BobA's UK Scene Questions

[Chalky]

There has been two scenes for years Bob, right back to the 70's so nothing has really changed since then,we've just got older and less inclined to travel, the high cost of travelling is also another factor why some no longer want to travel.

By and large the vast majority of the scene (well two scenes) have no interest as you rightly point out in progressing musically. They simply want a night out with friends and a taxi home. They don't really care what the music is as long as it doesn't detract from their comfort zone. They don't seem to care that they heard the DJ the week before playing the same records. It's like going to the same night club for 30 odd years and listening to the same top 40!

Others do care about what they hear. They still want a good night out with some laughs (contrary to what some think they don't stand there stroking their chins all night) but they wish to hear something a bit more stimulating, something they haven't heard before or for some time. They want to hear a DJ with some imagination putting together a thoughtful set. But they are in a minority. The scene is dying a slow painful death. If no one comes over to the progressive side, or the events who program DJ's with imagination, featuring unknown, semi knowns and lesser payed material along side quality oldies then not too far down the line when all the older retro soulies have disappeared there will be little of a social scene left. So in reality even though the two scenes are poles apart one does have an effect on the other.

[Guest ritchie]

There has been two scenes for years Bob, right back to the 70's so nothing has really changed since then,we've just got older and less inclined to travel, the high cost of travelling is also another factor why some no longer want to travel.

By and large the vast majority of the scene (well two scenes) have no interest as you rightly point out in progressing musically. They simply want a night out with friends and a taxi home. They don't really care what the music is as long as it doesn't detract from their comfort zone. They don't seem to care that they heard the DJ the week before playing the same records. It's like going to the same night club for 30 odd years and listening to the same top 40!

Others do care about what they hear. They still want a good night out with some laughs (contrary to what some think they don't stand there stroking their chins all night) but they wish to hear something a bit more stimulating, something they haven't heard before or for some time. They want to hear a DJ with some imagination putting together a thoughtful set. But they are in a minority. The scene is dying a slow painful death. If no one comes over to the progressive side, or the events who program DJ's with imagination, featuring unknown, semi knowns and lesser payed material along side quality oldies then not too far down the line when all the older retro soulies have disappeared there will be little of a social scene left. So in reality even though the two scenes are poles apart one does have an effect on the other.

Best summing up I've read , nail on the head time

[boba]

There has been two scenes for years Bob, right back to the 70's so nothing has really changed since then,we've just got older and less inclined to travel, the high cost of travelling is also another factor why some no longer want to travel.

By and large the vast majority of the scene (well two scenes) have no interest as you rightly point out in progressing musically. They simply want a night out with friends and a taxi home. They don't really care what the music is as long as it doesn't detract from their comfort zone. They don't seem to care that they heard the DJ the week before playing the same records. It's like going to the same night club for 30 odd years and listening to the same top 40!

Others do care about what they hear. They still want a good night out with some laughs (contrary to what some think they don't stand there stroking their chins all night) but they wish to hear something a bit more stimulating, something they haven't heard before or for some time. They want to hear a DJ with some imagination putting together a thoughtful set. But they are in a minority. The scene is dying a slow painful death. If no one comes over to the progressive side, or the events who program DJ's with imagination, featuring unknown, semi knowns and lesser payed material along side quality oldies then not too far down the line when all the older retro soulies have disappeared there will be little of a social scene left. So in reality even though the two scenes are poles apart one does have an effect on the other.

OK, this is one of the main things I'm getting at. Jumpinjoan said "why would you want to hear the same songs over and over again." Honestly, this same phenomenon happens with most people and music. For example, in the US at least, there are radio stations that cater to every generation and play the same songs over and over again (for example, an 80s station). Similarly, Herb Kent (legendary Chicago Dusties DJ) is on the radio every Sunday in Chicago. People love listening to his show. He plays good music. But he plays pretty much the same songs every week. I do have a lot of local listeners but the type of listener who listens to my show are of the minority of people who want to dig deeper and hear new tracks that have the same sound. But there are just some people who want to hear the people's choice "do it any way you wanna" over and over again. Playing my show to them isn't going to convert them. They don't even want to hear songs that were minor local hits when they were young but that don't get played anymore.

