Rave Days #5 at XOYO – Two Years of Unity, Beats, and Unstoppable Vibes

On April 12th, 2025, something special took over the heart of Shoreditch. Rave Days returned to XOYO for its fifth edition, celebrating two incredible years of unity, underground beats, and rave culture that continues to grow stronger with every drop of the bass. Despite only the upstairs room being open, the event captured the very essence of what makes the Rave Days series such a staple of London’s old skool scene: a powerful connection between the DJs, the dancers, and the dancefloor.

A Lineup Worthy of the Milestone

The night boasted a phenomenal lineup that lived up to the occasion and then some:

• 🎶 Joe Smooth – A true legend from the Chicago house scene, Joe brought his iconic acid and old skool house set straight from the USA, throwing down vintage 1988–1992 vibes that instantly transported ravers back to the roots of rave culture.

• 🔥 2 Bad Mice – With their signature jungle and breakbeat sound, they delivered a set that had the upstairs room vibrating with energy and nostalgia.

• 🧨 D Disorderly & Skol – The duo smashed through a set of relentless hard house and classic anthems that had the walls of XOYO shaking.

• 💥 Acid Brothers, Scottie Anderson, Jodi & SolarTrak – Each added their own spin on the night with a flawless blend of acid, techno, and rave history, proving once again that Rave Days isn’t just a party – it’s a celebration of a culture.

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Only One Room – But Maximum Energy

While only the upstairs room was in use for this edition of Rave Days, that did absolutely nothing to diminish the spirit of the night. In fact, it may have amplified it.

There’s something raw and powerful about a packed, intimate space filled with people who are there for one reason: the music. The closeness of the crowd meant that every drop, every rewind, and every shout echoed through the room with pure intensity. It wasn’t about how big the space was – it was about how big the vibe felt. And the vibe? Off the scale.

Security at the Door – A Bump in the Journey

Let’s address the elephant at the entrance. Yes, security on entry was challenging. The checks were noticeably more thorough than usual, and for some, it created a slow and slightly tense start to the night. But here’s the key thing: once through those doors, it was nothing but love. The vibe inside was untouched, unfazed, and unfiltered. The energy from the crowd quickly dissolved any frustration, and the community inside XOYO reclaimed the night as their own.

Solo Ravers & the Community Connection

A huge shout-out has to go to the Solo Ravers community, many of whom showed up in force to support the event. As always, they lived up to their reputation as one of the most welcoming and open-hearted rave collectives in the scene.

Whether you turned up solo or with a crew, there was no judgment, no exclusion – just connection. Everyone danced like they’d known each other for years, and the upstairs room buzzed with a spirit of freedom and friendship that no security protocol could ever suppress.

A Day to Remember, A Movement That Grows

Rave Days #5 was more than just a celebration of two years – it was a reminder of why we rave. It was about remembering where it all started and pushing forward with that same fire. It was about unity, expression, history, and the power of music to bring strangers together under one beat.

As we look forward to the next Rave Days event, one thing is clear: this movement isn’t slowing down. It’s evolving, growing, and pulling more people into its orbit of joy, love, and electronic alchemy.