Jade Vickers

I have been photographing the festival and rave scene for the last two years, although that is not when my story begins. Since the age of one I have been travelling around from festival to festival, attending many free party’s along the way, in a converted motorhome with my friends and family living a communal lifestyle.

Since becoming an adult music has become my medicine, I can often get very overwhelmed in places but as soon as I hear the music in my ears it gives me a sense of security and freedom from my worries and anxiety. I attend free parties with so much excitement to achieve this freedom and dance my worries away. I have witnessed odd things at events and possibly my head has not been in the right place at times but I have never been as scared at a free party as I was that night, when a police man was holding on to me so tight and hitting me repeatedly with his batton, I screamed at him to let go but he held on long enough to hit me numerous times. I was scared and in pain. People often say we, in the traveller and free party community are all disrespectful criminals yet over the years the police have left a trail of destruction and violence towards people who are simply dancing with friends, in a disused area where there is no intention to hurt anyone.

Living in a society where they can’t see
the difference between you and me.

In a society where people are wanting

change, wanting to feel free.

In a society where we are made to feel

dumb because we are smart.

In a society where we are considered

weird because we are into creative arts.

In a society where we are made to fit in,

to play the part.

In a society where you are expected to

follow the crowd.

F**k that be yourself its allowed!