A new photobook documenting 2000s rave culture is coming out

Bristol-based photographer Matthew Smith has created Full On, Non Stop, All Over, his second book documenting rave culture.

The book consists of photos from the years 2000 to 2005, as well as an essay by Smith and a foreword by Simon Reynolds. It will be published by Trip Publishing.

Smith spoke about the new book, and the effects of the pandemic on raving: "We now live in times when digitally mediated behaviour seems to have taken over direct human behaviour, we have all just experienced a prolonged period of self-isolation in order to combat a virus. The reason for publishing this book now is to remind people of a time when the joyous unfettered energy of rave was everywhere, of a time when people were actually present in the moment, independent and free.

"I hope these images serve as a celebration of the honest human interaction from happier, less complicated times. I hope this book shines a little light during all this darkness, and that it reminds us of why we need to protect and preserve the best elements of club culture. Because that old saying is true: those who rave together, stay together."

Smith’s first book, Exist to Resist, explored the outlawing of raves throughout the UK.

You can pre-order Full On, Non Stop, All Over here.