Rave New World
London new parties and music scene
London is a huge place. Knowing what’s going on in terms of nightlife could be a real mission. Thousands of events, thousands of venues. If you are into “niche” events it could be even more challenging to find the right one for you. I grew up within the rave party scene in Europe. I’ve always attended free parties, people would squat a place and make amazing events out of it, sometimes lasting for several days. “Free party for free people” was the motto. There wasn’t live music though, only electronic dj sets together with the awareness of the fact that the party could have been shut down in a matter of minutes. It was risky and it was the only way I thought parties should be. Then I got to London and I grew up tired of the rave party scene in here. Entrance fees, shitty music, loads of dodgy douches. I travelled quite a lot and started hanging into live music gigs.
I got addicted to the energy a live band could create. I also understood which kind of music I would have never grew tired of: gipsy, punk, rockabilly, ska with all the millions shadings these genres bring with them. I got back to London and discovered Rumpus. Rumpus is a great example of what my friends and I could enjoy: a powerful and raucous extravaganza packed with live bands, djs, fancy dresses, comedy, performance and glitter. Even though is always super busy, the interaction between people is safe and fun and everything run wild and smooth, creating something that made thousands of followers.
Rumpus became quickly an established part of London playfully underground music/performance scene. There are venues that promote this kind of nights and vibe like Fountayne Rd. warehouses, New river studios, Styx, the Hive, but not regularly. Diskollective is a new night out that reflects my vision of fun. It is hosted at T Chances, one of the few places in London that promotes an alternative live music scene and where the sense of community is strong and powerful. There are bands playing, a dj, a stand-up comedian taking care of “The world’s worst face painting company” and games.
People can collaborate by doing what they enjoy for the joy of doing it, from live paintings to jewels making. Every time there’s a different theme and props are built out of rubbish and recycled materials. People are encouraged to dress up and to play with the props surrounding them. I believe these kind of events are more a belief than a party. Belief in fun as a powerful human glue, in letting yourself go, in being for one night whoever you want, dressed up, not dressed up, undressed. Belief in getting people together and get them to play, interact and hopefully find a bit of that cheeky kid we all are.
