Exodus Collective
Encyclopedia
The Exodus Collective are largely recognised as one of the UK's leading examples of a `DIY' community (see DIY culture), providing practical and challenging `downside-up' solutions to social exclusion. Their free community dance events (see free party
), social housing projects and city farm have gained recognition and high praise from all around the world.
The effective start of the Exodus free party scene began on 5 June 1992 when DJ Hazad and some friends, using equipment reclaimed from a skip, promoted a free party in the woods near Dunstable
by word of mouth in local pubs. Raising money through donations, at the first and subsequent parties, and reinvesting in equipment the size of the sound system and attendance grew rapidly from 150 originally to 10,000 by the end of 1992.
Parties by Exodus continued and gained popularity. Putting on free parties most weekends in the grounds of their collective home and then putting on larger parties attracting thousands every few weeks, in quarries, woods and other beautiful country spots. Usually following the line of Jungle or Drum and Bass at night and then Techno once the sun had risen, Exodus spearheaded the UK dance music scene for over a decade. The parties were arrived at by convoy, which assembled in an industrial estate and then moved slowly into an empty warehouse or open land. The convoy was led by military vehicles, including army-type lorries and a small reconnaissance tank. Local police, largely following a containment/management strategy, allowed Exodus marshals to take over road traffic management, to avoid traffic chaos.
A social paradox in that to many outsiders, Exodus was a concern of crime and disorder, it has actually been well documented that crime rates were significantly reduced in nearby towns Luton and Bedford when the free parties were being held.
Free party
A free party is a party "free" from the restrictions of the legal club scene, similar to the free festival movement. It typically involves a sound system playing electronic dance music from late at night until the time when the organisers decide to go home. A free party can be composed of just one...
), social housing projects and city farm have gained recognition and high praise from all around the world.
The effective start of the Exodus free party scene began on 5 June 1992 when DJ Hazad and some friends, using equipment reclaimed from a skip, promoted a free party in the woods near Dunstable
Dunstable
Dunstable is a market town and civil parish located in Bedfordshire, England. It lies on the eastward tail spurs of the Chiltern Hills, 30 miles north of London. These geographical features form several steep chalk escarpments most noticeable when approaching Dunstable from the north.-Etymology:In...
by word of mouth in local pubs. Raising money through donations, at the first and subsequent parties, and reinvesting in equipment the size of the sound system and attendance grew rapidly from 150 originally to 10,000 by the end of 1992.
Parties by Exodus continued and gained popularity. Putting on free parties most weekends in the grounds of their collective home and then putting on larger parties attracting thousands every few weeks, in quarries, woods and other beautiful country spots. Usually following the line of Jungle or Drum and Bass at night and then Techno once the sun had risen, Exodus spearheaded the UK dance music scene for over a decade. The parties were arrived at by convoy, which assembled in an industrial estate and then moved slowly into an empty warehouse or open land. The convoy was led by military vehicles, including army-type lorries and a small reconnaissance tank. Local police, largely following a containment/management strategy, allowed Exodus marshals to take over road traffic management, to avoid traffic chaos.
A social paradox in that to many outsiders, Exodus was a concern of crime and disorder, it has actually been well documented that crime rates were significantly reduced in nearby towns Luton and Bedford when the free parties were being held.
External links
- http://tash.gn.apc.org/exodus3.htm
- http://soundcloud.com/jimmyj-1/01-exodus-1998-clophill-sandpit