ABSTRACT

This chapter describes the locations and social milieux in which the London rave club culture was situated. It provides an overview of rave club culture as it appeared in London over the period of field observation. Raves were the early celebratory form of the rave club culture. These were illegal events organised by entrepreneurial individuals with a personal interest in providing parties for like-minded people. Commercial rave nightclubs were the large popular clubs located in central city areas. The growth of the night-time economy surrounding the rave club culture saw the range of spaces being used as nightclub venues expand. Latching on to the financial opportunities being generated through the diversifying rave club culture, the Venus Group set themselves up as organisers of moving dance parties. Similar to the Venus Group events, rather than occupying one site, thrash parties were hosted in a range of venues and locations both indoor and outdoor, and in and out of London.