The early 1990s were the rave heydays, undoubtedly some of the most electrifying years for the international electronic and dance music world. Collectively, the various underground parties and concerts became known as “raves,” although later the term was specifically used to refer to illegal parties hosted in a myriad of different locations including warehouses, lofts, industrial open-areas, forests, the desert, etc.
If space could hold a rave, in the 1990s it was likely to be used for one.
At the time the rave scene was home to house, techno, trance, drum and bass and other offshoot genres that were popular then. Thanks to its policy of inclusion, the rave scene ended up evolving into a subculture held together with a distinctive ethos, a particular and unique sense of fashion and a keen, adventurous liking for drug use, especially ecstasy.
“Peace, Love, Unity and Respect”(PLUR) was the childbirth of this exact subculture, bringing people from all walks of life together under the rave umbrella. In a previous #TBT Series article we explored what it was like to party in New York City in the early 90s.
Enjoy the below selection of rave shots taken throughout the 1990s.
Ravers outside ‘The Trip’ Street party, Tottenham Court Road, London, UK 1988
NYC ’90s
Photo copyright by Michael Tullberg, from the photo book “DANCEFLOOR THUNDERSTORM: Land Of The Free, Home Of The Rave” by Michael Tullberg
Photo copyright by Michael Tullberg, from the photo book “DANCEFLOOR THUNDERSTORM: Land Of The Free, Home Of The Rave” by Michael Tullberg
Photo copyright by Michael Tullberg, from the photo book “DANCEFLOOR THUNDERSTORM: Land Of The Free, Home Of The Rave” by Michael Tullberg
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