Raving Among the Bones
The history of “free parties” can be traced back to illegal acid house raves in the UK in the late 1980s. The basic format—massive speakers outside with people dancing—was inherited from Caribbean sound system culture, but the illegality and lawlessness had a specific British flavor, a reaction to the conservative mainstream and a moribund nightclub scene. The movement was soon adopted in Europe, leading eventually to large annual gatherings like Frenchtek and Czechtek. Despite decades of suppression by the authorities, enterprising ravers are still finding ways to party. In Paris , that has long included navigating the catacombs below the city to party away from the prying eyes of les gendarmes. Noé, a photographer based in Paris, got in touch to share some of his favorite pictures. VICE: How did you start going to these parties? Noé Christin-Davy: I started going to free parties because I was hanging around with people who ran a trap and rap sound system called G...