People here keep saying that the explosion of local nights or the oldies only events or the playing of boots, CDs, and not original vinyl are destroying the scene. But my point is that it seems those things are only a reflection of the group of people that want to hear music that they are familiar with and remind them of their youth. Those people don't want to go to a new venue and hear some new progressive sounds, despite how much people lecture them that they should. What I'm saying is that it really doesn't seem that the scene is dying because of the explosion of local nights, CDs, etc. as these are the people who don't want to hear new sounds anyways. They wouldn't go to a more progressive northern event if they didn't have their local night, they would stay home or do something else like watch a movie. That's why I don't understand all the complaining about events, etc.

This is a totally separate issue than whether the more progressive events should allow OVO or if there are two many of those more progressive events happening at once. I just think that the people who want to reminisce on their youth should be allowed to do so, as they aren't the people killing the scene and they aren't interested in new music, they're just a whole different kind of person who views music differently. The way to keep the scene alive is to get new blood into it, often younger people who don't have some ingrained canon of oldies that they only want to hear. Or even have more events that crossover with other local scenes (e.g. funk, etc.). This type of thing is actually happening in the US and Europe. And it even seems that funk / northern are converging. People should embrace the type of change that keeps their scene alive, rather than trying to lecture the people who don't care.

[Steve G]

Good post and it's as you say the same with most forms of music. I call 'em Status Quo fans - because a) they like the same records they've always liked and b) because like most Quo fans, they have no receptors to hear new music.

Younger people are as you say the lifeblood of the scene, but they are not going to come to venues where their dads and grandads are still going to - which is the problem in the UK. Same with the 'talking heads' that always get wheeled out here to reminisce about "how it used to be". Over her northern and rare soul gets confused which is not surprising as rare soul fans do like northern by and large.

Long live rare soul!

[boba]

Younger people are as you say the lifeblood of the scene, but they are not going to come to venues where their dads and grandads are still going to - which is the problem in the UK. Same with the 'talking heads' that always get wheeled out here to reminisce about "how it used to be". Over her northern and rare soul gets confused which is not surprising as rare soul fans do like northern by and large.

I do think that younger people would mix with older people at "rare soul" events if the music is exciting to them. Honestly, one big part of this is that the traditional canon of oldies (the 60s ones with a pounding rhythm and not many changeups) don't really appeal to the ears of younger people (for example, people like me who grew up with hiphop). But newer, more exciting sounds, and the funk / northern crossover, etc. do. Some US events even play sweet soul at the start.

[Steve G]

Oh great, sweet soul at the start, now there's a thought!

[KevH]

Good post and it's as you say the same with most forms of music. I call 'em Status Quo fans - because a) they like the same records they've always liked and b) because like most Quo fans, they have no receptors to hear new music.

Younger people are as you say the lifeblood of the scene, but they are not going to come to venues where their dads and grandads are still going to - which is the problem in the UK. Same with the 'talking heads' that always get wheeled out here to reminisce about "how it used to be". Over her northern and rare soul gets confused which is not surprising as rare soul fans do like northern by and large.

Long live rare soul!

I call it the "Comfort Zone" Steve.Some people are willing to hear new tunes which are out of their comfort zone.Others are freaked out by it,and return to the womb.Open mindedness is the key.Until you reach that awkward age,when "change" is alien.

[KevH]

Oh great, sweet soul at the start, now there's a thought!

Well yes.The first hour warm up.Why not.?

[Steve G]

I like it....

[boba]

I call it the "Comfort Zone" Steve.Some people are willing to hear new tunes which are out of their comfort zone.Others are freaked out by it,and return to the womb.Open mindedness is the key.Until you reach that awkward age,when "change" is alien.

Yeah, I just don't see what there is to argue and discuss. If there are some people who don't want to hear new sounds or styles, you aren't going to convince them. Making fun of or scolding them doesn't accomplish anything. Live and let live.

