![](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/XFQDUPFMP3V2WEZRPHM4CPQ55M.jpg?quality=85&w=787)
![](https://www.popsci.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/18/XFQDUPFMP3V2WEZRPHM4CPQ55M.jpg?quality=85&w=787)
Nerds, gather at the dance party! It’s time to algorave. Meaning the DJs will be spinning algorithms, not just dropping beats.
At an algorave, DJs compose musical algorithms live to create “sounds wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive conditionals,” as the cryptic Algorave site explains. (The UK rave act of 1994 defined music as “sounds wholly or predominantly characterised by the emission of a succession of repetitive beats.”)
Basically, the DJs use systems for creating algorithmic music, like Impromptu and overtone, that enable them to live-code the sounds thumping out of the speakers.
What does this mean for the dance floor? Not totally sure, but here’s how the site puts it:
Algoraves embrace the alien sounds of raves from the past, and introduce alien, futuristic rhythms and beats made through strange, algorithm-aided processes. It’s up to the good people on the dancefloor to help the musicians make sense of this and do the real creative work in making a great party.
Just watch what seems to be an algorave in a cafeteria:
![](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/nHEA5HXedZ4/hqdefault.jpg)