toronto raves

10 signs you were a Toronto raver in the 1990s

By the mid 1990s Toronto had one of the biggest rave scenes in North America. On most weekends there were a variety of underground events taking place in warehouses, lofts and more well known venues like the Ontario Science Centre. If you were there then this is what you may remember now.

Here are 10 signs you were a Toronto raver in the 1990s.

1. You still talk about the first rave at Ontario Science Centre in 1993.

2. You had fake $3 bills with Shaggy on them by X-Static in your wallet or taped to your wall.

3. You tested out some of Dr. Trance's gadgets at his laboratory.

4. You went to Mark Oliver's set at 23 Hop before he got mainstream.

5. You lost your friends inside a 300+ packed Atlantis and or Nitrous warehouse party because they didn't own a cellphone.

6. You took a ride on the Pleasure Force "magic school bus" to a rave in the middle of a nowhere.

7. You remember 100 riot police standing outside Cherry Beach studios, and "Ballroom Blitz" playing before cops literally pulled the plug.

8. You shopped at "Bi-Way" for dancing shoes.

9. You got CD and LP recommendations from Eugene at Play de Record, Paul at The Pit and Lou at Fresh.

10. You were upset over Allan Ho's death and protested City Hall's Rave Ban in 1999.

What signs did I miss? Add them to the comments.

See also: 10 signs you were a Toronto raver in the 2000s

Writing by Trent Lee.


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Music

The world's first Taylor Swift trivia escape room is coming to Toronto

Fans line up for hours outside Toronto club after Drake makes surprise appearance

KISS abruptly cancels Toronto show and people are fuming

Drake shows off Toronto to the world in over-the-top new video

Toronto ranked the most visited music tour destination in the world

Green Day coming to Toronto in 2024 and they're bringing other 90s throwback bands

Blink-182 is coming back to Toronto by popular demand

Drake spotted filming new music video on top of Toronto's Scotiabank Arena