I recently DJ'ed some event that was a "soul train reunion" (Karen Heath and Victor showed up as they were in Chicago at that time). I knew that the people wanted to hear hits. But I tried to slip in some local records that were local hits at the time but which Herb Kent doesn't play. Every time I did that the dance floor cleared out except for a few people who were probably more hardcore. It was fun to see everyone dancing to the hits. But obviously this is not the type of event I would want to regularly DJ at. But some DJs who (often who are more ego-driven that music driven) DJ like this all the time. The most open scene in Chicago to new records is the "steppers" scene, although they have their canon of classic records too (e.g. Jeff Perry "love's gonna last") but are open to new records if they have the right sound.

[boba]

I like it....

Actually someone who runs a night in Milwaukee told me that they figured out that they should play sweet soul at the end of the night (this is not an all-nighter obviously). He told me that all the people who wanted to hook up earlier started making out, etc. Obviously also people are tired from dancing all night. Sounds awesome.

[Steve G]

No drugs there then Bob ? That's what keeps some of our dancers up and asking for more......

[boba]

No drugs there then Bob ? That's what keeps some of our dancers up and asking for more......

I don't think people are doing speed. The people dancing are also mostly hipsters. It's definitely not like a rave culture. Lots of them smoke weed I guess but that doesn't make them dance more and they can't really do it inside the venue. The windy city soul club always sell out their events and there's a line out the door. Here is a pic of their new years eve party:

I've seen similar pics of soul clubs in other US cities like Milwaukee, Minneapolis, etc.

[Guest Bearsy]

Thanks, this further explains things for me. That is a crazy number of events though, I know people here are always complaining about the number of events. What is the motivation for all these people to put on the events? Are they making money? Celebrating the music and reliving their youth? Having something local that people don't have to drive far to go to?

motivation - either to dj or make a few £££s not all do it for the music and not many if any make money from djn, not all do it for the money but there are at least 2 different scenes, nostalgia and enjoying what they know, another is wanting to find them next tunes that makes your spine tingle and hairs stand on end and the excitment of not knowing whats coming next,

Local events are popping up everywhere and for many thats all they want cos not everyone wants to or can afford to travel but some places there are only so many soulies to go around but sometimes more than 1 soul event will be fighting for the punters, sad but true and sometimes its a fook you i was here first etc etc etc the days of what the scene used to be has all but gone bar a few hundred hardcore devotees, me i just wish i could afford to go where i wanted to so less for me is fast becoming more for when the chance to go travel for what i need its even better that it ever was before ;-)

[Anais nin Carms]

I don't believe the scene is dying , like you Bob i believe you have different crowds wanting different things one isn't killing the other. To be sure those that want to hear the same stuff every week are the greater percentage. But one thing nobody has mentioned is that the same old can also be applied to a sound that may have been played in the last five years and also classed as an expensive rarity.

Its a question of how many times do you have to hear any sound before you tire of it. You see many fall into the trap of playing what they know works for others so what then happens is everyone is playing the same sound. before you know it you start to tire of the sound whatever camp it sits in.

For me I admire a DJ that changes at least 50% of the sounds with every booking , offers you something fresh and imaginative. Nothing worse than knowing what he/she will play regardless of how much it cost to aquire it. Also someone that is guided by their own taste rather than what works for others is a big plus for me. I love hearing collectors play for the "love" of sharing their collection offers the best scenario where people have played doing it for no payment offers the greatest reward musicaslly. I guess because money isn't involved and the pressure is removed to please the larger crowd along with no reputation to maintain all adds to the best coming out of a player.... there is no fear of failing to please.

Yes I find the collectors rooms inspire me the most nowadays.

Edited January 23, 2012 by Carms

[Guest jerrio]

I do think that younger people would mix with older people at "rare soul" events if the music is exciting to them. Honestly, one big part of this is that the traditional canon of oldies (the 60s ones with a pounding rhythm and not many changeups) don't really appeal to the ears of younger people (for example, people like me who grew up with hiphop). But newer, more exciting sounds, and the funk / northern crossover, etc. do. Some US events even play sweet soul at the start.

Theres a night I go to in Newcastle called Souled out, Both DJs and punters are younger,playlists are fresh and the Djs are not afraid to try new things,Its the youth that will atract youth imo

[Steve G]

Yes I agree Jerrio.

There are still collectors out there too (not that many in the UK now) who don't go to venues but quietly buy records.

[John Elias]

Yes I agree Jerrio.

There are still collectors out there too (not that many in the UK now) who don't go to venues but quietly buy records.

There are MANY collectors who don't go to venues anymore......

[MrsWoodsrules]

I was talking to a lad at Lowton who has a personal collection of 50,000 & he said he's never sold a record in his life, said he doesn't go out much either.

Aid.

[Chalky]

Theres a night I go to in Newcastle called Souled out, Both DJs and punters are younger,playlists are fresh and the Djs are not afraid to try new things,Its the youth that will atract youth imo

What is the average attendance?

I've said it before youngsters are few and far between on this scene and where there are a decent younger crowd they are city based, often with university etc. take the one in Manchester, packed but hardly any travel to your all-nighters around the country, infact not many travel outside Manchester except to maybe another Mod type club. I see Callum about and a few others but not too many.

As for youth attracting youth, does that mean get rid of older More experienced Dj's for the sake of a younger one? there are plenty of more experienced Dj's offering fresh and imaginative playlists and to be brutally honest not many younger Dj's have anything to offer that isn't already on offer from more experienced Dj's with a wealth of knowledge and experience to fall back on. That's not to say youth shouldn't be given a chance to shine, they should be given a chance and Lifeline (as well as others) has given the likes of the beat boutique lads (just one turned up) the chance, Paul did a great set too. Radcliffe regularly has younger lads behind the deck.

I disagree with Bob, youngsters don't want to mix with people old enough to be there grand parents wearing clothes from the 70's, it's just not cool. Many soul nights the majority are the wrong side of 40 or 50, some over 60. These can't go on for ever, sooner or later they will once again leave this scene and it will be underground with a small hardcore once again. The scene as we know it is slowly dying (attendances are suffering up and down the country even now), it wil take some years but very few youngsters are coming through to replace an ageing scene.

[Dave2]

Actually someone who runs a night in Milwaukee told me that they figured out that they should play sweet soul at the end of the night (this is not an all-nighter obviously). He told me that all the people who wanted to hook up earlier started making out, etc. Obviously also people are tired from dancing all night. Sounds awesome.

Yes!! That's the power of Soul! Whack on some 'sweet'...! Everyone instantly thinks about going home together to create the next beautiful generation of Soul youth! (They grow up to become the next generation of soul DJ's/ dancers / punters / collectors/ promoters. Possible future thread here:- Favourite Sweet Soul tracks... and Conception! er....... hope I haven't offended anybody...! ) Seriously though, I enjoy sweet soul, but emphasis in the UK being Northern Soul dancing with evenings/ Allnighters usually ending the last few records that feel - in my opinion - as "a finale" - generally popular, great dancing mid-tempo Northern tracks (rather than sweet soul possibly not widely known/ slow. We leave generally satisfied with the memory that last 2 or 3 records played 'were special' because they rounded off the night /event quite nicely! - and the majority in the room enjoyed the opportunity to 'last dance' to 'em. Sweet soul though, love it. Do people say that a 'good dancer' is one that can perform at any tempo/ speed? (Don't answer that!) Edited January 23, 2012 by dave2

[Dave2]

I don't believe the scene is dying , like you Bob i believe you have different crowds wanting different things one isn't killing the other. To be sure those that want to hear the same stuff every week are the greater percentage. But one thing nobody has mentioned is that the same old can also be applied to a sound that may have been played in the last five years and also classed as an expensive rarity.

Its a question of how many times do you have to hear any sound before you tire of it. You see many fall into the trap of playing what they know works for others so what then happens is everyone is playing the same sound. before you know it you start to tire of the sound whatever camp it sits in.

