Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
World
David McLean

Legendary Edinburgh Rezerection rave captured in incredible 1992 footage

It was one of the craziest nights the capital ever witnessed and it was all caught on film.

The one-hour-long footage of the Rezerection rave event at Ingliston on May 23, 1992 is especially valuable for those who were there - particularly since memories will no doubt be a little hazy if they were doing it right.

At the time, Rezerection, which had started out as a club night in the north east of England in 1990, hosted the biggest rave events in the UK and people came from far and wide to attend them.

Dubbed 'The Castle', the May '92 Rezerection at Ingliston near Edinburgh Airport was one of the most ambitious yet, with elaborate stage scenery, featuring a mock medieval portcullis, and an improved light show with heavy strobe effects and lasers to complement the beats.

In what was an unusual move for a rave event, proceedings kicked off with a performance by the Queensferry Pipe Band, who had the 5,000-strong crowd revved up and chanting 'Scotland'.

Newcastle's DJ Bass Generator - resident DJ for the Rezerection rave events - was joined on stage by fellow DJ legends Andy Carroll and Carl Cox.

Sign up to our Edinburgh Live nostalgia newsletters for more local history and heritage content straight to your inbox

A string of pumping rave hits peppered the night, including bona fide Rezerection anthems Rhythm Quest's Closer To All Your Dreams, Sined Roza's I Don't Know What It Is and Let's Get Together by Synthesis.

Captured during what was rave's golden age, the footage shows Scottish fans going absolutely wild for the hardcore beats.

Many of those who were there on the night have shared their recollections of the event on YouTube.

While a fair number of the comments are unsuitable for publication, there are one or two reminiscences we can include.

One fan said: "Loved the early 90s. You just don't get the same atmosphere at events now.

"Even in Ibiza everyone is just standing about with their phones out rather than enjoying the moment and feeling the sounds."

A second person commented: "This was the best rave I ever went to - mind blowing. So grateful to be alive through all this."

A third person admitted: "I was at this - great to see it again as I don't remember much!"

Another ex-raver said: "I can't think of anything better at a Scottish rave than a load of bagpipers to walk out with the drummers to whip ye up into a frenzy."

Initially held within the 6,000-capactiy Lowland Hall at the Royal Highland Centre, Rezerection milestone was reach the following year, in August 1993, as the first outdoor Rezerection was staged at the Ingliston site.

Simply titled 'The Event', the massive outdoor rave extravaganza reached its zenith in 1995, when 16,500 people packed two huge arenas for what was the biggest dance event ever held in Scotland.

The final Rezerection event at Ingliston was held in May 1997 as the music scene shifted and the glory days of rave began to fizzle out.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.