New exhibition features the 80s and 90s clubs and clubbers that made Liverpool’s rave scene

A new exhibition of photographs and memorabilia celebrates the clubs and clubbers who made Liverpool’s rave scene so huge in the ‘80s and ‘90s.

Rave On at the Open Eye Gallery has been curated by Ezra McConachie and supported by the Museum of Youth Culture.

It’s all about the places, people and community in the city which had such a lasting impact on rave culture.

The exhibition has three different elements: a display of photography by Mark McNulty, scanned memorabilia such as flyers, ticket stubs and photos from the people who experienced the dancefloors first-hand, and a short film featuring footage from Quadrant Park alongside the memories of three clubbers from back in the day.

Ezra explains: “The first component is a selection of Mark’s photos from 1989 through to 1999, from places like 051, Daisy raves, Voodoo, Garlands, Quadrant Park and Cream. 

“It really wasn’t the done thing for people to have cameras in nightclubs at the time so we’re really lucky that photographers like Mark did because they’ve got brilliant images people love to see.

 “We also have submissions from the public which came in response to a call-out from Museum of Youth Culture at the end of last year. Lots of people were more than happy to send things in and tell their stories, so we scanned in everything and we’ve chosen a selection. 

“Alongside those are some images of Quadrant Park from the Queue Up And Dance project which is a collaboration between Sefton Libraries, Rule of Threes Arts and artists Dave Evans and Melissa Kains.”

Ezra says the third part of the exhibition is a short film that’s been made in partnership with One Day at a Time Boys, a project working with adult men in recovery which is based in Damien John Kelly House in Wavertree.

“One Day at a Time Boys is a fantastic outlet for people going through recovery to be able to make art and be involved in creative projects,” adds Ezra.  “The short film has restored footage from inside Quadrant Park and interviews with three guys at the house, two current residents and one former resident.

“They all used to go clubbing in Liverpool and have vivid memories about what it was like at the time, so this is them telling their stories.”

Rave On launches on Thursday February 6, between 5pm and 7pm, it’s free to see and runs until March 19. 

Ezra hopes this is just the beginning.  “It’s an ongoing project, for myself and Museum of Youth Culture. We really hope this is the catalyst to move on and do a bigger wider-scale exhibition on rave involving more submissions.

“It’s something that I really believe in and I think it’s something that’s good for the city. A lot of the narrative around rave at that time is heavily focused on London and Manchester and Liverpool deserves a lot more credit. 

“This highlights the part that Liverpool played, especially for young people who maybe aren’t as aware of all of the amazing things that happened, and how people from around the world came here because Liverpool in the ‘90s was the place to be.

“It brings people together and that was the key thing. People met at that time who are still friends or partners, and places like Quadrant Park, Cream, and Garlands don’t go away. Rave culture and those memories are still a massive thing for people who were there and experienced it.”

Rave On is at Open Eye Gallery, Mann Island, in the atrium space from 6 February – 19 March, 10.00am – 5.00pm, Tuesday – Sunday.

Find more events across Liverpool City Region here.