Grandmaster Flash might be a household name, but increasingly, a new generation of performers is taking center stage: grandmothers. Women like 61-year-old Lynne Cole are trading traditional retirement activities for the vibrant, late-night atmosphere of hardcore techno raves, discovering a sense of freedom and fulfillment on the dance floor.
Cole, a former nanny, described a period of deep depression following menopause and the end of her marriage. "My mental health was pretty bad," Cole told The Post. "I felt like a nobody. Low self-esteem, low everything. I’d just lay in bed a lot."
Encouraged by her adult children, Cole attended Defqon.1, a large-scale music festival in the Netherlands. Initially hesitant due to societal expectations about age and nightlife, she eventually found her rhythm on the dance floor. "I realized this is it! This is what I’ve been missing," she said.
Over the past decade, Cole has become a notable figure in the rave scene, known online as @RaveGranny. She shares her experiences with over 70,000 followers on TikTok, documenting her attendance at monthly raves and her nomadic lifestyle in a camper van, which allows her the flexibility to travel to events.
Cole recounted facing ageism, with comments like "granny, go home" from younger attendees. However, she persevered and found significant support from her online community. "When I’m dancing, I feel alive; I don’t feel like I’m 61," Cole stated.
Her experience aligns with emerging research. A 2025 study from the University of Leeds surveyed women aged 40 to 65 who participate in clubbing, finding that dancing positively impacted their mental and physical well-being. Dancing has also been shown to help alleviate stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, which can be exacerbated during menopause.
This trend is also reflected in the public sphere, with artists like Cher, 80, and Madonna, 67, continuing to engage with music and dance. Madonna's recent music video featured dancers including Kate Moss, 52, Debi Mazar, 61, and Honey Dijon, 58.
Cirrus Blaafjell, a 54-year-old hairstylist, also found her way back to the dance floor after experiencing depression during the COVID-19 pandemic and menopause. Blaafjell, who attended her first rave at 18, recalled the sense of community and acceptance she found in the scene. "It was all different types of people. It was all about loving one another. It was a safe space for people of color and people of different sexual orientations."
After a 16-year hiatus to raise her son, Blaafjell was drawn back to raving as an antidote to her struggles. "Menopause changes your brain chemistry, and there’s something really beautiful about letting go on the dance floor. You disappear. You’re not thinking about your mortgage. You’re not thinking about your job stress," she explained.
Data from a survey of ravers over 40 indicated that 62.9% attend clubbing to escape life's realities, and 58.3% feel they can adopt a different persona in the club environment. Blaafjell also shares her experiences on Instagram, where she receives an enthusiastic reception, though she humorously notes her son's occasional bemusement at her attire.
Comparing her current experiences to decades past, Blaafjell observes a greater presence of older individuals in the rave scene. The primary difference now, she noted with a laugh, is her reduced stamina, with a typical partying window lasting about six hours before needing to rest.