Brooklyn Rave
In the 1990s, a rebellious rave movement rose in New York City. This occurred amid turmoil and segregation within the city as neighborhood wars and crack epidemics took their toll.
Raves often take place at unlicensed venues on the edge of cities, such as warehouses, factories and abandoned buildings. Furthermore, these establishments sell alcohol without alcohol licenses and may not always adhere to fire regulations.
The Origins
Raves began as unlicensed, anti-establishment dance parties held in secret. They were organized to avoid police interference and became popular throughout the late 1990s and 2000s.
Raving can take place in a variety of environments such as clubs, warehouses and parks. Generally, the atmosphere resembles that of a speakeasy, carnival or ancient ritual with vibrant music and multicolored lights.
Rave music, also referred to as “rave music,” evolved due to the rise of electronic music genres like techno, house and drum ‘n bass.
Many raves attract a large number of participants, which increases the probability that they will consume various drugs. Common drugs found at raves include MDMA, ketamine, GHB, Rohypnol and LSD – all widely marketed as “club drugs.”
Club drugs can have significant negative consequences on one’s mental health and physical wellbeing. Ketamine in particular, which is the most frequently consumed drug by ravers, has an addictive nature.
Rave culture has given birth to numerous organizations dedicated to curbing drug abuse among club goers. These “harm reduction organizations” attend rave events to test samples of illicit substances and inform attendees about purity levels.
These groups also provide advice on managing the physical effects of drug use. Law enforcement agencies and communities have responded to this growing epidemic with regulations, such as licencing laws for rave promoters and large public gatherings.
Additionally, the government has implemented programs to combat the rising incidence of drug overdoses among ravers. These initiatives offer assistance through counseling, rehabilitation and education.
The Brooklyn rave scene is a relatively recent phenomenon, but its roots can be traced back to the early 1980s with electronic music from Chicago that quickly spread throughout Europe and America.
The Evolution
Brooklyn has long been known for its hip-hop and rock scene, but it also houses some of the top dance clubs worldwide. Additionally, Brooklyn was birthplace to many legendary DJs such as Frankie Bones and Adam X.
The Brooklyn rave quickly spread throughout the 1990s, emerging out of a time when its youth culture had been grappling with issues such as racial tension, territorial wars, crack addiction and HIV/AIDS. At its core was Adam X’s motto “Peace Love Unity,” painted on train cars by one of its key leaders.
At one point, this philosophy was reflected in the music played at Brooklyn raves. Frankie Bones and Joey Beltram, two prominent figures within this movement, helped establish a sound that wasn’t heavily influenced by breakbeats or hip-hop styles. Additionally, their ideas spread around the globe and eventually gave birth to European techno and house music genres.
Today, warehouses across Brooklyn host an array of events that draw from DJs and artists from around the globe.
Clubs in Brooklyn are known for hosting some of the world’s greatest DJs, such as Dixon, Jamie Jones, The Martinez Brothers, Bonobo and more. It’s no surprise why these establishments have gained such a following among local clubbers.
Due to this, communities and law enforcement agencies have started enforcing a variety of laws designed to restrict drug usage at raves. They’ve also implemented juvenile curfews and demanded that rave promoters pay for licensing, medical services, and security for their events.
Some of these rules have been contentious, yet they’re necessary to protect public health and safety. In an effort to enforce them, some communities have joined forces with private drug education and testing organizations (harm reduction groups) in order to attend raves and test samples for purity levels.
The Venues
Brooklyn’s club scene has fully embraced electronic dance music (EDM). Weekly DJ nights provide attendees with the newest top-charting tracks from DJs around the world. Plus, there are numerous after-hours venues dedicated to underground house and techno music.
Kings Hall is an inviting venue located within the Avant Gardner complex in East Williamsburg. It boasts an eclectic aesthetic that blends industrial chic with organic tech. With thousands of tropical plants, a large courtyard, elevated towers with views, modular staging and immersive A/V capabilities – this space offers so much more than just a nightclub experience!
Unfortunate guests will experience an immense and soaring space that replicates the acoustics of some of London’s premier concert halls. Equipped with a KV2 Audio VHD5.0 sound system, array of projectors, and fully programmable lighting fixtures, it provides guests with an unforgettable immersive experience.
It’s also host to a number of concerts and parties, such as the popular Halloween event that’s featured everything from Neon Circus acts to Hajime Kinoko shibari performances. With capacity for around 4,000 guests, this space also provides food options like burgers or tacos.
ArtsDistrict, one of Brooklyn’s newest and most immersive venues, boasts a revolving stage and cutting-edge 360 degree projection technology. It also has an established name in electronic dance music (EDM), thanks to their partnership with NYC underground promoter Teksupport that brings some of the world’s top DJs here. Furthermore, there’s plenty of other major features like a large bar and giant tetris-like puzzle floor for added entertainment value.
The Music
Brooklyn’s dance music scene has seen remarkable growth over the past five years, from a small DIY scene rooted in underground electronic music to an internationally-acclaimed industry that draws some of music’s top DJs. The city boasts some iconic clubs and has seen major new venues open their doors recently.
In addition to an array of club night formats, Brooklyn also hosts several successful festivals. One notable event is the Brooklyn Electronic Music Festival which takes place from October 3-6 this year and includes line-ups at venues like Output, Good Room and Avant Gardner.
Though the festival offers a diverse range of artists and genres, it stays true to its roots in offering an unfiltered experience for partygoers. Instead of playing traditional house music, the lineups here feature acts that explore all facets of dance music and electronic soundscapes.
What sets BEM Festival apart is its collaborative nature. Unlike most music festivals, where artists perform onstage and then take a break for the audience to watch them, at BEM there are no boundaries; artists are allowed to express their creativity in an organic and fluid manner that feels natural to everyone involved.
For many rave goers, the festival features an abundance of DJs from around the world who provide music from various genres and cultures. With such a diverse line-up, attendees get to experience different cultures while hearing music from diverse genres.
Brooklyn rave has evolved into the phenomenon it is today due to its diversity. Ravers come from all backgrounds and ages, yet they all share one thing in common: an undying love of music they dance to.
Throughout the 1990s, Euro-rave, a dark jungle-style of electronic music developed in Europe during the early ’90s, was heavily influential. This fast and hard music had everyone dancing; crowds were euphoricated by it.
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