Despite clear social guidance to prevent the coronavirus situation worsening, people are still planning illegal events which attract thousands of ravers. The events are often kept secret until the very last minute with rendezvous points shared on twitter and between key figures in their local free party scene. In these situations Police are often the last to hear about the plans and when they arrive the rave is in full swing. A rave that attracted thousands of people last month on the outskirts of Dartmoor was unable to be shut down due to the sheer numbers attending it was assessed to be unsafe to stop.
Chief Superintendent Ratcliffe said: "We want to warn young people of the significant risks posed by such events and keep our communities safe. To those thinking about attending or organising such events - you will face enforcement action and could receive a criminal record. Do not go to illegal raves and risk your lives."
It is clear that people are breaking lockdown rules to attend illegal raves across the UK. Organisers of established free party crews are condemning the events taking place during the lockdown.
It is not just the large raves that are becoming more prevalent in the UK with a many smaller events attracting just a few hundred people taking place. The South West is rich with remote locations and those intent on organising illegal events can often do so with the Police only aware if disturbances are reported.
A report by
Mixmag has found that larger established party crews are continuing to hold off from throwing raves until the UK’s lockdown ends and the danger of virus transmission has been reduced.
“The people putting on parties during lockdown are generally not part of the established UK free party scene,” said a member of one large free party crew that hasn’t been putting on parties, and who asked to remain anonymous."
“Generally, these parties are being put on by groups of very young people who haven’t thought through the consequences of their actions or complete idiots who have access to small sound systems and want to make some fast money."
“The fact that there are no clubs open and none of the established free party crews are putting on parties means that there is a gap in the market. This is being exploited by irresponsible groups that would probably never usually see anyone turn up to their raves during normal times."
Read the joint position statement from two major free illegal party organisers:
“We absolutely condemn anyone doing free parties during the lockdown.
Free parties are about defying bad laws: the laws of property keep some people homeless whilst others own multiple glittering palaces that they keep empty; they kick locals out of their social spaces and deny them places to create and enjoy their own culture.
That’s why we do squat parties - to give each other a sense of our collective power and help defy bad laws.
However, the lockdown isn’t a ‘bad law’ – it’s not even really a law.
In reality, the government has not enforced a proper lockdown like other countries, and the elite - like Dominic Cummings - have completely ignored it.
It’s been the working class who have actually done their best to keep the most vulnerable safe, and free parties - as a working class cultural movement - will absolutely hold the line too.”
What do our local DJs think?
In this unprecedented time that we face we need to pull together as one for the good of all. Irrelevant of your business or creativity we all need to be responsible or they'll pull us back into detention until we learn.
We regard to illegal raves, they've gone on for years pandemic or not. Illegal raves back in the 90's and the early acid house scene etc were a completely different movement to now. Back then it had a purpose, a new era was being born and every came together and worked more as a collective than a corporate.
In 2020 there isn't the same vibe or movement. There's no collaboration between ravers. In fact ravers don't really exist anymore. There's nothing to fight as there was back then. Instead we have people cashing in turning it into a business and profiteering from it. It is more unsafe now because of all the above reasons.
And now we have a pandemic to thrown into the mix.
In my opinion, while there's no vaccine, nothing to help you, why put yourself and the rest of the country, for what is basically a selfish and unsafe risk.
People say the government are trying to control us, well by demonstrating irresponsible behaviour in times such as these, then yes you deserved to be controlled because you can't control yourself for the good of all.
Jay
I agree with the larger free party crews and think it isn’t safe to hold raves until the pandemic is over. I’m definitely up for a rave to celebrate the end of the pandemic, though, but not until it is safe to do so. Nate
Well its a double edge sword... The original rave scene was born out of a social climate that is very much like today. Conservatives in power, rich getting richer and social divides getting bigger. Obviously E played a massive part in bringing social and economic classes together which changed the feeling of a nation.
However in todays climate, E is not what it was, everyone through the power of social media thinks they are the next 'big I am' and we have a pandemic. We were innocent back then, out to give a big 'F*** You' to the establishment, enjoy the vibe and treat everyone equally. Its has lost that and people as stated are selfish to think about themselves and not others. The parties will continue but when a silent killer (Covid-19) is put to bed. Don't take chances please, don't ruin it for the future.
Keaty
