Rave facts for kids

A rave party in Vienna in 2005.

A rave is a large party or festival where disc jockeys play exciting electronic music. People love to dance a lot at raves! The music you might hear includes house, trance, techno, drum and bass, dubstep, and other kinds of electronic dance music (EDM). Raves also feature amazing laser light shows, projected images, and other cool visual effects. These effects help create a fantasy-like and magical scene. Raves first became popular from acid house music parties in the late 1980s in England and Ibiza. From there, they quickly spread to other parts of Europe and the United States.

What is a Rave Party?

A rave is more than just a party; it's an experience! Imagine a huge gathering filled with energy, where everyone is dancing to powerful electronic beats. The music is played by talented DJs who mix different songs together to keep the energy high. Besides the music, the lights and visuals are a big part of the fun. Bright lasers cut through the air, and cool images are projected onto screens or walls, making the whole place feel like a different world.

The Music and Lights

The main type of music at raves is electronic dance music (EDM). This includes many styles, like the catchy rhythms of house music, the dreamy sounds of trance, and the strong beats of techno. Other popular styles are drum and bass, which is very fast, and dubstep, known for its heavy bass.

The visual side of a rave is just as important as the music. Laser light shows create incredible patterns and beams of light that move with the music. Projected images and other special effects add to the atmosphere. These visuals help create a unique and immersive experience for everyone dancing.

Where Did Raves Start?

Raves began in the mid-to-late 1980s. They grew out of acid house music parties, especially in England and on the island of Ibiza. Ibiza, a popular vacation spot, was known for its lively nightlife. These early parties were often held in warehouses or open fields. Soon, the idea of raves spread quickly across mainland Europe and then to the United States, becoming a big part of youth culture.

How Raves Are Organized

Raves are usually put together and promoted by special event companies. These companies plan everything, from finding the location and hiring DJs to setting up the sound and lights. In England during the 1990s, some famous companies that promoted raves were Fantazia and Helter Skelter. Another company, ESP Promotions, held a series of popular raves called Dreamscape. In London, some large clubs also hosted raves regularly, offering a consistent place for people to enjoy the music and atmosphere.

Related pages

• Disco
• Electronic body music

Images for kids

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  A huge bank of speakers and subwoofers from a rave sound reinforcement system

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  Rave – Juiz de Fora – MG, featuring bright psychedelic theming common at many raves

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  The Roland TB-303 is a synthesizer featured in acid house music.

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  The TR-909 is a drum machine used in techno, house and many other genres.

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  Rave music is usually presented in a DJ set, using a mixer and turntables or CDJs.

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  Rave in Hungary in 2010, showing the fantastical thematic elements at such events

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  T-step of the Melbourne Shuffle

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  Raver with feather boa in Germany (1998)

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  Fairy fashion rave wear (2013)

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  Glowsticking in the United States (2008)

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  A collection of handmade bracelets known as "Kandi"

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  Laser lighting show at a trance festival.

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  The light show for the electronic musician Aphex Twin in 2011.

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  Ravers in a German techno club (KW in Munich) in the 1990s

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  Love Parade 1995 in Berlin

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  Frankie Knuckles (right) “Godfather of House Music”

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  A Rave in Seoul, South Korea in 2001

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  Audio technicians set up massive speaker enclosures for a Jamaican sound system party.

See also

In Spanish: Rave para niños