A 2025 study by the University of Leeds has highlighted a growing trend: women aged 40 to 65 are increasingly turning to raves for mental health benefits. The study, which surveyed 136 women, found that 82% had been attending raves for more than 20 years. According to Alinka Greasley, professor of music psychology at the University of Leeds and co-author of the study, these women report feeling alive, energized, and experiencing reduced anxiety and depression after dancing all night.
The Return to Raving
Many women, like Joanna, 50, started clubbing again after a hiatus. Joanna now goes every few months with old friends, describing the experience as "completely separate from parenting and work," which feels "really special." Despite initial resistance due to internalized ageism, she now embraces clubbing as a form of self-expression and connection.
Greasley notes that some women face negative comments on the dancefloor, such as "Whose mum are you?" but these attitudes are not defining. Instead, the music, dancing, and socializing are the top draws, with a strong sense of belonging reported across generations.
Health Benefits of Dancing All Night
Dancing all night provides exercise and mental health benefits, particularly for those in perimenopause or experiencing burnout. Greasley explains that dancing for hours lowers anxiety and depression, and the entrainment—synchronizing movement to a beat—enhances social bonding and pleasure. Psychotherapist Rachel Giddings adds that inclusive dance spaces create a liminal state where age and status dissolve, fostering equality and belonging.
Evolving Rave Culture
Rave culture is adapting to older participants, with events starting earlier, such as 6pm to midnight, and venues like Drumsheds in London hosting afternoon sessions. Greasley notes that while raves remain a youth culture, the overall culture has aged, with original DJs and acts from the 1980s still performing.
Joanna emphasizes that clubbing isn't about recapturing youth but enjoying the present. "I'm seeing where it's at these days, and I quite like it," she says. For many, the experience is healing and connective, offering a respite from caregiving and work responsibilities.
