Exactly 30 years ago, on Saturday 1st May, the first big march against the imminent Criminal Justice Bill (CJB) set off from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square. As a new young writer for Melody Maker, I’d written plenty about it by then already. I’d attended Advance Party demo organising meets, interviewed assorted music artists about it, and helped compile a four- page special that week in The Maker on the possible ramifications of the CJB. This law, in case we forget, was the first piece of UK legislation to ever target a music genre — rave. It was our music, and it was under attack.
It felt good dancing behind a sound system on the march route with various Hackney pals, and when Trafalgar Square became an impromptu rave it was an amazing feeling. The movement against the CJB was still building, and while the law ultimately passed later in 1994 it certainly brought a lot of disparate people together. But what happened next? Did it kill raves? On page 93 here we look at the fall out from the CJB, and on page 102 attend a free party in the west country to check out whether the movement is still thriving.
Also this issue, it’s a privilege to welcome Indira Paganotto onto our cover. Her story is expertly told by Niamh O’Connor from page 34 onwards. And we’ve the small matter of the Top 100 Clubs poll results (page 49). Where did your favourites place this year?
Carl Loben
Editor