Genesis '88

Genesis'88 was a party promotion crew who threw some of the first acid house parties also known as raves in the United Kingdom from 1988 to 1992. It was founded during 1988 during the U.K's discovery of acid house. They were an organisation that staged acid house parties in empty industrial warehouses in London and within the M25 motorway. At that point in time acid house parties were deemed illegal by authorities because most promoters of the period gained entrance into buildings by breaking and entering.

In September 1989, Sunrise held the largest Acid House rave ever, just outside Reigate in Surrey. In the fields adjacent to the school playing fields at Hartswood (between Woodhatch and Sidlow Bridge), the rave took place and lasted from 10pm on the Saturday night until late into Sunday night. It was estimated that nearly 20,000 attended during the weekend and car queues stretched from the top of Reigate Hill all the way to the field in question (4 miles!). It was widely covered by the Press and television and remains the largest rave ever, notable for the fact that it is the only time in British history that the police have retreated on mainland soil.

Overview and history

Fuelled by the drug MDMA often referred to as ecstasy although rarely available in its pure form as it was in the late 1980s, nightclub goers in London and Manchester were desperate for events that catered to their needs and went on until the early hours of the morning. Genesis’88 found empty warehouses in London and transformed them into state-of-the-art dance arenas that consisted of professional lighting rigs, sound systems and colourful decorations. Unbeknownst to the buildings' owners the Genesis promoters would wear their best business suits and convince police riot squads that the warehouses were acquired through legitimate channels.

To give themselves more credit they would assume official titles such as George Michael’s personal manager or project manager for a major record company. Genesis enjoyed a succession of events that saw attendances rise from 300 to 15,000 people. Victims of their own success, Genesis were targeted by the UK government and the criminal underworld attracted by media articles of huge profits (£500,000) being made by such promoters. The Genesis organisers were kidnapped and threatened with death if they didn’t comply with the gangsters. They then had to hand over 25% of all profits in return for 24 hour protection. Their plight was shared by other promoters who had also encountered the same terror tactics.Fact|date=February 2007

This, coupled with the government’s label of "Public Enemy No.1", brought about the end of illegal acid house parties. Genesis continued arranging parties until 1992 before deciding to quit staging these events. One of the promoters Wayne Anthony, penned a book called "Class of 88 - The True Acid House Experience" (ISBN 0-7535-0240-2).

Genesis events

1988

1990

1992

Other promoters

*Sunrise / Back to the Future
*Biology
*Energy
*Hypnosis
*Unit 4
*Pasha
*Tranquillity
*New Generation
*Fantasy FM Radio

ee also

*Breakbeat hardcore
*Criminal Justice and Public Order Act
*Disc jockey
*Electronic music
*Free party
*Hardcore
*House music
*Rave
*Rave music
*Techno music

External links

* [http://groups.yahoo.com/group/acidhouse88/ Wayne Anthony's Acid House '88 Email List]