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Dreaming in Yellow: The Story of the DiY Sound System
Emerging from Nottingham in the summer of 1989, the DiY Collective were one of the first house sound systems in the UK. Merging the anarchic lineage of the free festival scene, the cultural and political anger of bands like Crass with the new, irresistible electronic pulse of acid house, they bridged the idealistic void left by the moral implosion of the commercial rave scene.
From Castlemorton to the Café del Mar, the DiY sound and DJs became internationally renowned and beneath their banners of liberty, collectivism and untrammelled hedonism achieved an underground cult status that endures to this day. Having celebrated their thirtieth anniversary in 2109, DiY continue to challenge the idea that dance music is apolitical and to celebrate the ideology of liberation through fun.
Written by Harry Harrison, one of DiY’s founding members, this book traces their origins back to early formative experiences, describing in detail the seminal clubs, parties, festivals and records that forged the collective. Dreaming in Yellow is an attempt to distil the story of DiY’s tumultuous existence and the remarkably eclectic, outrageous and occasionally deranged story of them doing it themselves.
From Castlemorton to the Café del Mar, the DiY sound and DJs became internationally renowned and beneath their banners of liberty, collectivism and untrammelled hedonism achieved an underground cult status that endures to this day. Having celebrated their thirtieth anniversary in 2109, DiY continue to challenge the idea that dance music is apolitical and to celebrate the ideology of liberation through fun.
Written by Harry Harrison, one of DiY’s founding members, this book traces their origins back to early formative experiences, describing in detail the seminal clubs, parties, festivals and records that forged the collective. Dreaming in Yellow is an attempt to distil the story of DiY’s tumultuous existence and the remarkably eclectic, outrageous and occasionally deranged story of them doing it themselves.
272 pages, Paperback
Published May 1, 2022
8 people are currently reading
153 people want to read
About the author
Harry Harrison
1,261 books1,041 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
Harry Harrison (born Henry Maxwell Dempsey) was an American science fiction author best known for his character the The Stainless Steel Rat and the novel Make Room! Make Room! (1966), the basis for the film Soylent Green (1973). He was also (with Brian W. Aldiss) co-president of the Birmingham Science Fiction Group.
Excerpted from Wikipedia.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
June 10, 2023
Very well written, a great read from start to finish and goes nice and deeply into the history of free parties and festivals without become a bore.
July 12, 2023
90's Free Party Odyssey
I really enjoyed this book, having been part of the free party and rave scene, albeit the less "fluffy" part.
Such a blast of nostalgia, and Harry captures the anarchy and euphoria wonderfully (not easy according to the received wisdom that "writing about music is like dancing about architecture" (quote attributed to several people)
The political ideals of the Rave scene might not withstand modern scrutiny, hoovering up designer drugs while lecturing on anarcho socialist principles could seem contradictory, but Harry's enthusiasm papers over those cracks.
I really enjoyed this book, having been part of the free party and rave scene, albeit the less "fluffy" part.
Such a blast of nostalgia, and Harry captures the anarchy and euphoria wonderfully (not easy according to the received wisdom that "writing about music is like dancing about architecture" (quote attributed to several people)
The political ideals of the Rave scene might not withstand modern scrutiny, hoovering up designer drugs while lecturing on anarcho socialist principles could seem contradictory, but Harry's enthusiasm papers over those cracks.
March 20, 2022
The original deep house free party sound system that touched all our souls...
June 1, 2022
Really enjoyed this. The right mix of hedonistic nostalgia, political / cultural insight, breathless enthusiasm, chutzpah and humility. If it got a bit repetitive at times, and needed more editing, Harrison can be forgiven. There was a lot of ground to cover and he was off his tits for most of it.
Highly recommended for the aging ravers and the festy crew (which I guess was the point of DiY all along).
Highly recommended for the aging ravers and the festy crew (which I guess was the point of DiY all along).
July 18, 2025
A blast from the past and what a past. An unusual mixture of socialism and hedonism and a cracking read. It is a bit like a rockstar biog where you wonder how someone could consume so many drugs and still come out alive. Hats off to the whole crew for helping to change British culture and giving a lot of people a lot of fun.
March 26, 2022
A familiar tale. Surprisingly well told.
On one hand great to reminisce, but on the other a fantastic social history told through music and rebellion. And fun. Above all else. Fun
On one hand great to reminisce, but on the other a fantastic social history told through music and rebellion. And fun. Above all else. Fun
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews