CASTLEMORTON COMMON FESTIVAL Meaning and
Definition
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Castlemorton Common Festival refers to a historical outdoor music festival that took place in England during the early 1990s. The festival occurred on Castlemorton Common, a large area of common land located in Worcestershire, England. The event gained significant attention and notoriety due to its scale, duration, and the subsequent legal and cultural implications it had on the British music festival scene.
The festival lasted for seven days, from May 22nd to May 29th, 1992, and attracted tens of thousands of attendees. It featured a diverse line-up of electronic dance music, including genres such as techno, house, and acid house, which were popular at the time.
Castlemorton Common Festival marked a turning point in the relationship between outdoor music festivals and the British authorities. Due to noise complaints and concerns about public order, the festival resulted in a clampdown on large-scale outdoor gatherings in the UK. The incident prompted the introduction of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, which restricted the organization of raves and other events that were perceived as potentially disruptive or dangerous.
While the festival itself was met with controversy and criticism, it has become a significant cultural and historical landmark in the history of British music festivals. It serves as a reminder of the tensions surrounding the freedom of expression and regulation of public events.
