Exodus Free Party rave Collective Profile 1993

Exodus was formed in June 1992 by a collective of about a dozen people and kicked off with their first rave in a cave in a forest in Dunstable with 150 people. It wasn’t long before their events were pulling in 4,000 strong. As each week went by, the sound system was being built bigger and bigger. Caesar’s Palace, at the Woodside Industrial Estate, were the regular meeting points, where hundreds of cars packed with ravers would wait for details of where the rave was going to be held. The convoys to the raves were led by members of the collective in a military style – with green LandRovers and members in combat style clothing with a tribal face paint.

Being based in the Luton area, Exodus have held their events mainly within the Bedfordshire area. The motto of Exodus is Peace, Love, Unity and Struggle. Similar to the old hippy motto, you may think but the hippies were not prepared to struggle.

Struggle is a word which holds great values within the collective of Exodus, for they have all had to struggle since day one. Glenn took me around many of the council estates in Luton where he and many of the others grew up. I soon got to realise that Glenn was no different from you or I.

Unemployment and having nowhere to live is an all too familiar story amongst many of the collective. They have been forced by society to take for themselves and this has included squatting in disused premises. The most famous probably being “The was raided on January 30th, by the police when they launched code name, ‘Anagram’. Whilst preparing to leave for what was hoped to be their last illegal rave, 36 members of the collective were ambushed by over 100 police in riot equipment, complete with dogs and video cameras. The following morning all 36 were released without charge.

As for the scene at the moment, Glenn explained that the big name organisations intentions, is to make money, whereas Exodus focus their aims on putting on events for people to enjoy themselves. He went on to explain that Exodus isn’t a black thing and isn’t a white thing, it’s about black and white coming together as one.

I visited squats and spoke to many squatters. Far from the media’s image of tramps, and alcoholics sitting there with their needles in their arm charged out of their heads, it’s nothing like that. These are real people, young and old who have been rejected by society through no fault of their own. With the help of Exodus they have learned to live again by getting involved in community projects. Many work during the day at the Long Meadow World Community Free farm. They are creating something from nothing, indeed confirming that Exodus are the movement of the positive people.

Now To The Future

Exodus undoubtedly held some of the greatest underground events throughout 92 and 93. Their sound system hammers out a Jungle/Techno style tribal beat with a dub influence, and their following is stronger than many big name organisations. In fact, one week Exodus pulled in more than double the attendance of Luton Town F.C. who happened to be playing at the same time.

Now in 1994, Exodus are taking the new approach for they have just submitted an application for a 23,850sq. ft. warehouse at 35-39 Bolton Road, Luton. This will mean a set fee of £5 for all night parties and a possibility of getting the country’s first all night license for over sixteens. Imagine that eh!!

Gaining this license will keep many of the youngsters off the street and hence cut down on crime in the area, so it’s no surprise that Exodus have won the support of the local council.