Rave Mysticism: Kai Whiston and The Story of the New Age Travellers | Dazed

UK rave culture has come a long way since its beginnings in the late 80s. While today’s electronic music landscape is synonymous with corporate-sponsored festivals and big room line-ups, the roots of rave culture can be traced back to the grassroots and DIY generation. As genres like acid house swept across warehouses and abandoned factories in big cities like London and Manchester, a neo-hippy strand of rave music was simultaneously taking over the south west countryside, with groups like Bedlam and Spiral Tribe heading a new wave of sound systems and free parties.
In this exclusive short film, Dazed’s Günseli Yalcinkaya meets producer Kai Whiston to trace the lesser-known history of rave culture outside of Britain’s major cities.
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Dazed is a youth and pop culture publication covering fearless fashion, music, art, film, politics and ideas from 1991 to today’s bleeding edge. As the magazine continues to evolve, our channel is a place to explore visionary ideas, unexpected collaborations and iconic storytelling through fun, original programming including series, tutorials, short films and insightful documentaries. Tapping into a new global optimism and inspired by the pop trailblazers that made Dazed possible, we spotlight the new youth movements making permanent positive change. Declare Independence.

[@lilithdesignsbyhelzbelz]

💚✌️💚✌️🥰 big up Dazed. Big up the New age traveller community, the peace convoy & the original ravers & Gunseli. Kai obviously too!!!

[@diabolicalartificer]

I was part of this "story",. I've lived in benders, boats, trailers & buses, been at several evictions & wotnot. I knew a lot of the first people who lived on the road - Phil Shakey RIP, Helen the hat, Meekko, Pikey Pete amongst many others. The first time I went on site will stay with me forever. The smell of woodsmoke on an Autumn day, I'm back there. Looking back, my views & opinions are more nuanced. There were good sites, & bad sites, especially later on. The good where there was a great sense of community, the bad where most on site were on heroin & Special Brew. Not all New Age Travellers were peaceful or respectful, let's be truthful, it wasn't a Utopia, but for many in the late 70's & 80's who couldn't get a job, were on £30 a week dole, living in cities & towns that were decimated by mass unemployment & the de-industrialisation of Britain & Thatchers government, it gave you a choice; a choice to live life on your own terms, an alternative. If you could get the cash together to buy a bus, lorry or a small van, nick a tarp & cut some bender poles it was better than atrophying in urban waste. However, a lot us were naive & living in a bloody dream world. Don't think many of us thought about how the locals felt where we parked up. Let's face it a lot us looked very different to the man in the street. I remember one Beltane in 82 on a site in Leicestershire looking at all the people coming on site and being gobsmacked, it WAS The Lord of The Rings on LSD! Dreads are common now, not back then, especially in rural England, it's still very conservative 40 years later. I remember going on site in 1986 & was a bit freaked out when I heard house music playing: gone were Hawkwind, Ozrics, The Groundhogs, Culture Shock etc. Didn't like house/rave then, don't like it now much. The raves sealed the fate of the "New Age" travelling scene, the government could no longer "ignor" New Age Travellers, especially as by then there wasn't the same ethos of leaving a clean site, it got heavy, gangsters, guns & shit. Most of the old crew went abroad, to Portugal, Spain or anywhere you could get a bit of land cheap and not have hassle all the time from the gavvers. That or got a house. Bit of a long one there, didn't mean it to be so long but thought the video content merited it, put it on the record so to speak. Now, 40 years later people are buying vans cos there isn't a bloody alternative. Working "respectable" people with jobs can't afford to rent in Bristol or wherever. I'm nearly 60 now, soon it looks like I'll have to go back on the road because I have no alternative in 2020 something, but me backs buggered, had a bike smash & I'm not twenty anymore. Back then it was easy to get council accommodation, go to Uni or college - fees paid, loads of sources to get a cheap bus, trailer or lorry, that isn't the case now. Ce la vie, time keeps on slipping into the future an all that. Ali om, om Siva, cor the drom, good luck.

[@user-qp6uk7bw6z]

Same sentiments bro , they were lovely daze until the rave scene , were all refugees , the roads the only place we knew , lots of love stay strong

[@mrkeeny]

@@user-qp6uk7bw6z the ravers weren’t the problem , it was the criminal gangs that followed and some of the ‘new age’ travelers were complete wromg’uns.

