Crafting the soundscape of the UK's 90s rave scene - Innovation in Sound 2025

dBs Manchester's Josh Hoy walks us through 'Rave, Unity and Ambient'; his soundscape project for Innovation in Sound 2025. 

Josh AKA J HOY is a Manchester-based electronic artist. Releasing commercial remixes for Dub Pistols and DJ Vadim as the producer for Hoy-Man Sound, he has established his sound and professional aesthetic. Growing up around sound systems and electronic music has developed J HOY's interpretation of UK sounds.

For this year's Innovation in Sound showcase, Josh is drawing inspiration from artists such as Brian Eno to fuse field recordings and electronic sounds to create his project, 'Rave, Unity and Ambient'; an ambient composition that tells the story of the UK's 90s rave scene.

You’ve chosen to create an ambient composition that tells a story of the UK’s 90s rave scene - where did the inspiration come from?

The inspiration came from being brought up and developing a deep interest in the music of 1990s rave and the culture that surrounded the scene. Throughout the year leading up to the final project I was experimenting with textures and field recordings creating ambient inspired compositions so the two elements naturally lined up together.

Tell us a little more about the aesthetic and emotional attributes of the UK’s 90s rave scene that you’ve focused on to bring this composition to life.

I focussed on the experience of the raver before, during and after a typical rave within this period. Many aesthetics and emotions are synonymous with the 90s rave scene, notable ones focussed with the project include; euphoria, escapism, anticipation, and unease.

What sounds, locations, etc. can people expect to hear in this composition?

The composition transports the listener to a warehouse, field or anywhere their mind will put them as a 90s raver. Field recordings were captured from rave tapes, 90s interviews and documentaries, and a portable field recorder. You can expect to hear the obscure voices of MC’s and ravers, environmental sounds of typical illegal rave locations, and textural sounds of noise and crackle.

How will visitors experience the project?

Visitors are required to listen on a stereo setup, a pair of headphones or a set of monitors.

What were some of the key technical processes involved in bringing your project to life?

Instrumentation typical of the period was used further depicting the 90s rave scene. Field recordings were processed through granular synthesis, specifically PaulXStretch creating textural backdrops. Formant shifting was used on selected vocals developing the composition and indicating change to the listener.

What are you most looking forward to about exhibiting your work?

I am most looking forward to immersing the listener within an environment presenting the 90s rave scene, a scene incredibly important to me and development of the music we listen to today.

FIND OUT MORE
https://www.instagram.com/j.hoy.music/
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Innovation in Sound 2025 Manchester is a multi-day free showcase taking place at
Altogether Otherwise from Thursday 29th May - Monday 9th June

To check out Josh's project in-person and many others, visit Eventbrite to secure your free tickets.