A lookback at Sleepless Nites Dublin 21 Dec 2003 Chris W

Tuesday of this week I called Karl Rhodes to make arrangements to meet up to go to Camel on Friday, change of plans Karl said we are now going to Dublin to Sleepless Nights, got flights for twenty quid he says fancy it?

Dublin "Your Too Darn Soulful"

Tuesday of this week I called Karl Rhodes to make arrangements to meet up to go to Camel on Friday, change of plans Karl said we are now going to Dublin to Sleepless Nights, got flights for twenty quid he says fancy it? Can’t wait says I, Thursday evening I get a call from Karl change of plan! Shit I’m thinking no Dublin, flights fallen through but we are now going on the boat from Holyhead, ten pound return we sail at 8.15pm, in Dublin for 10pm RESULT say I as I put the phone down and start practising the hornpipe Well Friday night we land in Dublin crossing was a breeze get taxi "Where you of to folks?" Doyle’s Bar please we reply "."Which one? Blank expressions all round "Do you know how many bars in Dublin are called feckin Doyle’s? Clam down Seamus, one quick phone call later Fleet Street please, Grand says Seamus. Up two Flights of stairs and we are in, welcomed by Danny Duggan the promoter of Sleepless Nights. Turn left to put our coats down and who do we see but the North Wales Mafia, I swear if they held a soul night on the dark side of the Moon these guys would be their an hour before the rest of us, these guys really are the foot soldiers of the soul scene they are everywhere!

Well the venue is a room above a bar in the centre of the city what struck me first was how young the crowd was more than half of them were nineteen to early twenty’s this I found a refreshing change, I stood there in awe thinking yes we can bring the younger element in to this wonderful scene of ours the proof was in front of me, all be it there was only thirty or so younger guys and girls there it’s a start. Well what about the DJ line up, well when we landed a young lad called Pip was on and I was impressed, see a bright future ahead, next up Danny Duggan this guy worked the dance floor really well with some quality tunes, he knows his stuff I think he would go down well in Manchester, well next up Steve Thomas played an awesome set, I think Steve is one of the best DJ’s in the UK at the moment and I’ve seen him play three times in the last month each time I thought he could not top the last set, how wrong I was.

By the time the last DJ came on I had taken one to many of the black stuff so I did not catch his name (sorry) the dance floor stayed busy so I can only say a job well done. Well is Sleepless Nights worth a look? Yes, because you won’t find a friendlier crowd. Yes, because the music is Quality. And Yes because its only ten quid on the boat, well worth a look Danny and the gang thanks for a good night Cheers Chris Waterman