Free Parties: de volta à cena [a return to the scene]
Twelve years after being expelled from the countryside, the free parties are back on British farms and countryside spots making the authorities’ hair stand on end
08.09.06 17:15 
‘A rave is defined as a meeting of more than 100 people, where amplified music is played [totally or predominantly characterized by the sound of repetitive beats], causing serious inconvenience to the local community, in the open air and at night.’
This single paragraph, part of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gave British police forces the power to stop the raver phenomenon in the United Kingdom, origin of this kind of party which today is popular the world over.
And as not everything lasts for ever, more than ten years later, the youth who did not live through the Rave Act but grew up orphans from the famous countryside escapades have returned to the farms and countryside of England to make a lot of noise – with or without permission.
The case which has attracted the attention of British society was the recent confrontation between the police and a group of 600 youths, many younger than 18 years of age, who were having an unlicensed party in Essex at the start of last week. Nine officers were injured , 35 youths were arrested and a police car was burnt out.
This event has refocused the eyes of public opinion on the underground electronic music scene. ‘It appears that the popularity of raves is increasing again, and we must be aware of the possibilty of other events occurring’ said Huw Meredith, police inspector, in a statement to the BBC.
In the party forums, threads where anonymous individuals declare their fanatical support for the ‘free parties’ are interspersed by others where people are looking for information on the next one. “Free parties are the evolution! Not only are they free, but at no club or organized event will you find as many interesting people or have experiences as bizzarre” declares an anonymous poster of the British forum partyvibe.com. The site offers everything from tips on how to park your car without it attracting police attention to how to react if caught in breach of the law.
It is still difficult to assess how this will affect the (free party) scene and the electronic (music) British culture but its worth keeping an eye on. The United Kingdom has already taught the world how to have these parties, maybe we are watching a new lesson.
