Matt Stokes
Matt Stokes, Untitled, 2003, mixed media, installation at Friar House, Newcastle upon Tyne
Matt Stokes is involved in an ongoing investigation into the history of Out House Promotions, a defunct rave organisation consisting of four friends from around Lake Windermere in Cumbria who came together during the Acid House phenomenon of the late 1980s. Out House contributed to the early underground scene in the region, but achieved notoriety after staging a series of raves in a cave at a remote slate quarry near the village of Coniston
During the summer of 1991, word of mouth ensured the ‘Cave Raves’ attracted increasing numbers of people from across the UK. In turn, the local police became involved and, with varying success, conducted raids and blocked access routes to the quarry. As a dramatic last resort by the landowner to prevent the raves, the entrances to the caves were drilled for blasting (halted only due to a failure to apply for planning consent). The organisational drain and police pressure on Out House eventually sealed the fate of the parties. Despite this, the group briefly retained their position within the club and free festival circuit. Finally, disillusioned by the commercialisation of the rave scene, worn down by the excesses of the scene itself and after having equipment confiscated, the ‘Cave Crew’ disbanded in 1993.
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