For me I admire a DJ that changes at least 50% of the sounds with every booking , offers you something fresh and imaginative. Nothing worse than knowing what he/she will play regardless of how much it cost to aquire it. Also someone that is guided by their own taste rather than what works for others is a big plus for me. I love hearing collectors play for the "love" of sharing their collection offers the best scenario where people have played doing it for no payment offers the greatest reward musicaslly. I guess because money isn't involved and the pressure is removed to please the larger crowd along with no reputation to maintain all adds to the best coming out of a player.... there is no fear of failing to please.

Yes I find the collectors rooms inspire me the most nowadays.

Yeah, good points. Depends on personal taste as to saturation of a song until it becomes stale as not like-able anymore. (I must have liked Al Wilson's The Snake at one point!)

Personally, there are songs that are hammered but I still enjoy them and I can't explain why!

Without doubt, the 'more astute' DJ will continously work hard to replenish their gems, and this positively adds to their reputation. A combination of DJ box purge to add fresh stuff (re-activation / new discovery), and the reliance that classic faves can always be pulled from the box anytime, is how I perceive a Northern Soul DJ to be.

I think the pressure is still on a DJ regardless of who you are (reputation), even if no payment is involved. The room could be full of friends /peers / rivals even! Any dancefloor can be demanding. You'd probably feel more relaxed though, thus will enjoy it more, thus more likely to create a better mix without worrying about the usual spoils.

[Mace]

What is the average attendance?

I've said it before youngsters are few and far between on this scene and where there are a decent younger crowd they are city based, often with university etc. take the one in Manchester, packed but hardly any travel to your all-nighters around the country, infact not many travel outside Manchester except to maybe another Mod type club. I see Callum about and a few others but not too many.

I really don't think most youngsters would consider travelling to a venue outside of their city centre nowadays, but then again, weren't many of the successful Soul venues of yesteryear, from the Wheel, Torch, Casino, TOTW located near or in town centres.

I'm well aware that plenty of folk travelled from afar for these venues, especially as their reputation grew, but they probably had a better chance to succeed than some-where out in the sticks as they could also attract a decent local crowd.

[Chalky]

I really don't think most youngsters would consider travelling to a venue outside of their city centre nowadays, but then again, weren't many of the successful Soul venues of yesteryear, from the Wheel, Torch, Casino, TOTW located near or in town centres.

I'm well aware that plenty of folk travelled from afar for these venues, especially as their reputation grew, but they probably had a better chance to succeed than some-where out in the sticks as they could also attract a decent local crowd.

Wigan nor Stafford your typical major city like Manchester? What I'm saying is would places like the Beat Boutique in Manchester or Souled Out in Newcastle work in a much smaller town with out a large student/youth population. Would the Beat Boutique clientele travel to the middle of nowhere or some run down working mens club in some back water town or village like we used to do and still do in many cases.

I accept some youngsters are into the music just like we are but others see it as a more social thing with the added bonus of some good music who are probably not into this for the long term?

[boba]

In order for younger people to travel somewhere there has to be a buzz about the location / event and it has to seem really hip. Old northern soul events that have been going on for a long time and which are populated by older people do not seem hip are not going to attract young people. In Chicago, the "Windy City Soul Club" has a hip reputation as tons of younger people come out to dance to a whole new genre (to them) of great sounding music. It also didn't happen instantly but now they always sell out. Their events start at like 10, last time I was driving by their event at midnight there was still a huge line outside of people who wanted to get int (and it was very cold).

If someone manages to spin a genre of music that actually appeals to younger people (and there is plenty of soul and funk that would), create a scene around it, and have appropriate / hip venues, I'd imagine a new generation might get into the music.

[Steve G]

Yes and I think for all his faults, this is what James Trouble tried to do in London a few years ago, which as a City has always had problems on the travelling side. Problem is I think these trendies can be a bit fickle....and can vanish as quicky as the snow melts in a Chicago suburb in January Bob....

[Chalky]

In order for younger people to travel somewhere there has to be a buzz about the location / event and it has to seem really hip. Old northern soul events that have been going on for a long time and which are populated by older people do not seem hip are not going to attract young people. In Chicago, the "Windy City Soul Club" has a hip reputation as tons of younger people come out to dance to a whole new genre (to them) of great sounding music. It also didn't happen instantly but now they always sell out. Their events start at like 10, last time I was driving by their event at midnight there was still a huge line outside of people who wanted to get int (and it was very cold).

