New rave book 'Members Only' explores the VIP side of acid house
Telling the story of a golden era through artefacts, some never seen before
A new coffee-table book showcasing the membership cards and passes from the acid house and UK rave periods will be released on September 1 2022.
Titled 'Members Only', the Velocity Press released book will feature over 500 items of memorabilia from the late 80s and 90s across 424 pages in an A-Z format.
In addition to contributions from legends like Joe Wieczorek (Labyrinth), Danny Rampling (Shoom), Justin Berkmann (Ministry Of Sound), and Sarah HB (Kiss FM), there are in-depth features and articles, including a rare Q&A with Jenni Rampling from Shoom, and an interview with the person who claims to have invented glow sticks.
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The book includes quotes from the pioneering event founders, DJs, MCs, PAs, designers and the ravers who were there at the time.
It features memorabilia from events and clubs such as Ministry of Sound,Rage, Eclipse, The Haçienda, Labyrinth, Amnesia House, Raindance, and Jungle Fever.
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While it showcases memorabilia from the 80s and 90s, the book's first artefact shown is a membership card that dates back to 1874.
Author and curator Rob Ford wanted to highlight how long exclusive invitations and passes such as the ones showed have been around, and the impact these objects have had on our social and partying experiences.
Throughout the 1980s, DJs in the acid house and subsequent rave scenes played acid house as it rose in popularity in the UK and continental Europe. Acid house entered the British mainstream in the late 1980s and had an impact on pop and dance music.
This book shows a different side to the scene, and explores how it rewarded committed members of the rave community.
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Speaking about the book, DJ Phantasy says: “For those who weren’t able to be there back in the day, this book gives us all a piece of rave history that we can hold in our hands.
"Much like flyers, little did we know, the membership cards and passes we got all those decades ago would end up having such a great story to tell of their own.”
People who pre-order the book are able to get it first in August and have their names printed in the book. Find out more about the book and pre-order it on the Velocity Press website here.
**Aneesa Ahmed is Mixmag's Digital Intern, follow her on* Twitter*