Guides

Plain-English guides to the sound and its history, from acid house and rave to genres, BPM and the ongoing revival. An independent publication from DOVEDUP.

• The Story of Acid House

  How acid house grew from a Chicago studio accident into the sound that sparked the UK rave explosion, and why the smiley became its symbol.

• The Second Summer of Love

  What the Second Summer of Love was: the 1988-89 explosion of acid house and rave that changed British youth culture.

• What Was Oldskool Rave?

  A guide to oldskool rave: the breakbeat-driven hardcore sound of roughly 1990 to 1994, and the culture that defined the golden era of UK rave.

• A Short History of UK Rave

  A concise history of UK rave, from acid house and the Second Summer of Love through hardcore, jungle and superclubs to the modern revival.

• Dance Music Genres Explained

  A plain-English guide to the main electronic dance music genres, from acid house and techno to drum and bass, UK garage, trance and modern EDM.

• Acid House vs Rave: What Is the Difference?

  Acid house and rave are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing. Here is the difference, simply explained.

• A BPM Guide to Dance Genres

  A quick reference to the typical tempo, in beats per minute, of the main electronic dance music genres, from house to drum and bass.

• The 90s Rave Revival

  Why the sounds of 90s rave, acid house and oldskool hardcore are back, and what is driving the ongoing revival of the era.