If someone manages to spin a genre of music that actually appeals to younger people (and there is plenty of soul and funk that would), create a scene around it, and have appropriate / hip venues, I'd imagine a new generation might get into the music.

Sorry Bob but it doesn't work like that here. The youngsters that attend clubs such as I've mentioned simply do not travel, a few do but by and large they don't. They have no wish to leave their own particular area.

As said most that attend are old enough to be some of the kids grand-parents and no matter how funky, hip or cool its not cool enough. Added to that some of the venues are in working men's clubs, and halls that have seen better days, some venues are dumps that I've no wish to attend let alone some trendy 20 year old.

Their venues are not offering anything that isn't out there across the country. It is nothing to do with the music being hip or cool or somewhere having a buzz. Plenty of places play music that is fresh, imaginative and some of the djs have records others can only dream about but they struggle to attract paying customers.

[Mace]

Would the Beat Boutique clientele travel to the middle of nowhere or some run down working mens club in some back water town or village like we used to do and still do in many cases.

Absolutely not, it's just a night out to most of them, a few will absorb more and more of the music, some will simply appreciate it, most will just enjoy it for what it is...a night out dancing, drinking & copping off.

We travelled when we were young cus were were part of a scene (Northern or Mod etc)

There is no current scene to attract these kids, the scene that exists is made of old farts, predominately blokes.

I had a healthy Northern scene on my doorstep in Stoke when I was young, but preferred to travel to Birmingham most weekends to be amongst likeminded mods of my own age....I occasionally went to Northern Nights/Nighters in Stoke, as well as places like The Raven in Whitchurch, then moreso as the music took more priority, but most of the folks there were still 10 -15 years older than me and most nights were chosen dependant on meeting up with similar aged mates on scooters from Chester etc.

Some youngsters will inevitably try to create their own scene from the ideals of the mod and northern scenes...GoGo Children, Beat Boutique etc, but why would they feel the need to travel out to the sticks to some working mens club when they can set up a venue in a city centre and invite as many of their mates along as possible.

The music will be there forever...the scene as we know it, 5-10 years max I'd say, possibly less.

Edited January 24, 2012 by Mace

[Ceejay]

What is the average attendance?

I've said it before youngsters are few and far between on this scene and where there are a decent younger crowd they are city based, often with university etc. take the one in Manchester, packed but hardly any travel to your all-nighters around the country, infact not many travel outside Manchester except to maybe another Mod type club. I see Callum about and a few others but not too many.

As for youth attracting youth, does that mean get rid of older More experienced Dj's for the sake of a younger one? there are plenty of more experienced Dj's offering fresh and imaginative playlists and to be brutally honest not many younger Dj's have anything to offer that isn't already on offer from more experienced Dj's with a wealth of knowledge and experience to fall back on. That's not to say youth shouldn't be given a chance to shine, they should be given a chance and Lifeline (as well as others) has given the likes of the beat boutique lads (just one turned up) the chance, Paul did a great set too. Radcliffe regularly has younger lads behind the deck.

I disagree with Bob, youngsters don't want to mix with people old enough to be there grand parents wearing clothes from the 70's, it's just not cool. Many soul nights the majority are the wrong side of 40 or 50, some over 60. These can't go on for ever, sooner or later they will once again leave this scene and it will be underground with a small hardcore once again. The scene as we know it is slowly dying (attendances are suffering up and down the country even now), it wil take some years but very few youngsters are coming through to replace an ageing scene.

Not 100 per cent on this but I think Callum has something to do with promoting Souled Out...............

[Mace]

Not 100 per cent on this but I think Callum has something to do with promoting Souled Out...............

Callum does indeed run Souled Out, think his average attendance figures run around the 150 mark, but I could be mistaken cus I was as p*ssed as a newt when I went

[Ceejay]

I was as p*ssed as a newt when I went

There's a shock, lol...............

[Mace]

There's a shock, lol...............

No comment.....

