Interview from 1992.  Why?

Elevation: 'We looked at the whole rave scene, and to get a foothold in the market we realised that whilst we couldn't complete with all the huge mega rave, we could provide a value for money event, for half the cost that some others were charging.

We cut cost to keep the price down but never taking the money from the line-up or the production.  We did us a less reputable sound company once for an event , but were not happy with the result so we ended up putting some of the fees behind the bar so people could have free drinks in compensation at the expense of the sound man!   We also do a lot of the flying our selves,  partly to save money but also because we love it and want to stay in tune with the ravers.

We  have avoided running any weekly clubs as it is a specialist market. There's only a handful of people who can do it well.   We get excited by the one-offs.  Our Good Friday event was the one that we enjoyed the most - everything seemed to run smoothly and the atmosphere was incredible.  But then at The Payback we had the problem that we completely misjudge the response.  We checked with all the ticket agents on the Friday lunch time and the ticket sales were slow, but when we checked again, late afternoon it had gone completely mad with loads of outlets selling out. 

We've learnt our lesson now.  On the night there were about 2000 people without tickets outside of the venue, (which was filled to capacity) and those outside (and some 300 ticket holders) had to be dispersed in the interest of safety.  We did honour  those tickets, by full refunds and priority entrance to the next event.  The Paybacks are always rammed, but then if you charge less than a tenner fro a proper line-up, its going to be popular.

What makes a good rave?
Elevation: "One thing only - ravers that are ready to rave. The ravers count first - not whether we make an money."

Do you Rave yourself?
Elevation: "Yes, and definitely at our events.  Probably 80-90% of the people there know who we are and we get on the mic and on the decks,    We have total respect for any organisation that keeps the cost down and provides for the raver and our personal favourite music be Reincarnation at Herne Bay - always a safe night out!"

Elevation Events

Showtime 91 (25 May 91)
Showtime 91 Part II (29 Jun 91)
Showtime 91 Part III (+ Volatile State) (16 Aug 91)
Showtime 91 (+ Volatile State) (2 Nov 91)
Pay Back (31 Dec 91)
Showtime 92 - Chapter II (9 May 92)
Dance Elevation (+ Dance With Feeling) (8 Oct 93)