How Were Illegal Raves of the Early 1990s Communicated Without Mobile Phones and the Internet?

During the early 1990s, the rise of dance and electronic music scene in Los Angeles saw a wave of underground rave parties. These secret events thrived in the absence of modern communication tools like mobile phones and the internet. Here, we delve into how illegal raves were coordinated and communicated, primarily through grassroots methods such as flyers and voicemail messages.

While I don’t have personal experiences from other regions, in Los Angeles, the organizers of these clandestine events would produce thousands of flyers. These flyers were then distributed at various venues, such as house parties, universities, and even on the streets. Often, the organizers would pay individuals to hand out the flyers, or they would give flyers to friends who would distribute them among their networks.

The flyers would typically contain cryptic details leading to a record store or a specific location where one could acquire their ticket. For example, the flyer might say, "Find James at the Record House on Main Street. Tickets available by Wednesday." On the day of the party, ticket buyers would receive further information, such as a hand-drawn map, an address, or verbal directions, depending on whether the venue was outdoors or in a warehouse setting.

Verbal Communication and Communication Tools

For verbal communication, organizers relied on word of mouth, email pagers, landlines, and pay phones. Many ravers used these methods to pass on information about the location and details of the parties. The informal nature of these methods added an element of intrigue and excitement to the scene, as ravers had to be in tune with their networks to stay informed.

Email pagers and landlines were particularly useful for keeping close-knit communities connected. Distributors and record store owners used these tools to coordinate with DJs and labels for booking and planning purposes. Record stores, being central hubs in the music scene, often booked the DJs themselves or facilitated communication between the DJs and the labels to arrange bookings.

Underground Networks and Repeat Venues

Certain locations became synonymous with the rave scene. In Los Angeles, venues like the Orange Show, the Glasshouse, and La Casa served as regular meeting points for raves. These venues were popular because they offered recurring spaces for dance and music events. For example, the Orange Show and the Glasshouse were known for hosting regular weekend raves, while La Casa often served as the venue for the New Year’s Eve gathering known as "Together as One."

In addition to these established venues, some raves were more elusive and required covert entrances or hidden ways to find the actual location. These were often referred to as "underground" parties and were notorious for their secretive planning. Some of these parties were held in locations like sports arenas and abandoned areas of the Angeles National Forest. Notably, the New Year's Eve party at the LA Sports Arena was at the LA Sports Arena next to the Coliseum, and for the first couple of years, EDC was held at Lake Dolores, which posed challenges due to the dusty conditions and the need to walk to the entrance.

The End of an Era

The peak of the rave scene in Los Angeles came to an abrupt halt in the summer of 1999. A tragic car accident involving kids coming back from a closed location called Santa’s Village in the Angeles National Forest, which was only open in the winter, turned into a siege where the authorities shut down the permits for all-night techno dance events. The county placed stringent regulations on these events, leading to a significant decline in the number of raves.

While the era of illegal raves in the early 1990s is now a nostalgic memory, it serves as a testament to the resilience and creativity of music communities in the face of restrictive laws and limited technological means.