When was the country last as bad as now?

Looking through the Sunday papers (well actually website these days) the headlines make gloomy reading, recession, joblessness, cuts, repossessions...  it all looks bleak stuff and I sat there thinking when do I remember when it was last like this in the country?  My conclusion definitely 1992.  However bleak that year was for the country as a whole the ravers found their escape at all night parties including Fantazia events.  People love to have some escapism when times are bleak and big one off events give a lot of bang for your buck.

Then I got to looking at our and others people parties from those times and the tickets prices etc, and I was surprised at how little difference there is between the costs then and now.  Fantazia One Step Beyond in 1992 was £25 a ticket, Fantazia Two Steps Beyond this July the early birds were still only £25 with the fully price tickets not that much more.  If you take into account inflation and the vast amounts of health & safety, minimum wage etc now that's amazing. And if you look almost all the events today compare favourably price wise.  Back in the old days there were other price pressures.  Mainly the cost of getting a license, plus site owners wanted a fortune for their sites because of the hassle from neighbours being up in arms.  On top of that there were far fewer suppliers of lighting etc so they charged far more, and finally promotion costs were massive. The internet now allows for rave organisations to reach vast numbers of people at barely any physical cost.  Of course, all companies big and small are jossling for the same attention and neither now gets priority so lots of work still needs to be done to succeed.  Compare on then and now...
View One Step Beyond...  
View Two Step Beyond...