The atmosphere is not as overheated as it was thirty years ago, when 2,000 revelers had squatted all night long at Fort de Champigny, located in Chennevières.
But electro music remains at the center of the cultural event organized this Saturday, in Champigny, to celebrate the 30 years of what is still considered the very first rave party in France.
With “[electronic] dream”, the organizers promise “a funny afternoon in perspective, filled with exceptional sensory experiences, for all audiences.
The curious have an appointment with B2BK (Bertrand de Becque) for interactive digital projections and installations, even with movement sensors for children and adults.
A DJ set on 3D seabed images
In the evening, Arnaud L'Aquarium is planning a DJ set on 3D seabed images, while the documentary film “Ex-Taz Citizen Cash” will also be screened, which devotes part of its images to the Champigny rave party.
And to remember the event of thirty years ago as it should be, visitors will be able to meet Manu Casana.
This pioneer, who had discovered these crazy evenings around electro music in London, was one of the organizers of the Campine raves of 1990.
The Fort de Champigny, located in Chennevières, welcomed 2,000 revelers for this first rave party in France.
LP / Laure Parny
"It brings back beautiful memories and beautiful moments of freedom," recalls Manu Casana, organizer of this anniversary which, initially, was to take place in September 2020. The Covid has imposed its pace. "And thirty years later, we are far from freedom, that's the reality", notes, without any nostalgia, this eternal lover of electronic music, a pioneer in his field, who had attracted revelers from Tout-Paris to the Fort from Champigny. Today, he defines himself as a “militant painter”.
“We had brought in DJs still unknown to Parisians, installed two bars and especially powerful speakers, remembers Manu Casana.
The first electro music radio station, Maxximum, promoted the evening and organized a shuttle bus system between Nation and Fort de Champigny.
More than 2,000 people were able to enter, some by paying the necessary 50 francs (7.5 euros), others by finding one of the back doors of the former military site.
“It was dancing everywhere, from the basements and into every corner, insists Manu Casana.
The people were happy.
"
"At the time, we were far from imagining what we could do"
The police, faced with such a crowd, did not intervene.
“They stuck a head and then left.
The party was spent in peace, smoothly, laughs Manu Casana before adding, bitter: Today, the police would break everything as they did in Brittany a few months ago!
"
Behind him, the bass shakes the windows.
This situation has not changed, unlike the material which has completely evolved.
“At the time, we were far from imagining what we could do”, seems to be amazed by Olivier Le Castor, still behind the decks thirty years after these two legendary evenings.
In front of him, a dancer directs with his arm, via sensors, a school of fish projected on the wall.
Without it, the fish follow the rhythm of the music.
The good old turntables have been replaced by digital turntables but the intention remains the same, namely to dance the night away.
Rêve [electronic] this Saturday, until 10:30 pm, at the Jean-Vilar cultural center, 52, rue Pierre-Marie-Derrien in Champigny.
Free entry for all ages.
