New documentary on 90s Coventry rave hub, The Eclipse

In recent years, a renewed interest in the early UK rave scene has led to a range of multimedia from pop up events to art installations, biographies and vinyl represses.

While there are some documentaries, not many focus on the homegrown UK Rave scene post 88/89. You would be forgiven for not knowing that at one time, Coventry was a hub of rave music. A new documentary by the the name of ‘The Eclipse Pt 1′ I go out on Friday night and come home on Saturday morning’ offers an enthralling window into the experience of playing and raving at the venue.

A club by the name of the Eclipse played host to the biggest DJs and live PAs of the time. If you’ve ever gone down a rave nostalgia rabbit hole online, you will have heard mention of ‘Shellys’ and ‘Amnesia House’, the latter being famous for a very early live appearance by The Prodigy.

Over the space of 40min, promoters, DJs, performers, and ravers provide talking head style commentary over archival footage and music from N Joi, Altern 8, Cubik 22 and Fierce Ruling Diva.

A vast array of talking heads paint a vivid picture of the times, attitudes and social norms of raving in the Eclipse. Contributions from Micky Finn, Jumping Jack Frost, Mark Archer and Grooverider act as a storied recollection of memorable gigs and events, both good and not so good.

Subjects include the bootstrap set up of the club, the intense heat inside, inclusivity and also some negative biases that developed over time.

It’s interesting to hear how the North/South divide played out within the club where ‘Northeners’ preferred the Italo-House and Eurodance sound of Sasha to the Breakbeat Hardcore/Hardcore Jungle of the South. Its inferred that the Coventry locals were themselves split over preferred styles and this led to instances of bullying towards the DJs who nevertheless persevered.

What you get is an honest account of how it went down from people who lived and breathed it. Its fascinating to realise that a club in the Midlands formed the blueprint for the UK rave scene and yet has been whitewashed from the city’s history. This documentary does a great job of redressing the balance.