[@partydread]

could have written almost exact same words man - you mentioned Helen the Hatt, saw her very recently alive and kicking, bless

[@Sol-Cutta]

You're a lot earlier than me, I only started following festies in 91 and only til 93. I had plaits before I actually went to a festie and stepping on everyone looked so natural and part of the surroundings and environment , tripping everyone had always looked plastic and robotic to me, the travellers were the first people I ever saw who looked like they should be on earth. So I did my hair in dreads with a girls help and had them for 25years. I was 19 in 90. What used to annoy me was that everytime we sat and talked convo would quickly turn to society and how it should be over run to be made better (in reality swapping one set of rulers for another but still living a kind of capitalist ideology) all I ever heard was society can go shag itself and we want nothing to do with it...week later and everyone was collecting benefits, and bitten by one of the dogs heading to the hospital.😂 This hippo critical entitlement did my head in and I had to leave the scene. As much as I disliked society it just seemed so I'm not sure but I was young - myself I had skirted along the edge of society my entire time from about 17 onwards and was of the opinion that no matter what u attempted , society can't really function much different from how it does, more fairly perhaps but it couldn't just be replaced with a entirely new system and anyway no one had a clue what that new system would be apart from everything in their favour, like the french revolution 😂. I knew how to use the system as I got more and more experienced with it. Not to say I didn't meet some characters, I had a great time, very romantic and in my head it was a strange cross of robin hood, the Larkin's, tim Leary and hallucinogens and other romantic idealised fantasy, I had always vowed to head back to the lifestyle but after the criminal justice act I just never made it back. I regret that somewhat.

[@Sol-Cutta]

Just read the entire of your comment, I wrote my own when I got to your naming your friends..yes this is same for me , I'm 52 now , in bad health that means no way could I live the outdoor life again. I was a bit too temperamental for it in 91 really..now I was opposite to you..I had been a breakdancer in 84+ listening to electros, in 86 I got into house the acid and acid parties then 90 rave, I had 4 friends who were travellers (in my family we also had Romany travellers who called us blind 😂 constantly calling the lifestyle we had chosen) they introduced me to hawkwind and the likes..a strange coincidence that in 87 I had two Indians tattooed on my inner arm at the 'elbow' position, I just liked the look of them, looking a bit dopey...found out years later they were from ozric album 😂 I had always had 'hippie' leanings and got plaits as said in other comment , and we went to a few static sites where travellers were staying ( in lincs/Wisbech at Danny's (Daley) site , sure u must have met him and remember this black guy with dreads and a horse and gypsy wagon (U prob knew him) quizzing me about my hippie pretensions 😂😂😂 of course once I stepped on a real festival and Not strawberry faye which my festie pals took me on , I think in a effort to aclimatise me somewhat before before the real thing and to gauge my reaction loaded on acid at such places..anyway stepping on a real festie gave me the obvious culture shock reaction but I loved it and away we went..I'll never forget the band - cringe..no one else has a clue what I've been on about over the years as I've told a story of the lead singer sitting with us one aft before his set and how it was the most surreal experience. Saw some great bands but my focus was the rave tents, so was a odd exp for me as my friends completely accepted me for who I was and so id head off to rave tents on own then come back and the day would be spent with them watching festie bands and sitting at different fires and buses groups etc then off to raves in eve, burning self out quick smart but still going on.😂 As I said happy daze and like you I could reminise all day of my great adventures on and off the festies..🙏🙏🙏

[@reahp]

Among everything I've listened to, anything from Kai Whiston and Iglooghost just resonates with me in every kind of way, and I felt stuff I've never ever felt before. If one of their songs randomly come up in my ears, I have to go through the whole album again. Watching this documentary was a very fascinating insight in their influences and rave culture in general.

[@sophiaisabelle0227]

We appreciate your effort and hard work. God bless you all.

[@lilithdesignsbyhelzbelz]

Bless your heart 💚✌️

[@andy.miroirs]

Kai Whiston is amazing. He is a true artist, his work is so profound and his aesthetic so dramatic, yet clear and up to the point, i have rarely seen such a great work. He is an inspiration for me.

[@Pineapplejim]

Thank you for showing real artists!’

[@Pictman777]

Blessings to you Kai and everyone 🙏💚🙏

[@F1END.MEGALITHIC]

One love!

[@alexeteric5916]

I was drawn to Kai Whiston's music, something about it really hit me deeply. It's so unique and i love the persistent rule breaking of genres. After seeing this i love him even more, what a awesome video. Thanks

[@gaffysmenk]

That was good.. Nice one 👍.

[@davidoliver8671]

Big up Kai..always knew you would find a way ..if I may say,your dad would be so proud of you ..as am i too! One love..

