Durban - More music festival than club scene, the first raves were held in open fields and obscure warehouses in the ’80s.
But this was no farmers’ market – drug dealers monopolised the party and gave rave the reputation it’s always had.
Until now.
The morning sober rave, otherwise known as awakenings, is the latest trend in wellness.
From Amsterdam to Bangalore, Leeds to Los Angeles, and Melbourne to Munich, morning-rave culture finally justifies PJs in the daytime. (Although bizarre costumes of all sorts are a cornerstone of the phenomenon as well.)
It’s a start to the day like no other.
Most begin at 6am and look and feel exactly like a night-time rave, complete with lasers and weird get-ups, but there are no drugs or alcohol.
Coffee is probably the only stimulant you’re going to find and that’s if you’re lucky. Smoothies and other “health” foods are the order of the day.
Some of the best DJs in the world have played at these sunrise events which are open to everyone, from infants to the elderly.
In some cities, the sometimes structured sometimes freestyle or maybe even yoga-inspired dance floor workout is seen as an innovative alternative to those dreaded 7am gym classes.
After all, there’s plenty of research to back up the benefits of dance.
Morning Gloryville, which started in London in 2013, is widely considered the party pioneer.
The brainchild of two hardcore clubbers – events producer, Samantha Moyo, and bodywork therapist, Nico Thoemmes – the first of these morning raves was held in East London in the UK and was attended by about 100 people.
Since then Morning Gloryville has been in 24 cities worldwide with the likes of Basement Jaxx and Fatboy Slim choosing to support the drink-and drug-free dance initiative.
In New York, Daybreaker leads the pack. Started by long-time friends, Matthew Brimer and Radha Agrawal, who were bored with the nightlife scene, Daybreaker turned the club experience on its head by throwing health conscious am parties every two weeks and at different venues.
A year later and Daybreaker was attracting between 400 and 600 people an event, and its parties spread across the country to San Francisco and LA.
Morning Gloryville prefers venues in natural light, while Daybreaker is usually held in clubs and on boats.
Fitness-freak.com is another London outfit, but there are many.
International broadcasters, such as CNN and the BBC, have all offered a take on the endorphin-driven concept.
In Cape Town, the shared workspace Twenty Fifty in Buitenkant was among the first to host morning raves in South Africa.
It described its AM Mayhem as “where the gym meets the jam”.
Likely the first for Durban, The Morning Rave will take place at the urban regeneration space, Eight Morrison Street, on February 27.
The family-friendly, early-morning exercise party will be led by super-charged fitness and dance gurus, Selwyn Rautenbach and Clinton Green, of Statik.
The high-tempo beats and moves will be driven by Durban electronica artists, Veranda Panda, and The Kiffness, of Cape Town.
While juices and smoothies are standard, local foodies Chilli Chocolate Chefs hope to up the game with a full offering at their health bar.
“It’s an ideal event for Durban,” says event organiser, Liam Magner.
“Outdoor activities and fitness movements are popular as our climate is highly conducive and you’ll find that most clubbers are pretty health and body conscious these days, anyway. Most aren’t looking for a hazy, drunken scene.
“The best thing about a morning rave is that it’s for the whole family, as without any substance abuse it’s a safe, happy environment.
“That said, expect nothing but the most radical and outlandishly awesome soundtracks.
“You can dress up or down; it’s really just an opportunity to experience a global phenomenon and just get wild, get fit and have fun all before rush hour even begins.”
Rautenbach says: “If you’re into fitness this is a great opportunity to turn up the tempo on your exercise routine.
“When you exercise, your brain releases various chemicals such as endorphins. Dance does this and more.
The music and the movement will leave you energised for the rest of the day. Think of it as a healthy high.”
* Tickets to The Morning Rave at Eight Morrison Street in Durban on February 27 are R100 a person at Computicket, with free entry to under 12s. The early bird special is R80, on the first 300 tickets sold.
The first guy at the door in a Speedo gets in free.
Daily News