The Generation X Files

Recently, I’ve read a lot of discussion about whether life was better in the 90’s. The consensus is usually yes.

It’s hard to remember the past without becoming nostalgic. You remember all the good things that happened during that time and try to forget the bad. I think people remember the 90’s as simpler times.

Maybe it comes from the fact that people are feeling a little overwhelmed with the speed of life in 2025. I remember that decade as being a good time to be alive. But, I wouldn’t say life was better then.

For me, it depends on which part. I bounced into the 90’s with all the enthusiasm of a 15-year-old kid. I slunk out of them vowing never to vote again. I’d felt stupid for falling for empty words and a catchy anthem.

One thing I think was better back then was the music. And some of my comic book heroes – but don’t get me started on that! It’s not that I don’t like music after that time, there’s definitely been some good music since.

But, in the UK, in the early 90’s, there was a whole sub-culture that came to be known as the ‘rave scene’. And that’s when I had some of the most fun times in my life.

I turned 50 this year in August and for months before, my friends and loved ones were asking what I’d like to do for it. I’m not usually that bothered about birthdays if I’m honest but, this one was the big one! I didn’t want to do the traditional things to celebrate like a nice meal or a party. I really wanted to go to a rave – like the old days! But, they’ve long been a thing of the past.

I just wanted to dance and jump around to the music again. And feel the sense of joy we all shared as we moved to the beats as one. Lost in the moment and guided by the DJ’s pace.

One of my favourite bands at the time was The Prodigy. I never got to see them live back then but always wanted to. As luck would have it…..they’re touring this year and were performing not far from me at the end of July. Perfect! We bought our tickets in May and were excited for our second, second summer of love.

It was 1994 when their album Music for the Jilted Generation was released. It was their second studio release and I couldn’t wait to buy it. Finally, after 31 years, I’d finally get to be a part of The Prodigy Experience. And I was ready to party like it was 199……4. The rave days were over but the vibe would surely be the same. You know what you’re getting with the Prodigy. I thought.

It was worth the wait!!! Honestly, you should have seen me! I was throwing shapes I haven’t made since my early twenties! I sweated so much it was as if I’d showered fully clothed! I did indeed “dance like nobody’s watching”.

Nobody was.

It was already dark when it started. But, even with a laser show lighting up the night sky like it was daytime, my eyes were drawn to the rows of ghostly glowing hands; lit by the phones being held up to record.

Hardly anyone was dancing. It wasn’t what I was expecting….the Prodigy are known for their energetic live shows. Here was a sea of people standing still. We’d actually gone in late so we could find some space at the edge to have room to jump about. A (rare) sensible decision from our years of experience in our youth.

If you went to the front in the old days of rave it’s because you wanted to feel the bass fill your body through the speakers. You were pumped by the energy of the crowd. You felt it.

To be recording it instead of being part of it was just completely missing the point. In fact, it was actually ironic.

The “jilted generation” is my peer group. I was one of the disaffected youth who felt let down by my government that the “music” was written for. Back in the days when I thought you could vote things better if your side got in.

It was released soon after the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act was passed. I was a student at the time and I remember the protests against it and signing petitions to try to stop it. I think it was the fist time I really understood the meaning of the term ‘nanny state‘.

I didn’t support politicians making laws on the basis of judging people for what they did in their free time.

The Act made it illegal to host events with “repetitive beats”; a broad enough term to include and effectively outlaw the rave and dance music scene.

Making it illegal didn’t stop it completely. Instead the scene fragmented.

Some raves moved to smaller, secret locations and became more discreet to avoid the police.

Others were promoted and hosted in more traditional nightclub settings. The culture…..diluted. Monetized and sanitized with not much left of the original vibe that had made it so appealing in the first place. Liam Howlett wrote Music for the Jilted Generation in part as a commentary on that.

And, more importantly to me, it was a protest anthem against the new Act. “F*** them, and their law!” became the rallying cry……

It still resonates deep inside me.

It can’t be recorded on a phone.

Citizen Jane x