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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
Entertainment
Alexander Brock

Moment thousands rave in street to DJ set out of Bristol flat window

Footage has captured the moment thousands of ravers took over the streets during the last-ever Rave On Avon event in Stokes Croft.

The festival sees a 16-hour-long rave held in many of Stokes Croft's bars and clubs.

It is one of the most popular events in the Bristol music calendar, and brings thousands of people of all ages to the city.

But, while the event itself is contained to bars and clubs, many people set up their own sound systems and party-goers flood the streets.

By nightfall, Stokes Croft's roads were taken over by ravers, with hundreds if not thousands of people gathering at the area's famous focal point, Turbo Island.

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Video taken on May 20 shows hundreds of people gathering on Stokes Croft A38 to enjoy the festival, as one group of friends put on a DJ set from their flat window.

However, 2019 will be the last time the event takes place in Stokes Croft as organisers look to host it elsewhere.

A crowd outside a house during Rave on Avon (Jack Cottle)

Organisers have hinted the change in culture of Stokes Croft has had an impact. The area has seen rapid gentrification, with flats being built or converted in many of the areas that were previously run-down, and hosting the original unofficial raves and parties of decades past.

Ravers described as having 'no respect' as street 'used like toilet' during Rave On Avon

Jack Cottle, a DJ who has performed at previous Rave on Avon events, is one of many who wants to see Rave On Avon replaced.

"I hope something steps up in its place," the 22-year-old said.

"It's a massive shame that it's ending. The amount of people that turned up from all walks of life - so many people were just having a good time.

"It's uplifting to see so much life in one place."

Mr Cottle said he would like to see any spiritual successor to Rave on Avon set up in either Clifton or Stoke Croft.

"I always revert back to Stoke Croft," he said.

"Clifton has the Downs Festival though, so they are open to this type of thing."

He added any future event would require proper planning with Bristol City Council.

"I get people saying it's got out of control but there's two sides to every story," he said.

"It's going to be down to working with the council in the future."

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In response to reports of Ravers described as having 'no respect' as street 'used like toilet' during Rave On Avon last weekend, the organisers have said they "do not condone" outside events set up by people outside of the festival itself.

Director Ruth Wiles said: "We don’t condone the outside events such as the sound systems set up in the streets.

"They are a huge problem for us every year and they don’t provide facilities for the people who attend. We hold our event inside venues with toilets."

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