Prestayn Weekender 2014 - A Lookback by Dave Thorley

Had a great time at Prestatyn. The event that brings together all shades of the scene and celebrates what's happening around it. Not all of it for me, but so much good stuff, that there were always many options of places to be, chat, laugh and dance.

The Impressions, were off the good scale, still have great voices, treated us to an hour of ballads and dancers, but everyone a classic. Richard Searling and his team did a fantastic job and with 3500 peeps in and all that I saw and spoke to smiling and enjoying themselves, a great weekend.

The records available for sale were amazing, for those that want that, the rest of the 'Soul Bazar' not for me, but clearly some like that and each to his own. In fact that is what this event does so well, it entertains all shades of the soul scene and long may it continue to do so.

The Uptight room went well for its first, bringing another dimension to the mix of music played across the weekend. A massive thanks to David Ripolles, David Abbott, Ian Wright, Leona Murphy, Mick H and SoulShakers Bamberg for their sets and enthusiasm for the idea of the room. Not going to say "room awesome, DJ's played out of their socks, and busy room etc". No, over all a good starting point, floor was busy all night, but room numbers fluctuated all night. But Richard S and I are both happy enough to do it again next year. Soul Sam says hi to everyone and says he'll be back for next year. Thanks to all that came and joined in, especially the dancers, those that never left the floor all night.

Lastly love the 2 hour Stafford set with my old navigator Ady Pountain by my side. Shocking time 5-7 Saturday afternoon, so was so pleased to see so many come to join us. It was fun to be back there if only sound wise for a few hours and clearly the people in the room did.

So all in all fab weekend, for any dissenters, get over yourselves, it's a once a year bit of fun with many old mates, not critical Nato peace talks upon which civilization it's self depends.

Dave

Link for the Soul Source Event Guide entry for the 2014 Prestatyn Weekender

15 Comments

Comments

Premium Stuff

Mar 10 2014 11:58 PM

First off I should say that I was not there. Sounds like a really good event this year - loads going on and great live acts. Hope everyone had a fab time.

On a rather controversial point I saw this comment from someone who is very well respected on the scene about the DJ/music policies - on the usual topic I'm afraid. I can't say whether it is true or not but I just thought it was worth a post (in this internet 'free' world):

Have to say that some of the main room "DJs" at Prestatyn obviously weren't prepared for the turntable cameras....plenty of bootlegs, pressings, carvers and other dodgy vinyl on video...l hope you were suitably embarrassed guys

I'm not trying to stir things up, but for an event such as Prestatyn I was a bit surprised. I think something as big as Prestatyn reflects on the wider scene.

I would think twice about travelling a long way to a venue and spending hard earned dosh if I though DJ's were playing boots.

Sh*t - sorry guys and gals if this upsets anyone. As I said it's just a second hand comment.

Cheers

Richard

mellorful

Mar 11 2014 12:54 AM

I didn't notice any bootlegs, a few second issues and UK issues were played but I have no complaints as they are legitimate issues. Personally I'd rather spend time dancing than checking up on the DJ's and there were some outstanding sets - especially on Sunday evening and the DJ's guys deserve a lot of credit for their outstanding contribution. Struggled on Friday and Saturday to get on the dance floor because it was so busy, wondered whether the Northern room sets could be repeated in a another room a couple of hours later to lighten the pressure on the main room.

Thanks to all the organisers for the event.

Thanks to John, Sean and Nige on Sunday for the blisters on my feet, great music and I was compelled to dance more than is good for the old dogs.

KTF

Premium Stuff

Mar 11 2014 01:38 AM

mellorful, on 10 Mar 2014 - 11:54 PM, said:

I didn't notice any bootlegs, a few second issues and UK issues were played but I have no complaints as they are legitimate issues. Personally I'd rather spend time dancing than checking up on the DJ's and there were some outstanding sets - especially on Sunday evening and the DJ's guys deserve a lot of credit for their outstanding contribution. Struggled on Friday and Saturday to get on the dance floor because it was so busy, wondered whether the Northern room sets could be repeated in a another room a couple of hours later to lighten the pressure on the main room.

Thanks to all the organisers for the event.

Thanks to John, Sean and Nige on Sunday for the blisters on my feet, great music and I was compelled to dance more than is good for the old dogs.

KTF

Good post mate

Twoshoes

Mar 11 2014 08:39 AM

My first Prestatyn and only my second weekender and would have to say it exceeced my expectations, I went intending to hear new stuff to my ears and found the Redemption room where I spent most of my time to be excellent,well done to all who Dj'ed in there..On a couple of points raised above I quite enjoyed browsing the "bazzar" but think it a shame room could not be found for it elsewhere,our time spent in the main room found us standing on every occasion ,obviously more seats would not have guaranteed a seat due to the numbers .As for repeating main room sets not a bad idea in some cases but for me not at the expense of the other smaller rooms losing out on avaliable time, have not the faintest if there is another room somewhere that does not get used.Just the thoughts of a newbie to the weekend scene.

