Rave New World: Confessions of a Raving Reporter

by Kirk Field

*NEW EXTENDED MIX EDITION FEATURING EXTRA CHAPTERS*

Nominated for Audiobook of the Year at the 2024 ARIAS Awards

'Love this book! It triggers so many memories of the rave era. Thoroughly recommended.' - FATBOY SLIM

'Captures the hedonism and humour of the nineties with a laugh-out-loud honesty. The perfect Ibiza holiday read...if you can get it through customs!' - JUDGE JULES

'Some great stories from those early rave days. Really made me giggle.' - CARL COX

As a humble barman at the M25 Orbital raves, Kirk Field witnessed the moment acid house exploded. Inspired by media lies to start writing the truth about what he saw unfolding, Kirk became a 'raving' reporter for the clubbers' bible Mixmag, covering the historic parties from the inside and sending sweat-soaked dispatches from distant dancefloors as the scene expanded across Europe and beyond.

With a cast of characters including Diego Maradona, Timothy Leary, the KLF, Michael Eavis, Genesis P-Orridge, Brigitte Nielsen, Boris Yeltsin, Boy George, Saddam Hussein's wife, the president of Tunisia, the CIA, the KGB, Dave Courtney, Norman Lamont's dominatrix and even Her Majesty the Queen, Kirk's whirlwind account of the golden age of clubbing tells the story of what really happened in the 'naughty '90s', exposing the seedy underbelly of rave culture while also capturing the nostalgic spirit of the era.

Told through a mixture of vivid first-person narrative, surreal insider anecdotes and incisive social commentary, this honest, hilarious and uncensored postcard of hedonism will appeal to anyone who's ever put their hands in the air like they just don't care.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Cultural, History, Sociology

298 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 22, 2023

About the author

Kirk Field was Mixmag’s first rave-focused journalist and was embedded in the scene, initially as a bar-man but soon an in-the-field reporter.

Reviews

[Nigeyb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was never a raver but lived through the era, and despite pushing 30 during the second Summer of Love, enjoyed the music and attended a few events.

Kirk Field was there from the early orbital raves in fields and warehouses, through the birth of the dance scene in Ibiza, and beyond.

Kirk was employed as a barman at the M25 Orbital raves and was there to witness the moment Acid House exploded. He was inspired by sensationalist tabloid distortions to start writing the truth about what he saw so became MixMag's "raving reporter" covering parties from the inside and sending sweat-soaked dispatches from UK dance floors and then across Europe and the rest of the world.

He shares some fantastic stories which place the reader in the centre of those early days of DJ culture. Going to Glastonbury and having to write a review for Mixmag despite missing every bit of music is very amusing, likewise the press junket for a club opening on Ibiza. He has numerous splendid anecdotes and is a natural storyteller.

I have read a few accounts of the history of the rave scene and Rave New World: Confessions of a Raving Reporter is right up there with the very best.

4/5

[Pete Judge · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good book that was very enjoyable. Best bit was of course about the acid house era - made me wish I was there. Worst bit was when he mentioned Keir Starmer, took me right out of it. Great book though

[Amari · Rating 5 out of 5]

These stories are unhinged and I loved every single one. It's a fun read, but also a bit of education on the history of house music. Would recommend it to any music lover.

[Laureena Mardini · Rating 4 out of 5]

"We're never gonna survive unless we get a little crazy."

Field doesn’t guide you gently into his world... he throws you into it, asking you to adapt your perception to the fragmented narration, the rollercoaster of the chapters, and the disorganised rhythms. The book can feel difficult to anchor at first, but once you surrender that need for linear coherence, the book unfolds into something vivid and alive. This is the key to the book's charm ;)

Rave New World only keeps escalating in beauty and madness, enriching the imagination with vibrant scenes, lively tones, and mind-opening stories. It carries a kind of chaotic, almost ADHD-like energy, jumping from one story to another...

What stands out most is that Field writes as a conscious raver. His approach to drugs, especially his emphasis on harm reduction, is essential to the book. He openly acknowledges both the potential and the risks, leaning toward MDMA and psychedelics for their therapeutic and connective qualities, while being critical of substances like alcohol, cocaine, and ketamine. Sleep, hydration, and creative integration through writing and dancing become grounding tools throughout his journey, even within the wildest moments.

This is where Rave New World becomes more than a collection of wild experiences. It's a reflection on how altered states, music, and collective experience can open pathways to connection, healing, and self-discovery... while also demanding awareness and care... It's about the world ravers dance for.

