Rave music

Rave music consists of forms of electronic dance music that are associated with the rave scene.

Most often, the term is used to describe high in energy music, including some forms of trance music, that features samples, loops and synthesizers. Less intense forms of rave music include ambient music, and chillout music, usually used in separate areas of raves known as "chill rooms" that provide a place for "ravers" to rest and relax from the intense dancing.

Rave music closely followed the acid house phenomenon and was initially considered as a combination of fast breakbeat and more hardcore forms of techno. Early 1990s efforts by Nebula 2, Acen, Altern-8, The Prodigy (Experience), Utah Saints and The Shamen (En-Tact) were quintessential rave music and were being played at huge all night raves like Fantazia, Raindance, Universe and others.

By the early 2000s, the term was used more generically to mean any one of a number of different styles (or combinations thereof) that might be played at a rave party. In this sense, rave music is more associated with an event than a particular genre, per se. At a rave there can be different "arenas" or areas that play different styles of rave music. Very large raves, called "massives", may include ten or more separate arenas, each with their own music style, ranging from hi-energy techno and trance to chillout and ambient in the chillrooms situated next to or within the surroundings of the main event..

References

Bennett Andy, Peterson Richard A.: "Music Scenes: Local, Translocal and Virtual." Nashville: Vanderbilt University Press, 2004

Reynolds, Simon: Generation Ecstasy: into the world of techno and rave culture Routledge, New York 1999.

Lang, Morgan: "Futuresound: Techno Music and Mediation" University of Washington, Seattle, 1996.

External links

• Fantazia Rave Music information - Download, label profiles.
• RaveHistory.co.uk - Includes rave history and event video clips
• Party Vibe - Download free rave music.