Oh and the Impressions were as everyone seems to agree outstanding

bonhsoulie

Mar 11 2014 09:14 AM

Sound quality. If you pull curtains across during the day, and do sound checks, lo and behold when you pull back the curtains at night you will get a different sound. That is kids stuff!! Also there was very little new in music in the great hall, and repetition- the Stafford set was brilliant Having said that there were one or two excellent sets, not many. How many times was Elijah rockin with soul?

All the upstairs rooms were par excellence.

I took a look at one record seller, and found twenty odd boots in one column-at full price. Also why are people getting booked for the weekend into their chalets to find that 500 wristbands were apparently available to all comers? Which would explain why the floor was heaving. And was there really a ska session? That sounds like last days of Wigan--Spyder was awesome. The quality of drinks was awful. Why couldnt I get a vodka martini? So good and bad in equal measure.. Keep the commercial faith

Mick McGarry

Mar 11 2014 10:51 AM

Premium Stuff, on 10 Mar 2014 - 10:58 PM, said:

First off I should say that I was not there. Sounds like a really good event this year - loads going on and great live acts. Hope everyone had a fab time.

On a rather controversial point I saw this comment from someone who is very well respected on the scene about the DJ/music policies - on the usual topic I'm afraid. I can't say whether it is true or not but I just thought it was worth a post (in this internet 'free' world):

Have to say that some of the main room "DJs" at Prestatyn obviously weren't prepared for the turntable cameras....plenty of bootlegs, pressings, carvers and other dodgy vinyl on video...l hope you were suitably embarrassed guys

I'm not trying to stir things up, but for an event such as Prestatyn I was a bit surprised. I think something as big as Prestatyn reflects on the wider scene.

I would think twice about travelling a long way to a venue and spending hard earned dosh if I though DJ's were playing boots.

Sh*t - sorry guys and gals if this upsets anyone. As I said it's just a second hand comment.

Cheers

Richard

Cliff Steele on Facebook. Why hide it? He hasn't.

Topo1964

Mar 11 2014 07:33 PM

Who cares what the 45,s are as long they sound good! It's all about the music not how much their worth,we were there a great night had by all :-)

Premium Stuff, on 10 Mar 2014 - 10:58 PM, said:

First off I should say that I was not there. Sounds like a really good event this year - loads going on and great live acts. Hope everyone had a fab time.

On a rather controversial point I saw this comment from someone who is very well respected on the scene about the DJ/music policies - on the usual topic I'm afraid. I can't say whether it is true or not but I just thought it was worth a post (in this internet 'free' world):

Have to say that some of the main room "DJs" at Prestatyn obviously weren't prepared for the turntable cameras....plenty of bootlegs, pressings, carvers and other dodgy vinyl on video...l hope you were suitably embarrassed guys

I'm not trying to stir things up, but for an event such as Prestatyn I was a bit surprised. I think something as big as Prestatyn reflects on the wider scene.

I would think twice about travelling a long way to a venue and spending hard earned dosh if I though DJ's were playing boots.

Sh*t - sorry guys and gals if this upsets anyone. As I said it's just a second hand comment.

Cheers

Richard

Phillipf1234

Mar 12 2014 08:04 AM

It is not about what the label is or whether that particular piece of vinyl is worth mega bucks.

its about the floor .. Its about filling floor with people who have paid to listen and dance to good music .. Do they care if it is a pressing or not .. No they don't its only some pretentious Dj On his high horse about what he has or has not got or what he sees someone else playing.

Prestatyn was excellent music and excellent live acts - however the accommodation is total crap and filthy and the food is no better so if they want my money again they will need to sort that in this day and age it isn't acceptable....

tfk

Mar 12 2014 09:48 AM

Was down for he Saturday night session - and we had a ball - a very well planned weekender and something there for every one ...well done to all concerned...

Tfk

tfk

Mar 12 2014 10:14 AM

" The Impressions" are and were fantastic !!!

Tfk

Ian Dewhirst

Mar 12 2014 12:53 PM

A great weekend all round even though I only saw it in staggered glimpses as I was busy filming interviews in a room upstairs most of the time!

I think one of the most significant things for me was seeing a sizable amount of young respectful and energetic people there this year which energized the atmosphere for me.

And I didn't see any bootlegs on the screen on the odd occasions when I looked up there. Just stone solid rare originals. I think there's some mischief-makers out there who just want to be critical of an incredibly successful event!

Ian D

Winsford Soul

Mar 12 2014 05:46 PM

Few comments from me. Firstly the impressions where as good as it gets. Was great to catch up with people that you tend to lose touch with for one reason or another. Few questions. Why isn't there a seperate area for the market type stalls like there used to be ie in the bandit / fruit machine area. And why was the bar in the main room made to queue from one side when the other bars where as per normal and what happened to the seating area in front of the bar. Promoters over to you. Steve

Brett F

Mar 16 2014 12:01 AM

So who played bootlegs....i see a lack of playlists ...

soulperson

Mar 18 2014 07:48 PM

lots of bootlegs were played.a certain dj springs to mind but wouldnt be nice to say his name.i do not agree with bootlegs.the djs that have paid a lot of money for the real record cannot play it if its been played earlier,even though it was on a boot leg.not fair & not right imo

Rob Alias

Mar 19 2014 11:05 PM

All the unimportant stuff.