For The People
For the People was one of Melbourne's biggest underground rave organisers of the early 2020's. Focusing on throwing high energy techno, groove and hard techno raves, the group utilised various locations around Melbourne. Ranging from massive abandoned warehouses that were adorned with projections and graffiti to iconic underground tunnel raves, these events are remembered fondly by those in attendance.
For The People was my gateway into the community. They put on the second rave I ever went to. In the midst of the rave getting shut down due to violence, I got talking to one of the organisers, Tom Williamson. Tom was a charismatic and energetic DJ, spinning tracks and throwing raves, I knew I needed to be friends with him.
I reached out in regards to helping out with their next event and they invited me to help set up their next event. It was a wonderful day of labour and love. Dragging chain-link fences across hundreds of metres of barren concrete and scrambling around putting cords in place, all with the knowledge that we were working for something bigger than ourselves. That experience got me hooked, being exposed to the amount of work and effort it takes to put these events on, to create a free/low cost experience for stranges entrenched in me the understanding that raves were something beautiful.
My time with for the people was well enjoyed, the collective grew, throwing a mix of legal and illegal events, hosting internationally famous DJs everywhere from the underside of bridges to the back of taco shops. It was an adventure through and through.
I look back fondly at these events and can't wait to savour these memories as I grow older. For The People, for the community, for the culture.
As all good things must come to an end, Tom and the other organisers eventually decided to put ForThePeople to rest. Tom was generous enough to gift me the Instagram page as a place to share my documentary photography project. I hope to pass on this page to another artist once I have concluded my project.