August 31, 2025
The Evolution of House Music: “Party Lines” by Ed Gillett
House music doesn’t attract arts funding like Opera does.
Something I learned at the LEAF festival all the way back in 2013 is how electronic music, clubs, and everything that goes with it drive local regeneration and prosperity.
We have living proof; I recall when Shoreditch was run-down buildings and secret doors into fantastic Sunday afternoon parties with the friendliest crowds ever. In those days, Shoreditch was a ghost town.
The theory is that electronic music and clubs attract the young and make the area hip. At that stage, property developers move in, shut down the clubs and offices, and other bland buildings appear. Shoreditch today is a perfect example of this evolution.
LEAF festival had some great talks about this topic, and the DJs (Terry Farley, James Priestley and Fabric co-founder Keith Riley) pointed out that the Royal Opera House attracts fewer people, is not as inclusive, and does not drive any regeneration. Yet, the Royal Opera House receives substantial Arts Council funding (£22m in 2022)
Hence, I’ve never forgotten the impact of the dancefloor.
So, when I received Ed Gillett’s well-researched book “Party Lines” this Christmas, I was thrilled to learn much more than a sound bite about this topic.
In “Party Lines,” Gillett takes readers on an illuminating journey through the history and evolution of UK dance music, exploring its intersections with social, political, and economic changes.
The book highlights how thrilling and eye-watering these transformations can be, especially when councils have learned the benefits of techno and bet the farm—i.e., millions of pounds—to kick-start regeneration.
Not surprisingly, it doesn’t always work.
Changing the Narrative of House Music
A key argument of the book is to demonstrate that today’s dance music was not kickstarted when the ‘four friends from London went on holiday to Ibiza… what happened next would change the course of pop culture.’
The author demonstrates how the music we listen to and love today goes back further to the 1960s and comes from marginalised people and cultures, and those people faced tension from the police and local councils. I won’t rehash the main argument, but it’s essential to understand the origins to see what is happening today.
As a pivotal chapter in the broader story of house music, the book reveals the resilience and creativity that define this ever-evolving genre.
From Sound Systems to Acid House
The story of house music in the UK begins with the influence of sound system culture, imported from the Caribbean and embraced by local communities.
These grassroots gatherings laid the foundation for what would become a thriving underground scene. As house music emerged from Chicago and Detroit, its infectious rhythms and soulful beats found a welcoming audience in the UK.
The late 1980s and early 1990s saw the rise of acid house, a subgenre characterised by its hypnotic 303 basslines and unrelenting energy.
This era marked the beginning of rave culture, with massive gatherings transforming fields and warehouses into spaces of collective euphoria.
House music was no longer confined to clubs; it became a cultural movement.
The Impact of the Criminal Justice Act
As rave culture gained momentum, it also attracted the attention of authorities. The UK government responded with the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act of 1994, targeting unlicensed gatherings with “repetitive beats.” This legislation was a direct attempt to suppress the burgeoning house music scene, but it only served to galvanise the community.
Underground raves continued to thrive, and house music persisted as a symbol of resistance and freedom.
The Superclub Era and Commercialisation
By the late 1990s, house music had transitioned into the mainstream with the emergence of superclubs like Ministry of Sound and Cream. These venues elevated the genre to new heights, attracting international DJs and audiences. However, this commercialisation also sparked debates about the authenticity of house music and its grassroots origins.
Despite its mainstream success, house music remained adaptable. Subgenres like deep house, tech house, and progressive house emerged, each offering a unique take on the genre’s core elements.
The resilience of house music lies in its ability to evolve while maintaining its essence.
Digital Revolution and Modern House Music
You know all this:
The advent of digital technology transformed the house music landscape. Platforms like SoundCloud, Bandcamp, and Mixcloud gave artists the tools to distribute their music independently, bypassing traditional gatekeepers. Social media enabled DJs and producers to connect directly with their audiences, fostering a global house music community.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, house music experienced a resurgence in illegal raves as restrictions closed clubs. These events reignited the underground spirit of the genre, reminding fans of its rebellious roots.
Today, house music continues to thrive in both mainstream and underground settings, a testament to its enduring appeal.
“Business Techno”
But it’s this that I wanted to point out:
The idea of a bland clubbing template – “Business Techno” sounds the same worldwide and attracts large crowds.
Gillett goes into humorous detail on how the event operates, with the local DJ with a full-time tech career starting the event, an uber cool 20-year-old Berlin DJ with all the right connections in the middle and headlined by a 60-year-old veteran flown over from the United States, who ‘hasn’t listened to dance music for years” for a two-hour set “combining the requisite number of familiar classics with newer tunes harvested and prescreened for him by a team of interns”.
Plus, there’s a chapter that helps you understand how the availability of the different drugs and their strength influenced the music being produced and played at the time, and not the other way around as I would have assumed.
Until I read this book, I didn’t realise three variants of MDMA change your response accordingly.
But you really get an insight into the money involved, venture capital, Private Equity and local councils – all looking to cash in on property regeneration.
The Future of House Music: A Community-Driven Evolution
The future of house music lies in community.
As house music continues to evolve, its ability to adapt and innovate ensures its place as a cornerstone of global music culture. Whether through underground movements, groundbreaking subgenres, or massive festivals, house music remains a celebration of rhythm, unity, and creativity.
One striking parallel is how the electronic dance scene now resembles the film industry—only small, niche events or huge blockbuster gatherings seem to thrive in this environment. For those of us without the backing of venture capital or private equity, the key to thriving in this space is clear: build and nurture your own community.
I am lucky to be part of one: Organic Deep House Radio, and we are building local community events worldwide.
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