The Reminisce Festival in St. Helens, England, is one of the UK’s premier retro and classic dance music festivals. It celebrates the golden era of 90s and early 00s dance music, featuring a mix of old-school rave, house, garage, and trance, as well as a variety of other genres that defined that era. The festival has become a beloved event for fans of nostalgic dance music and has grown significantly over the years.

ORIGINS AND EARLY YEARS

The Reminisce Festival began in 2011 as a relatively small event in St. Helens, aimed at bringing together fans of 90s and early 00s rave culture. The first event was designed to offer a nostalgic journey back to the heyday of dance music, where headliners and DJ sets were curated to reflect the music that had shaped the rave scene during its peak in the 1990s.

Initially, the festival featured a mix of DJ sets and live performances, mostly by established DJs who had made a mark during the 90s rave era. It quickly caught the attention of the local community and grew into an event with a dedicated following.

GROWTH OVER THE YEARS

Over the years, Reminisce grew both in size and popularity, attracting larger crowds each year. The festival expanded from a one-day event into a multi-stage affair with a diverse lineup of artists, many of whom had iconic status in the dance music world. What began as a relatively local event became a nationwide attraction, drawing people from all across the UK who were eager to relive the sounds and experiences of their youth.

Key Milestones in Its Growth:

1. Early 2010s – Building a Reputation:
   In its early years, the festival mainly focused on a smaller, more intimate crowd, with some regional and local DJs. However, word-of-mouth and social media helped spread the festival’s appeal beyond St. Helens, and by 2014, the festival had started attracting bigger names and larger crowds.

2. 2015-2017 – Expanding the Lineup:
   By 2015, Reminisce had become one of the UK’s go-to events for dance music fans of the 90s. The festival began featuring an increasing number of high-profile headliners, including top-tier DJs and acts who had a major influence on the rave and dance music scenes of the 90s. Key names from this period included K-Klass, Brand New Heavies, and Haddaway, all of whom helped bring a global flair to the festival.

3. 2018-2020 – Major Breakthrough:
   Between 2018 and 2020, the Reminisce Festival cemented itself as a major part of the UK festival calendar. During this period, the festival’s attendance numbers grew, and the event began attracting international artists. Additionally, they started adding more stages and creating different “themed” areas dedicated to specific genres, such as Old Skool House, 90s Garage, Hardcore Rave, and Eurodance.

4. Post-Pandemic – The Resurgence (2022-Present):
   After a pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Reminisce returned in 2022 with even more energy and ambition. The 2022 and 2023 editions marked a significant leap forward, with more diverse acts, state-of-the-art production, and a larger crowd. The festival has also embraced the modern trend of incorporating immersive visual and lighting experiences, giving the event a more dynamic and engaging atmosphere.

NOTABLE HEADLINERS & ACTS

Over the past decade, Reminisce has featured a variety of legendary acts from the 90s and early 00s, including:

• Haddaway – Famous for the iconic hit “What Is Love”. He’s a regular at the festival, bringing in big crowds who are eager to relive the hits of the Eurodance era.

• Sasha & John Digweed – These two pioneering DJs have been instrumental in shaping the progressive house and trance scenes of the 90s. Their inclusion brought a more underground feel to the festival and added diversity to the lineup.

• K-Klass – A major force in the house music scene, K-Klass played a key role in the festival’s early years and continues to draw huge crowds.

• N-Trance – Their hits like “Set You Free” and “Stayin’ Alive” were dance anthems of the 90s, and their performances remain a highlight for attendees.

• The Brand New Heavies – The iconic funk and acid jazz band have graced the festival with their upbeat and groove-heavy sound.

• The Orb – One of the pioneers of ambient and electronic music, their sets have brought a unique, atmospheric vibe to Reminisce.

• Darren Styles and Scott Brown – Hardcore rave legends who have performed multiple times, adding an extra level of excitement for fans of the harder styles of dance music.

• Kelly Llorenna – A prominent figure in the UK dance scene with many successful hits in the 90s and 00s, she’s a regular performer at the festival.

• Baby D – Known for the hit “Let Me Be Your Fantasy,” Baby D is another favorite of the festival’s audience.

THEMATIC EVOLUTION

Over time, Reminisce has embraced a more complex and multi-faceted approach to its staging and production. As the event grew, they began adding more “stages” dedicated to specific genres of dance music:

• Old Skool Rave – Dedicated to classic rave and hardcore music from the 90s, featuring acts from the UK’s rave scene.

• Eurodance Arena – A popular stage for all the Eurodance anthems of the 90s, with acts like 2 Unlimited and Scooter.

• Hard House & Trance – This stage is for the fans of the harder edge of dance music, offering high-energy sets.

• Garage & Drum & Bass – Reflecting the diverse nature of the UK dance scene, this stage has hosted performances by MJ Cole and Shy FX.

FESTIVAL GROWTH AND ATTENDANCE

Over the past decade, the festival’s attendance numbers have soared. By 2022, attendance had reached over 20,000 people. The festival’s expansion into a multi-day event has also made it a major destination for dance music fans from all over the UK, with some fans even traveling internationally to attend.

AND THE STORY CONTINUES…

In just over a decade, Reminisce Festival has gone from a small, niche event in St. Helens to a prominent festival on the UK electronic music scene. With its continued focus on 90s nostalgia and the golden age of rave and dance, it has carved out a special place in the hearts of dance music fans. The festival’s growth is a testament to the enduring popularity of 90s rave culture and the desire to relive the euphoric moments of that era. It’s likely that the festival will continue to thrive and expand, offering new generations the chance to experience the music that defined a golden era of dance culture.