Watch Amazon Music’s New Documentary, ‘Better Days: The Story of UK Rave’

Amazon Music UK has put together a 30-minute documentary that looks back on 30 years of rave culture titled Better Days: The Story of UK Rave. Cut together with nostalgic rave footage from the ’90s, epic dance floor moments from contemporary events, and commentary from pioneers of the scene and some of clubland’s best new acts, the documentary explores UK rave’s story to date and where it might be going next.

Scored by the critically acclaimed electronic duo Overmono, the documentary’s soundtrack also includes two new Amazon Originals; Orbital’s “Chime,” remixed by Special Request aka Paul Woolford (who Gabriel Szatan interviewed for our cover last year), and Dance System’s “Better Days” (feat. Rush Davis) — available now via Amazon Music. (Gabriel also spoke to Dance System late last year).

Appearing through the film are artists like Paul Hartnoll (Orbital), Terry Farley, Colin Dale, Luke Unabomber, Sherelle, Afrodeutsche, Denis Sulta, Dance System, Prospa, and Beatport NEXT artist TSHA, along with key event organizers, rave crews, and promoters.

Reveling in old stories about the first wave of the UK rave scene and discussing the current and future challenges facing the scene following the Covid-19 lockdowns, the documentary presents an in-depth view of the Britain’s raving legacy and how it has carried on through thick and thin. Watch the full documentary in the player below.

First premiered via Amazon Music’s Twitch Channel on May 28th, the showing was accompanied by a roundtable discussion with the film’s director Hugo Jenkins, TSHA, Afrodeutsche, and Jamz Supernova as host. You can rewatch the discussion in the player below.

Following the premiere, Beatport hosted an official afterparty via Twitch with a special musical showcase from artists TSHA, Dance System, Afrodeutsche, and recent Beatport cover artist Tim Reaper. Check out their performances below.

Tim Reaper

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TSHA

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Afrodeutsche