I usually struggle with works that don’t build context in a way I expect, but this was a rare exception. Despite - or because of - its loose and fragmented structure, it remains deeply enjoyable and immersive.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is into or even just curious about the rave scene :)

[Gabrielle Dixon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun memoir of Kurt's life as a key facet of the acid and ambient house scene in 90's London and Europe. Kurt begins with his very first E at his very first rave, and builds a picture of how the scene blossomed despite of and alongside history. From the Acid House Party Bill curtailing the legality of parties in the UK to the Soviet Union's state-sponsored charity rave, this is a really fun history from someone who seems to have been there, done all of that. As someone in their 20's enjoying the new wave of raves and festivals, this series of (barely believable!) anecdotes is so insightful to a legacy I can see reflected at parties today.

[Matthew Hanson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid and interesting exploration of the 90s (and beyond) rave scene.

Part biography, part social history; it never quite crosses over into either.

However, it’s fun, entertaining, full of interesting stories (who knows how true some of them are!) that allow any hedonist to easily relate.

Discussions of current drug policy and drug developments seem some what tacked on at the end and could easily have been given further room to breathe given the authors experiences.

[James Belbin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book. I’m a few years younger than Kirk but started reading mixmag in 89 when it hit the shelves. Spent 20 years+ raving so a lot of the tales resonated in a beautiful way. If each generation has its Keith Moon, Antony Kiedis or Danny Sugarman then maybe acid house has Kirk Field. Keen to go see him talk in November 24.

If you like rave culture this is a fun read.

[Michelle Walsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing story of the scene from a first person perspective. Kirk really translates the times, the music, the feelings, the people and vibes. The Rave scene never really went away. It is reborn and still as vibrant. We are all just a bit older. Reminiscing through this book was a journey we needed. A reminder of freedom through music.

[Marcus Andersson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn’t get through this. I didn’t learn anything about the history of dance music from a music-critical standpoint and the writing wasn’t engaging enough to place me anywhere. I don’t understand whom this is meant to entertain/ for whom it’s written. Maybe for those who attended the raves and want to reminisce through the vehicle of a book? I wouldn’t recommend!

[Fabian Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic.

Funny, interesting, and informative piece really getting into the heart of the scene from day 1.

Throughout it’s full of great stories, all sorts of surprises, and manages to end with a really important message.

Made me think of my parents lived through this and how different the current rave experience is, in many ways for worse:(

[Shayley Blair · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a lazy armchair party-in-a-book, the next best thing to being there. Kirk Field pulls the effect off like the musical-journalism pro he truly is, immersing us into the adventures of a relentlessly unstoppable, ongoing rave-phase in a long, bouncy non-stop dance of words!

[Rob · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lively tour through a wild period, told by a veteran promoter, performer and sometime writer of rave words. Fun. Although, mostly because I know most of the events or performers in question. Mileage may vary for the unfamiliar

[Sarah Whitton · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the stories, all the capers, all the memories. Such a fun read, all the funny name mix ups just mad me wants to go back and feel 19 again where as well as being wild, it was totally innocent. Just fabulous.

[Matt Akersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's fantastic, lots of awesome entertaining anecdotes from the '9os UK rave scene.

[Andrzej Perkins · Rating 2 out of 5]

Started off well, but veered into page after page of name-dropping and became unreadable.

[Al Redman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many great stories and insights into UK Rave culture from the warehouse to its commercialisation.

Great audiobook, lots of character and humour.

[Louise Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read made me have some reminders of poignant moments throughout my raving days the mood and vibe is set perfectly

[Ella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me wish I was around in the 90s...

A celebration of nightlife and raving, and what good it can bring to your life

[Debbie Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book, loads of stories of how the rave scene started, I really enjoyed it and would recommend😊

[Caroline Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brought back lots of memories of a fun filled youth in the 90s

[Laura Millward · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea how this book made me nostalgic for a time I wasn't even alive for... this was a great read that I would recommend to anyone interested in rave culture!

[Anwyn Brook-Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a fantastic book for anyone who partakes in the “rave” scene!! Really really cool and I felt like I was with him throughout his storytelling

[Cassie]

l

[Darcy McNuggs · Rating 3 out of 5]

Born too late

[Katarzyna Rainer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting but have mixed feelings about this book.

[Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An insightful ‘boots on the ground’ account of the ‘89 acid house scene and the emergence of rave culture in the UK. The anecdotes are authentic and don’t feel overly exaggerated or glamorized for the reader. A fun read for anyone who wants to understand the genesis of UK dance culture and its underground beginnings.

[Chloe Innes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Epic. Loved the songs in each chapter really took me to the moment. Highlighted how much I love acid house.

[Craig Paxton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If old-school had a Headmaster..

An incredibly accurate, nostalgic and humorous look back at the genesis of the rave scene. I laughed out loud at several points during, and found myself reminiscing about times and events that were very similar to my own experiences of the time. The people, the parties, the music, the adventures and the mishaps.. there's something for everyone who Raved in the 90's. Can definitely recommend, and hope there's a follow up to come!

[Lewis Munro · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nothing new.. same old summer of love, “pills were stronger back in my day” stories.