What Do You Really Want From A Venue?

[ImberBoy]

What do you really want from a venue?

Do you want to hear the Kev Roberts Top 500?

Do you want a safe mix of every thing?

Do you want an evening of new and exiting music that you can dance to?

There are many different venues who promise us things, some fall very short in their delivery and there are many who follow the formula.

I went to maxims on Saturday night, there where two allnighters to choose from this particular evening and it was a 50 50 coin toss as to where I chose. A decision never the less had to be made and I chose Maxims in Wigan.

What di you choose to do and why?

Maxims is a club that reminds me of the eighties and early nineties before the third wave of Northernsoul and dare I say a better time? Well it was certainly the leaner years with quality venues and less hand baggers, letters to the usual address.

What we got at Maxims was a better and more distilled package, the venue it self can hold over a thousand people! The dance floor is big enough with out it swallowing us all up, there is ample room to mingle and yet it retains its coziness.

I love the idea that we are in a "disco", the music system is by far more superior than most of the nighter venues I have been to and the positioning of the DJ's add to the atmosphere making them centre stage yet not dominating the landscape.

If you didn't go on Saturday night then why not? I'll tell you what you missed. No I'll tell you first what it was not, it wasn't Wigan Casino, I have to mention this because there may have been a slight preconception? Sat near me where two local ladies with faces like slapped arses, Imberboy decided to investigate why, They told me that they had asked for Frank Wilson and Out on the floor and couldn't understand why the DJ didn't have them, I explained the music policy of rare and progressive sounds but this was like trying to educate pork!

I am sorry for the two ladies but you have to read the label before you open the tin.

No back to what you missed if you didn't go, first up was Caz, Caz had the unenviable task of playing to a cold floor as the venue was filling up, never the less caz belts out stormer after stormer with the deftness of some one who knows and loves the dance floor, about time Caz was given a later slot me thinks?

I was in mingle mode so the next Jock I saw was Sean Chapman, now if you don't know of this young man or if you have never heard him then trust me any journey will be well worth it to experience his dynamic enthusiasm that literally infects the dance floor. I am not going over the top here folks it was like a soul bomb going off and the floor went mental radio rental!

Middleton was never about a place, it was about an attitude. That attitude was for Soul music that was rarely played and for soul music that was progressive, yup you can hear the odd anthem but for me it was the pinnacle of Northernsoul that makes DJ's raise their game and that Middleton Sound, that Middleton attitude is very much alive and kicking the living shat out of the competition, if there is such a thing as competition to this very unique brand of allnighter?

We where treated to some new faces, new faces to me, maybe I need to get away from the M62 corridor, we were treated to some new sounds that made me drool and wonder where these gems keep getting unearthed from, this is what I got into Northernsoul for in the first place and this is what keeps me going, a determination by the record gurus to keep pushing the boundaries and it is here at Maxims that we have our church and it is a broad church indeed.

Just when I think the water is clearing, Soul sam steps up to the plate and what he did this night was like watching The Sorcerer's Apprentice as magic came out of the speakers. Sam aint every ones cup of tea I know because he refuses to follow any lead, Sam is Maxims cup of tea and we love him with milk and sugar and a massive slice of Battenberg and chocolate hob knobs.

By now my legs where getting cramp but the night was far from over as Bob took position behind the decks. Bob made the mid session of Maxims sound flat in comparison to what he played and the pace was turned up to fever pitch, each and every track made me smile as I watched the dancers rejuvenate and bust their funky shapes. If you could have recorded Bobs set we would have had the next biggest Northernsoul CD and I would name it "Simply Quality"

How can you follow a true professional who is definitely at the top of his game? Well Robbo steps up with unflinching modesty and crowns the night with a splendid mix of old and new giving every one present a feeling that each track has been especially selected for them, Robbo doesn't stamp his personality onto his set, rather he offers it unassuming the mantle of a great man and a fantastic end to a fantastic night.

Middleton is dead, long live Maxims!

If you are in any doubt what so ever that this is just another Northernsoul venue than let me put your mind at rest, it is not, it is magic..

We will watch this grow and grow. Yes there are many who are still in mourning for Middleton but the soul is still alive and the bricks and mortar we left behind a few miles down the road are just building materials they have as much magic now as a shopping center.

Maxims is what the Northernsoul scene needs and wants, check it out.

[Ged Parker]

The music, there is nothing but the music for me.

I know you don't know exactly what will be played at any venue (well maybe just a few venues ) but the line-up of DJ's should tell you the venues attitude. I didn't know I would hear Cory Cornell at Maximes but I did know I had more chance of being pleasantly suprised like that by the DJ line up at Maxiimes than anywhere else.

I have been to Rugby a few times and DJed for Sian and Dean who are perfect hosts. I always found Rugby to be great especially the mix in the small room but I was DJing at Maximes so had to be there . In any case I'd have chosen Maximes over anywhere in the country.

For me it was a shame Maximes and Rugby ended up on the same night but that's another debate entirely.

[ImberBoy]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Odf0KpluvgM&feature=player_embedded

Sean Chapman dusted off this old Imber Village Soul Club sound on Saturday Night, its going for over two grand!

[Guest]

Look backs

[Guest]

For me it was a shame Maximes and Rugby ended up on the same night but that's another debate entirely.

And yeh what kind off plannin' is this,allways Rugby and Wigan (Middleton) why ? i would like to go to both and when they dont clash you'll find most of us there at Wigan incl Sian and me instead of Dean cause he's a part timer

Happy soulin' Ken

[Guest Soultown andy]

As ive said countless times ken we've had practicaly same dates for 7 yrs,and we've always been a niter its just one of those things m8.

