While its origins can be traced to Germany, Detroit and Chicago, rave culture, as we now know it, largely emerged in the dimly lit underground clubs of European cities amidst pulsating techno and house music beats. It was a society of secrecy, liberation, and unity. Raving, born out of the clandestine corners of gay clubs in the 1980s, celebrates freedom, escaping the mundane, and expressing individuality.
“It was one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had in my life,” said Liam Huston, a local DJ and producer, about attending his first rave.
However, a tension simmers beneath the surface of raving. The interconnectedness between raves and recreational drug use leads to negative media representations. Although the destructive aspects of party drugs cannot be ignored or downplayed, the resulting narrative is often stereotypical and judgmental which challenges the core values of rave culture such as unity and expression.
History of rave culture
After their birth in Europe, raves grew in popularity and made their way across the Atlantic Ocean to North America. This growth led to bigger shows, venues and crowds — raves became highly promoted, commercialized spectacles.
“I do think we are missing something from when you go to a rave and it was all about the people that were there. There was a shift in focus toward the production value as opposed to the focus being on the community and the people. I think there’s something we lost there,” said Huston.
In traditional rave culture, almost everyone attending follows the mantra of peace, love, unity, and respect widely known as PLUR. This includes things like trading bracelets, sharing food and keeping negativity at bay. By emphasizing this, raves become a safe place for people to escape the realities of everyday life and feel like they belong somewhere.
“There’s physical support without having to be physically touched. Finding family within it. As less and less people have solid family situations, I think that we’re creating them in these little pockets,” said Julie Broderick, a Calgary-based raver and DJ (Won Armour).
Rave reputations
The themes of recreational drug use and raving are increasingly interconnected. The normalcy of substance use at these events continues to overwhelm communities and healthcare systems.
The most popular drugs used by youth at raves are ketamine, methylenedioxyphenethylamine – also known as MDMA or ecstasy – and lysergic acid diethylamide, otherwise known as LSD or acid. These drugs are state-altering and cause adverse effects on one’s body and mind if not monitored appropriately.
“There’s a reasonable addictive property to the stimulant effects,” said Karen Atkinson-Leadbeater, a psychology professor at Mount Royal University.
The rise in popularity of youth using these substances with no supervision means fuelling the black market for drugs that contributes to higher rate of addiction, overdosing and a lack of control over the growing drug problem.
“It’s a bit messier, and some of that is because dopaminergic drugs do have a tendency to drive a substance use disorder. I think the other risk is when you’re in a distorted sensory state of whatever kind, is the decision that you’re making in that state,” said Atkinson-Leadbeater.
From 1998 to 1999, an increase of “club drugs” like MDMA and GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyrate) was observed in emergency rooms doubled, according to the Drug Abuse Warning Network (DAWN).
Redefining the rave
In response to this problem, many production companies hosting raves have begun implementing preventative measures in the last 20 years. Festival grounds offer drug testing, harm reduction services, naloxone training and various other resources. These efforts are dedicated to decreasing the stigma around recreational drug use and promoting a safer and more balanced way to go about partying.
But even with resources now available, there’s still a significant amount of overdoses related to raving.
“I think a long-standing challenge [for raves] is the drug culture. It’s mixed in. It’s been mixed in since the beginning, as it is with most party scenes,” said Broderick.
However, strenuous research is coming to light to prove the positive effects of these drugs, too, especially in helping those with severe mental health disorders – such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
“They seem to be reemerging in the therapeutic landscape these days. The properties of these drugs, their ability to kind of promote a shift in perspective. With various kinds of mental illness states, they seem to be able to break that cycle apart and allow people to pursue different thought processes,” said Atkinson-Leadbeater.
Atkinson-Leadbeater also notes that ravers may use illicit substances as a form of self-medication. Meanwhile, conversations with those in the rave scene show that people who use uncontrolled substances view all substances as drugs, including alcohol and cannabis, and that the difference between these things lies in the stigma.
“Drugs are prevalent in all of society. I think that ravers are just a little bit more open and honest about it in a way that makes it a little safer for everybody, especially with the agencies that are focusing on testing and education,” said Huston.
At the same time, media tends to spreads a negative image of raving, overshadowing the majority who attend raves for the music, culture and self expression.
“I think that really puts a bad taste in the mouth of a lot of people because their first exposure to raving is telling them that it’s bad and evil,” said Huston.
Amidst these opposing views, the core philosophy of raving endures where PLUR remains a guiding principle for many within the rave community.
“There’s something primitive to the motions that we’re doing it all at the same time — that everybody is finding this vibration that they’re all moving to,” said Broderick.
Reviving the rave scene
Now part of the global economy, raving has bloomed in all corners of the world. Big festivals became global phenomena, transcending borders and cultures. In Calgary, independent production companies are again popping up with more old-school, underground raves.
These smaller shows are single-handedly protecting the social element of rave culture as it once was, whereas successful festivals drive the legitimacy of electronic dance music (EDM) in the international music industry.
“I think that the festival, big name stuff is going to go crazy. But that being said, I think that the underground is going to be a bit of a renaissance in the next 10 to 20 years,” said Huston.
By gaining recognition from more prominent industries, artists and attendees from the rave scene are now experiencing the first signs of acceptance from mainstream society.
“Is there a chance that we can take the ideals from the rave community and spread it outwards further in the world?” asks Broderick.
Those who understand the essence of raving know that it has stayed the same throughout this massive transformation. Similar to raves in the 1980s, this scene is still about more than just the parties – it’s fostering connections, spreading positivity and embracing the moment.