House. The Sheer Scale and feeling that surrounded the rave generation was a Peace, Love and Unity story.

Ibiza is still the party island of the world. It’s hard to believe such an existence back in 1987-1991 can remain firmly attached to the rise of the rave generation and also how Ibiza is today.

Those still raving today can lay down praise to the rave generation and how it changed the direction of EDM. There is no other way to describe it other than a miracle.

The United Kingdom 1987

‘Shoom’ was held on December 5, 1987, in a fitness centre on Southwark Street, South London.

It was founded by Danny Rampling, a DJ who now claims fame all over the world. He took house music to new levels in the UK during his Shoom days.

Danny would play a mixture of Chicago house Balearic and Detroit Techno at the beginning, however, things were about to change.

Electronic Music Evolved and Rave was Born

Has time went by electronic music crossed into the mainstream as the heavier-sounding Rave style became popular,

The rise of the music was soon to be labelled ‘Acid House’ by the popular press and known subsequently as rave culture. Don’t get mixed up with the two being separate.

Without Acid House there wouldn’t be rave and vice versa. It was a miracle how the two made such an explosive impact on EDM. The true powers of Peace, Love and Unity out of Respect were born.

Rave Changed Violence Into Friendship

Rave made it possible to party all night without a care in the world. Football hooligans became ravers and people that were commonly in trouble became friends.

The Rave scene calmed down the trouble of the past and nurtured those that cared in a new light. The whole rave scene is pretty much fully available on YouTube where every single tune can be heard.

It’s a shame Raves were also known as troublesome by the press, although I agree on some terms that by the time 1994 came along when the scene split, things became darker.

The True Meaning Of Peace, Love and Unity & The Rave Generation

The true meaning of Peace, Love and Unity was reflected when we were all together doing something we all loved. Conversations turned into favourite DJs, PAs and MCs.

Ravers became known as cheesy quavers, a British term for a raver, in the sense of a devotee of post-1980s dance culture. Who would have thought it would grow into something so big?

Ravers were way out there on the dancefloor as one big family, one of Peace, Love and Unity.

Conversations about what we called the outside world crossed over to how we felt. Yes, at times there were recreational drugs involved, however, this was not always the case.

Ravers knew that making new friends would open up their network. The more friends made the more people to have fun with.

The more (Peace Love Unity & Respect) that was created the better your life became. This is commonly known as PLUR. A conversation sometimes became bizarre, however, it was great fun being involved.

The Rave Generation of 1991

The rave generation soon saw us reach 1991 a year of hardcore as we know it. DJs experimented with breakbeats and vocals to increase adrenalin on the dancefloor.

The whole rave seen was controlled by record labels and new tunes coming out. New conversations were born as to who played what, where and when and how much impact it had on the night.

The whole meaning of the rave generation was to be free and demonstrate as much effort as possible on the dance floor. No one worried about funny dance moves, dress sense or face paints.

Free The Mind – Another Rave Experience

Everything had a reason to free the mind and enjoy the night as much as possible.

The rave culture in 1991 derived from a legacy that was born out of pure luck. That luck was the coming together of various genres and becoming one huge mega exam for ravers to pass on the dancefloor.

That mega exam was to dance through the journey of hardcore and much more.

The whole point of being a part of the 1991 rave scene was just in case you missed something amazing. Amazing things happened all the time at raves which made it so much fun. There was always a story to be told.

DJs, MCs and PAs were hired to take you on a journey. Vocal house tunes like Alison Limerick’s ”Where Love Lives” and Brothers In Rhythm’s ”Such a Good Feeling were played at the end of the night to enhance the rave experience.

Ravers didn’t want to go home at the end of the night when rewinds became popular.

The whole venue was buzzing when the lights were turned on as people moved on to their next location with scores of new friends.

The Rave Scene & Where it is Today!

Raves never died they just overshot their sell-by date by a year or two. Like the summer of Love only lasted a while.

It’s still enormous in some countries, however, the UK can rewardingly say they created the rave to dance for 12 hours or more. It was one huge musical exam created by us.

As time flows by there are signs of a revival in a more legal way. Perhaps rules could be relaxed a little in some areas allowing nightclubs to allow raves more often on a more legal basis.

There are great nights popping up celebrating 30+ years of the rave scene, a birthday that should be proud of itself.

With the recent nights at Shelley’s in Stoke and Bowlers in Manchester (2022) who knows what the next era of rave EDM will sound like? At a guess, we would all come to the same agreement.

It’s hard to beat the raves of the early 90s.