[Guest]

As ive said countless times ken we've had practicaly same dates for 7 yrs,and we've always been a niter its just one of those things m8.

S'pose mate,but it would be good to do both

[good angel]

What do you really want from a venue?

Do you want to hear the Kev Roberts Top 500?

Do you want a safe mix of every thing?

Do you want an evening of new and exiting music that you can dance to?

There are many different venues who promise us things, some fall very short in their delivery and there are many who follow the formula.

I went to maxims on Saturday night, there where two allnighters to choose from this particular evening and it was a 50 50 coin toss as to where I chose. A decision never the less had to be made and I chose Maxims in Wigan.

What di you choose to do and why?

Maxims is a club that reminds me of the eighties and early nineties before the third wave of Northernsoul and dare I say a better time? Well it was certainly the leaner years with quality venues and less hand baggers, letters to the usual address.

What we got at Maxims was a better and more distilled package, the venue it self can hold over a thousand people! The dance floor is big enough with out it swallowing us all up, there is ample room to mingle and yet it retains its coziness.

I love the idea that we are in a "disco", the music system is by far more superior than most of the nighter venues I have been to and the positioning of the DJ's add to the atmosphere making them centre stage yet not dominating the landscape.

If you didn't go on Saturday night then why not? I'll tell you what you missed. No I'll tell you first what it was not, it wasn't Wigan Casino, I have to mention this because there may have been a slight preconception? Sat near me where two local ladies with faces like slapped arses, Imberboy decided to investigate why, They told me that they had asked for Frank Wilson and Out on the floor and couldn't understand why the DJ didn't have them, I explained the music policy of rare and progressive sounds but this was like trying to educate pork!

I am sorry for the two ladies but you have to read the label before you open the tin.

No back to what you missed if you didn't go, first up was Caz, Caz had the unenviable task of playing to a cold floor as the venue was filling up, never the less caz belts out stormer after stormer with the deftness of some one who knows and loves the dance floor, about time Caz was given a later slot me thinks?

I was in mingle mode so the next Jock I saw was Sean Chapman, now if you don't know of this young man or if you have never heard him then trust me any journey will be well worth it to experience his dynamic enthusiasm that literally infects the dance floor. I am not going over the top here folks it was like a soul bomb going off and the floor went mental radio rental!

Middleton was never about a place, it was about an attitude. That attitude was for Soul music that was rarely played and for soul music that was progressive, yup you can hear the odd anthem but for me it was the pinnacle of Northernsoul that makes DJ's raise their game and that Middleton Sound, that Middleton attitude is very much alive and kicking the living shat out of the competition, if there is such a thing as competition to this very unique brand of allnighter?

We where treated to some new faces, new faces to me, maybe I need to get away from the M62 corridor, we were treated to some new sounds that made me drool and wonder where these gems keep getting unearthed from, this is what I got into Northernsoul for in the first place and this is what keeps me going, a determination by the record gurus to keep pushing the boundaries and it is here at Maxims that we have our church and it is a broad church indeed.

Just when I think the water is clearing, Soul sam steps up to the plate and what he did this night was like watching The Sorcerer's Apprentice as magic came out of the speakers. Sam aint every ones cup of tea I know because he refuses to follow any lead, Sam is Maxims cup of tea and we love him with milk and sugar and a massive slice of Battenberg and chocolate hob knobs.

By now my legs where getting cramp but the night was far from over as Bob took position behind the decks. Bob made the mid session of Maxims sound flat in comparison to what he played and the pace was turned up to fever pitch, each and every track made me smile as I watched the dancers rejuvenate and bust their funky shapes. If you could have recorded Bobs set we would have had the next biggest Northernsoul CD and I would name it "Simply Quality"

How can you follow a true professional who is definitely at the top of his game? Well Robbo steps up with unflinching modesty and crowns the night with a splendid mix of old and new giving every one present a feeling that each track has been especially selected for them, Robbo doesn't stamp his personality onto his set, rather he offers it unassuming the mantle of a great man and a fantastic end to a fantastic night.

Middleton is dead, long live Maxims!

If you are in any doubt what so ever that this is just another Northernsoul venue than let me put your mind at rest, it is not, it is magic..

We will watch this grow and grow. Yes there are many who are still in mourning for Middleton but the soul is still alive and the bricks and mortar we left behind a few miles down the road are just building materials they have as much magic now as a shopping center.

Maxims is what the Northernsoul scene needs and wants, check it out.

Simon,

I have to agree with you,we must have similar tastes,

All I kept seeing from you allnight was one big grin

so I knew you was having a goooood time.

Like you said the sound system was spot on,John who was with me is a sound engineer, also said it was very good

All the best mate,see you soon.

Kev.

[Guest dundeedavie]

i read all that thinking it was a question and not a venue report from saturday

[good angel]

i read all that thinking it was a question and not a venue report from saturday

Sorry,Davie,

But Maximes is what style I want in a Allnighter

Kev.

[Guest dundeedavie]

Sorry,Davie,

But Maximes is what style I want in a Allnighter

Kev.

oh i'm not arguing with ya but surely with middleton being run in the professional manner it always was you must have known it'd be good ... andy knows what it takes to run a do

[Guest Perception]

33.3% Classics, 33.3% Newer sounds and 33.3% collectors stuff that should be played, but isn't!

60's or 70's does not matter, as long as it's quality Northern Soul!

No flashing lights and shut the bar at 2.00!

Edited September 16, 2009 by Perception

[Guest DeeJay]

What do you really want from a venue?

Sounds good to me (The answers so far) how come we don't get playlists anymore?

DJ