A 2025 study by the University of Leeds found that women aged 40-65 are increasingly turning to raves for mental health benefits, including lower anxiety, boosted energy, and social connection. The study surveyed 136 women, with 82% having attended raves for over 20 years. Lead author Alinka Greasley, professor of music psychology, said: “I still go out raving and I’ve been doing so for 26 years.”
Why women return to raves
Many women, like Joanna, 50, resumed clubbing after a hiatus due to family responsibilities. “There’s something about it being completely separate from parenting and work that feels really special,” she said. Internalised ageism often causes initial resistance, but negative attitudes are not defining. Greasley noted that women reported a strong sense of belonging, with age being irrelevant.
Health benefits of dancing all night
Dancing for hours provides exercise and mental health perks. Greasley said women report “feeling alive, feeling energised” and a positive impact on anxiety, depression, and low mood. Perimenopausal women find release similar to adolescence. Dancing with others increases social bonding through movement entrainment, leading to pleasure and connectedness.
Inclusive dance spaces
Psychotherapist Rachel Giddings said: “When you go into an inclusive dance space, you can enter a liminal space where time dissolves and everybody is treated as an equal.” Women reclaim identity beyond caregiving roles. Joanna noted that after her first outing, age-related self-consciousness melted away.
Changing rave culture
Raves now often start earlier, like 6pm to midnight, catering to older attendees. EDM culture has aged since the 1980s. Greasley said: “While it still remains a youth culture, the culture as a whole has aged.” Joanna enjoys occasional late nights, saying: “I find it really energising.”