[@Sol-Cutta]

We followed the festivals in 91-3.. torpedo town, portland free ,black hills, village idiots, green man, white godess, twisted tree, i used to be able to remember all the names of the festies i went to...i was raver too and my friends were new age travellers. Ian, johnny reggae , shane and roy harding, dean...they went to castle morton, it was the ONLY one i didnt go to and it was the wildest. I was 19 in 90. my head was strong and adventurous, now it would be in the shed 😂 happy daze that i fondly daydream about at times like this being reminded..i had this wonderful hat that was blown from my head lost in a field that had been with me 5yrs or more, it was a brown kiss me quick hat from seaside that turned inside out had this monty python, british bumbling farmer esq look to it like a 13th century bumpkin look..it was great.

[@newforestpixie5297]

having an excuse to drive over the hills to north dorset or somerset is always fabulous cos it’s a break from routine & daily responsibilities which is topped by a stop at win green to view everywhere between the mendips & the isle of wight- which from there looks totally unspoilt . it’s as though wincanton or verwood or snobby brockenhurst etc don’t even exist ! although I couldn’t escape full time back then I always spent as many days & nights at the stonehenge festivals from 81 to 84 which was easily the best feeling of my younger time in this world. good on those whom battled against daily prejudice & violence in england & to them who escaped to friendlier societies across the channel or north sea - & you guys for uploading this valuable documentation for nowadays & into the future 🏴❤️😁

[@yatzyart]

Cheers team, were still fighting the powers that BE!

[@bobroberts8264]

how have i only just found this god damnn!!!!, been listening to you for years mann, love your stufffff

[@vincerutter1921]

Brilliance

[@kaigogov5453]

I love this. Touched my heart.

[@lilithdesignsbyhelzbelz]

Mine too. My life, my Son. Blessings to Dazed.

[@lll000l00o]

Beautiful!

[@fantasticsituation9461]

that was beautiful

[@johncohan.mosh.5403]

Great work Kai.

[@analuciawild]

spiral tribe influence was massive in so many ways... and when they had to leave the uk, early 90's, and came down, they changed the scene for us in the south of Europe... the downside is always the same with the rave scene > H/ C + too much acid = burns people neurones

[@jesuschristimsoblueallthetime]

incredibile stuff ❤️

[@ShiniestMew]

Really enjoy ghosts music

[@philcudworth8491]

I'm still going, lets never stop 🙏✊😊

[@user-on5gp7it3i]

The irony of what a great mum Kia’s mum obv is ... considering we were so ‘bad’ ? Nice one n a great vid gives me hope

[@touriel8943]

I like Kai's effects. There was much about the so called Convoy I didnt like, but my years in a Super Vega were fine.

[@user-on5gp7it3i]

What a great guy Kai is ...One Love stay kind people 💛peace out

[@FrankieWildeDJ]

I recognise Kai's mum from Back in the early 90's. WDA, Spiral tribe and the free party scene in Dorset and surrounding areas. Meeting at the pier car park after 'Remix' and going off in convoys all over the south of England. I'm sure we crossed paths and shared story's at some point. She is also 8 days older than me, was a good year to be born.

[@mrkeeny]

Peace convoy, my arse. I was there, it was mental and full of the scariest criminals and wrong’uns. I loved it.

[@waynesilverman3048]

I 've read in festivalized book .The 'brew crew' used to batter you if u had a wash or wore suitable cloths ect

[@mrkeeny]

@@waynesilverman3048 i witnessed someone murdered by stab to back of neck, every crime imaginable and travelers burning down a power station causing millions of pounds of damage. The fire made a great backdrop for a rave though, crazy times!

[@richardpedley6291]

I was 15 wen i moved on the road 1990

[@Sol-Cutta]

Peace convoy, hi do u remember staying down sutton st.james , pitching up your teepee and buses on ians(sausage) site ?? bart simpsons ??

[@bethanyley]

amazing

[@TheLucidscreamz]

yeah we is /was the countre culture

[@breakbearrr]

sikk album

[@AuralVirus]

23 Your heart beat is illegal : do not dance to it !!

[@exspiravit_1104]

kai

[@eprohoda]

Yeah. unusual ~goodbye~😮

[@felicitytoad]

Armish county council odd bods

[@tonystravelsvlog]

Like the 60s hippy movement the rave scene was government controlled, and we thought we were free.

[@Hula_King]

As in the government enabled the free flow of drugs into the community to disempower.

[@Ieatfridays]

Yeah like, you know like, ok like, no its like, yeah like, like like like wtf like ! Some people are weird like 😂

[@shieldmcshieldy5750]

Read a book

[@AuralVirus]

can we like please ban like the like word "like" from like our speech like patterns? Its like really like vacuous like.

[@G4PX]

What a happy ending.☺️✌🏿💚🩷❤️🧡💛🖤🩶🤍

[@robertjarman4261]

Smellie people.Soap and water unknown.

[@dannylight7022]

You are out breath in your short that is coouple seconds long XD. Go outside