Rave Records: The History of Rave Culture

What Oxford Psychedelic Society have to say about their upcoming event:

For something that is so often viewed as frivolous, raving has a surprisingly rich history, one that is inextricably woven into the sociopolitical fabric of modern British life. All-night, drug-fueled dancing served a purpose deeper than mere hedonism. It was an act of political resistance: a middle finger to the Tory government and a rebellion against the Victorian mores that undergird society.

Raves were also guided by utopian ideals; as Ed Gillett writes in his book Party Lines: Dance Music and the Making of Modern Britain, they aspired towards a "communal world-building of the dance floor."

In this event, Gillett will discuss his book and the endlessly fascinating history of rave culture in the UK.