‘Rave’ Culture: What Sheffield has to offer to the dance scene.

The lost 90s rave subculture has danced its way into modern-day nightlife and the scene is expanding more than ever. With a vaster range of music, an increase in more diverse lineups, and safer environments there couldn’t be a better time for students to experiment with what this culture has to offer. 

But, has the meaning of ‘rave’ culture been diminished alongside this change?

History of ‘rave culture’

The term ‘rave’ originated from underground parties in the dance music scene, but electronic music was targeted and raves were coined as illegal in 1994 under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act intending the reduce anti-social behaviour. 

Today rave culture has adopted a new meaning merging into the clubbing scene. Dance and electronic music are played at events in various venues across the world, allowing the rave subculture to play in a legal setting. 

These legalised ‘raves’ offer a much safer environment for ravers with security, staff, and event organisers taking special measures to allow the culture to stay alive. 

What does Sheffield have to offer?

Sheffield has a vast music scene, which clearly adopts the rave culture our generation seeks. 

Music genres that circulate in the city range from DNB, jungle, techno, breakbeats, dance/electronic music, and many more. 

With big names even playing at University of Sheffield’s Tuesday Club in the Student Union such as Sammy Virji, Overmono and 4 am Kru it proves that Sheffield isn’t a city that goes unnoticed for its events. 

Personally, both venues FORGE and Hopeworks have been places that highlight ‘rave’ and music culture in Sheffield. 

Trance duo, DJ Heartstring at FORGE back in November 2023, was my personal favourite with the support of Faster Horses. The whole atmosphere was entirely euphoric, everybody was happy, dancing and it sparked my love for trance music. I have incorporated trance into many of my DJ sets since this event and my love for this subculture has grown vastly. 

Sheffield has also been incredible at increasing the diversity of lineups with inclusive events such as HE/SHE/THEY and I love seeing smaller venues also adopting this movement.

Moving to Sheffield has allowed me to submerge myself in the vast music culture it has to offer. Although I feel like the meaning of rave culture has been diminished through these changes, the fun and experience of dance that rave culture introduced certainly still live on in this city. 

Edited by Anna Cao