An interview to mark World Music Day: World of Rave event, Ramsgate: Saturday 20 September
In celebration of World Music Day – an annual event held every 21st June – we wanted to highlight the role that music can play in enhancing mental wellbeing.
Dan with DJ Rap
World Music Day began in France in 1982 as Fête de la Musique and has grown into a global movement encouraging musicians of all levels to perform in public spaces, uniting people through rhythm, melody and shared emotion.
Music is more than just entertainment. Scientific studies and lived experience alike show that music can improve mood, reduce anxiety and create a sense of connection.
Whether it’s the beat of a drum, the lyrics of a song, or the collective energy of a dancefloor, music has the ability to reach us emotionally, physically and psychologically.
To mark this special day, we chatted to Dan, also known as DJ Way Back Into Time, the organiser behind World of Rave 25, a fundraising event for East Kent Mind.
In this interview, Dan shares how the rave scene, its music and its community have played a meaningful role in promoting mental health and why he’s bringing old skool energy to Ramsgate Music Hall.
World of Rave 25 takes place on Saturday 20th September (4-10pm) at Ramsgate Music Hall and tickets can be purchased here: www.ramsgatemusichall.com/world-of-rave-25
What inspired you to fundraise for East Kent Mind?
An idea came to me that organizing a ‘World of Rave 25’ event as a fundraiser for East Kent Mind would spread awareness of the Charity, which aims to promote positive mental health.
Music promotes a positive mental attitude. It is universally acknowledged that music elicits a response in mind, body and soul.
I’ve come to appreciate that the rave scene is full of positive role models, who exemplify mindfulness and wellbeing. DJs are leaders in the rave culture, and I realised that their positive attitudes, messages and behaviours are inspiring.
Rave events are uplifting to the human spirit in my experience. Any earnings or proceeds from ‘World of Rave 25’ are all going to East Kent Mind charity.
What is it about rave/dance music that interests you?
Since 1990 I have been a fan of dance music in general and rave music in particular, with the keenest focus on the golden years of rave, which were the early 1990s. This period is now often referred to as the ‘old skool’.
I heard it said that hip-hop is the first music genre to be made entirely out of other music. Rave music in my opinion shares that trait. Rave is built on musical samples, with an emphasis on musical climaxes, a totally engaging experience. For example, the early 90s sound is a melting pot of funk breakbeats, deep bass, manic piano parts and otherworldly FX stabs. Rave history is fascinating, as the sound evolved/mutated over time, with several sub- genres that developed (like jungle having influences from reggae). Overall rave music can be summarized as a high tempo and euphoric style of music.
Generally, the BPM of rave rose from house speeds (approx.120 bpm in 1990) up to around 160 BPM by 1996- in other words it became 1/3 faster than other dance genres. The 1990-96 sounds were made on rudimentary equipment by (bedroom) producers using low-cost digital samplers and digital or analogue synths.
The scene was very fast moving and innovative since the producers were often also DJing the music, a track could be cut and then played at an event on the same day.
I also like the visuals of rave, the flyers and the lighting for example, they are visceral just like the music.
Hip-hop was recently having its 50th birthday, the rave scene is already around 35 years old, I look forward to ’50 years of rave’.
What can people expect at ‘World of Rave 25’?
‘World of Rave 25’ will be an old skool event rave, focusing on the rave music from the golden era 1990-96. Dave, the leader of the local ‘Old Skool Roots’ collective, is helping me with some organization for the event.
Ramsgate Music Hall has been voted one of the best small music venues, the size and layout is ideal for a very authentic old skool rave experience. The main room has an amazing sound system and holds a capacity of 130.
This will be an intimate chance to see and hear some of the scene’s best DJs playing the rave tunes that forged their stellar careers, accompanied by one of the best MCs.
There is a further room upstairs at Ramsgate Music Hall where the bar is located and where there is space to chill out. The rave runs from 4pm to 10pm, this means there is less stress about everyone getting home.
Which DJs are you particularly looking forward to hearing?
I hand-picked all the DJs for ‘World of Rave 25’ since I was keen to have key musical originators play their music at this old skool rave. In a list of the top 100 rave tracks of all time, please appreciate that each of these DJs has released tracks that are in my personal top 20.
DJ Rap will be supported by DJ Nookie, DJ Trax and MC Five Alive.
DJ RAP, is the undisputed queen of the turntables and voted the number one female DJ in the world. DJ RAP continues to shape the world of rave since she starting DJing in 1990.
Check out these old skool classics by DJ Rap on YouTube:
Nookie is one of the most prolific and versatile DJ producers of the 90s, whether it’s as Windy Milla on Daddy Armshouse, Nookie on Reinforced, Cloud 9 on Moving Shadow or his famous collaborations with the legendary Ray Keith. Nookie releases are great blueprints of jungle drum & bass such as the seminal hardcore/jungle crossover ‘The Sound Of Music’ from 1992.
DJ Trax made a huge impression in the rave scene, his legendary releases on Moving Shadow are essential listening then and now. For example, the 1992 ‘Time Will Tell’ EP which features the track ‘Infinite Hype’ and the 1993 release ‘High Time/ Blackmore’.
Five Alive, one of the scenes original MCs, has been the MC for all the top DJs. Five Alive is also the MC for Altern 8 Live. Five Alive always hypes up the crowd.
There is also some local Kent talent DJing at the ‘World of Rave 25’. DJ Real Deal is a locally based DJ who will play a vinyl set of old skool rave, as I will myself, DJ Way Back Into Time.
Do you have any future events on the horizon?
Starting in 2024 I made the step to start DJing out, especially my rave vinyl collection and I have now DJ’d at several events in East Kent. I keep hearing that people wish there were rave music nights in Kent, and while I am not a nightclub promoter, I have taken up the challenge to organize raves, starting with ‘World of Rave 25’ this year. I want to keep working with like-minded local people like Dave who has his ‘Old Skool Roots’ collective. Watch this space for 2026!
Thanks again to Dan for talking to us and good luck with the event.
Tickets for World of Rave 25 on Saturday 20th September cost £18 and can be purchased here: www.ramsgatemusichall.com/world-of-rave-25
The event is from 4pm until 10pm at Ramsgate Music Hall, 13 Turner St, Ramsgate, Kent CT11 8NJ
World of Rave 25 has its own Facebook Events page, why not take a look here: www.facebook.com/events/1199092951724644
