ABSTRACT
Variations on this claim are regularly heard across electronic dance scenes around the world. The explanation, given by veteran and not-so-veteran insiders, is typical: the scene has declined, for the authenticity and quality of parties, crowds, music and drugs have deteriorated. As it is often added, the scene has become too commercial, tritely popular and stifl ed by state surveillance. Others, however, argue that the scene has not declined but rather transformed while its “spirit” has remained the same.
