After pulling off a bold move in a scene where alcohol and excesses are the norm, Patrick Topping celebrates the success of his first-ever Sober October Rave—an alcohol-free event held in broad daylight with sold-out tickets. The British DJ was blown away by the crowd's energy and is already gearing up for a second edition.
For a couple of years now, Topping has been working to raise awareness about excess and mental health within the electronic music scene. Since 2017, he’s been playing completely sober, something he says has completely transformed his relationship with music and parties.
“I’m not saying I’m completely against alcohol; at every other event I play, they sell it. I just want to offer an alternative for one night during Sober October, where people can come, not feel pressured to drink, and still enjoy the collective experience of dancing together,” Topping posted on his social media when announcing the event.
Even though he was called crazy for introducing sobriety into spaces where alcohol and substances are far from taboo, the Newcastle-born producer proved that there is indeed a crowd who wants to dance and still feel fresh the next day.
Topping thanked everyone who came to the first Sober October Rave in Newcastle, highlighting the “incredible energy” of the crowd, with everyone “fully immersed in the moment.”
The idea of an alcohol-free party where there’s no pressure to drink seems to resonate with a much bigger niche than the music industry anticipated. According to the organisers, the crowd was a vibrant mix of fitness enthusiasts, some curious first-timers, and people in recovery—many of whom the British producer had the chance to connect with post-event. They thanked him for creating a space where they could enjoy the music without jeopardising their recovery.
This first party might just be the start of breaking old paradigms in the electronic scene. It seems that there are more people than we thought who crave a space free from alcohol and wild behaviour. Maybe sobriety doesn’t mean boring parties or a lifeless crowd. Topping already proved it, and he’s promised more info on a second edition.
