It was a hot August night in 1994, and Rua Direita in Santa Maria da Feira was packed with people. As a young boy, I felt compelled to ask my father what was going on. He told me that all those people were there because of the Rave at Castelo.
I knew what a castle was, but I didn't know what a rave was, as it was something new to our reality. Perhaps in England or southern Spain they were more familiar with the concept, but in Santa Maria da Feira it was like a spaceship landing downtown. That August night was what Carlos Manaça described in a Facebook post as Portugal's first "real" rave, featuring a stellar lineup of artists, including Danny Tenaglia, Jaydee, Rob Di Stefano, Doctor J aka Rui da Silva, Luís Leite, DJ Vibe aka Tó Pereira, Ruizinho, The Ozone, and others.
If you would like to know a little more about the beginnings of Dance Music in Portugal, please read the articles “A short history of electronic dance music in Portugal (part I)” and “A short history of electronic dance music in Portugal (part II)” by Gabriel Oliveira Feitor published on the website of the Comunidade Cultura e Arte .
The rave scene had not only arrived in Portugal but also brought with it many English influences in terms of music and style. One such reference was Dr. Martens boots, with particular emphasis on the 1460, a rave icon of the 1990s, adopted by the Portuguese as "official" footwear not only in the dance music subculture but also in other subcultures. Even today, 19 years later, Dr. Martens is a multi-generational reference in the Portuguese market.
If this article made you want to have new Dr. Martens boots, shoes or sandals, you can buy yours here !
