London’s Turnmills club gives the finger to British law

London’s Turnmills club gives the finger to British law

20 March, 2007 | 1.03PM

• Section: Music News
• Written by: Terry Church

One of London’s top clubs will use a forthcoming party to highlight the moment that free open-air raves became illegal in Britain – the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994. 

Turnmills in Farringdon has commemorated its upcoming Together party on Saturday 31st March to the anti-rave legislation, in particular section 63 of the act which notoriously contained the first ever legal definition for a genre of music.

It empowered the police to prevent gatherings where people were listening to amplified sounds ‘wholly or predominantly characterized by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats’.

The controversial law brought about the end of acid house culture in Britain, by giving authorities the power to shut down raves and parties that were ‘partly’ outdoor or ‘disturbed’ local residents.

Playing on the night will be a number of acid house pioneers and dance music heroes including Justin Robertson, Phil Hartnoll from Orbital, Paul Daley from Leftfield, and James Lavelle.

Over the last 12 months Together at Turnmills has become one of London’s most-talked about parties, having struck a winning combination of eclectic electronic music, silly costumes, party games, and laughing gas (nitrous oxide).

Clubbers who attend their 31st March party will get free beards and glasses, jelly and ice cream, whistles, and balloons.

There will even be a cardboard cut-out of Together’s main man Justin Robertson that ravers can touch and stroke.

By not taking themselves too seriously, Turnmills have managed to create a unique party atmosphere that mimics the fun free spirit of acid house.

For the full details and line-up of Together at Turnmills check out Beatportal’s Event Calendar.

• (1) Comments
• (343) Views