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What is Rave Culture?

Kashmira Lad
If you have often wondered what is rave culture, and the reason why it draws huge crowds, read on to know some facts associated with this controversial culture. Also find out how it derived this name.
While walking towards the entrance for a party, you can feel the pulsating beats within you. The roaring sound of the crowds, high with ecstasy, is certainly above the music decibels. You approach the main door, wondering whether you're doing the right thing.
You have often wondered what is rave culture all about, and somehow the doubts in your mind don't let you attend one, and quench your curiosity either! Here, we will satiate your urge to know more about this culture, and find out why youngsters all over the world get hooked on to it. Let us see the origin of Rave Culture.

Origin

Way back in the 1950s, the term rave was used as a way to identify bohemian parties. It depicted the culture of modern youth and their wild partying.
Many music groups used this term in the early years, but thereon, it disappeared from the scene. It was only revived in the 1980s, the time when most of the youth started following the rave culture.
It is claimed that the rave culture originated in the 1980s. However, this version was not just about all-night parties and dancing in the moonlight; it was also associated with drugs such as ecstasy, cocaine, ketamine, and 2C-B.
The parties also have a lavish display of laser lights and artificial fog. In Goa, India rave parties are quite synonymous with trance parties, and Goa trance music is very much in demand out there, with the CDs available easily at certain beaches.

Evolution

The earliest of the rave parties were known as Acid House Summers. These had electronic dance music, as well as psychedelic music. Warehouse parties started catching on, and people thronged to be a part of the culture. This did invite strong objections from others.
Politicians expressed their disgust for such culture and parties. There was strong resistance in the UK. This culture grew in popularity in Montreal, Chicago, LA, and even San Francisco.
Rave parties and culture thus slowly spread all over the world. Enthusiastic ravers joined such meets regularly. Laws were passed to stop such parties. Continental Europe witnessed scenarios wherein electronic music was considered as a competition for rock and roll music. In Australia, raves were also known as dance parties.
These had fashion as an important focus, and one could see designer wear worn by the dancers and performers. South Africa saw its first large Johannesburg rave in the early 1992, held in Yeoville, inside an old cinema house.
In the US, the popularity of the rave culture hugely caught on. It was associated with certain theories, to project it in a different light. It was associated with factors that tried to promote peace, love, and responsibility. This was possibly done simply, because rave parties were associated with drugs.
Although, it has never been the norm to use drugs at such parties, this misconception exists largely due to the presence of people who are completely into these banned substances.
Hardcore ravers have therefore faced the ax, because the culture got a reputation for promoting drugs. It was therefore found to be on similar lines with the hippie culture. Therefore in US, most raves are publicized by word of mouth, rather than advertising for the same.
Silent raves also caught on, where people gathered together, but used their headphones to listen to music and dance together. Such parties were held without the presence of audible music.
The rave culture definitely exists in the society, albeit not being really legalized in most parts of the world. Let us only hope that people get high on music, instead of drugs. Only then, would any party be hip and happening in every sense!