[Chalky]

Not 100 per cent on this but I think Callum has something to do with promoting Souled Out...............

he does as Mace says and I've a lot of time for Callum as well. Clearly loves the music and gets about.

[Ceejay]

I've a lot of time for Callum as well. Clearly loves the music and gets about.

Me too Chalky.............smashing lad!!!

Edited January 24, 2012 by Carol J

[Marc Forrest]

Well yes.The first hour warm up.Why not.?

Oh great, sweet soul at the start, now there's a thought!

Thats the way I start of every single Hip City..with 60 minutes of Deep and Sweet Soul. Thankfully our regulars are between the age of 19 to 65, a mixture of young dancers, mods, skins and soulies and hardcore collectors.

[Sean Hampsey]

Thats the way I start of every single Hip City..with 60 minutes of Deep and Sweet Soul. Thankfully our regulars are between the age of 19 to 65, a mixture of young dancers, mods, skins and soulies and hardcore collectors.

Same at Just Soul, Mark.

Folk arrive early doors to hear the Deep and Soulful stuff for the first couple of hours.

It works well with the Just Soul crowd, because they appreciate quality soul, regardless of tempo.

Sean

[Ernie Andrews]

Thanks, this further explains things for me. That is a crazy number of events though, I know people here are always complaining about the number of events. What is the motivation for all these people to put on the events? Are they making money? Celebrating the music and reliving their youth? Having something local that people don't have to drive far to go to?

15 minutes of fame Bob thats why they do it DJ that is with Boots!

[Marc Forrest]

Same at Just Soul, Mark.

Folk arrive early doors to hear the Deep and Soulful stuff for the first couple of hours.

It works well with the Just Soul crowd, because they appreciate quality soul, regardless of tempo.

Sean

Fabulous, great to hear Sean! I remember a year ago or so somebody came to the decks to me offering me a tissue saying "listening to the tunes you play I thought you would need one" LOL still remember teh tune and wont forget for some time to come "My Heart Is Yours" Little Willie (Johnson) ;)

Marc

[Spacehopper]

"Some youngsters will inevitably try to create their own scene from the ideals of the mod and northern scenes...GoGo Children, ".....cheers mace if youre calling us at go go children youngsters!...im 45 in a couple of months and im the baby by a good few years!.....

maybe ive misunderstood and you mean the youngsters in a go go crowd...as with all big city soul nights we do get some youngsters who are getting to know the tunes ,some coming out of hip hop,breakbeat and funk scenes or influenenced by the mod/two tone eras...but i agree at the moment they do not travel...hopefully in the future enough will!...they dont seem to mind dancin side by side with oldies,infact most after the intial shock are i believe impressed....our venue is also above a pub,has lots of djs/bands of various genres and is not the normal sports hall type...

i came on the scene through the 80s scooter scene and like you in the 70s wasnt bothered by the travelling...

dean

[Mike Lofthouse]

Same at Just Soul, Mark.

Folk arrive early doors to hear the Deep and Soulful stuff for the first couple of hours.

It works well with the Just Soul crowd, because they appreciate quality soul, regardless of tempo.

Sean

its pretty Deep and Soulful for the rest of the night too - albeit marginally faster

[Wiggyflat]

Not 100 per cent on this but I think Callum has something to do with promoting Souled Out...............

And I thought the workies clubs were retro trendy..throw the darts players cabaret turns out and get with it.Have you seen what sort of nights this club has on!!!! It's cetainly not wheeltappers and shunters.https://www.workersplaytime.net/whatsonOctober.htm although i'm ditching the northern soul for northern cabaret funk https://www.amazon.co.uk/Working-Mans-Soul-Various-Artists/dp/B000J3F7N8

[Ljblanken]

I think one thing that needs to be stated (and Bob alluded to this when he discussed American "oldies" radio stations) is that they only cover a TINY percentage of soul. I think (for whatever reason) that the average British person on the street knows alot more soul oldies than americans do. So a "tired oldie" in UK (like "this old heart of mine" by Isley Bros) would be an unheard-of rarity for the average american.

I live/DJ in Monterey, CA (a small coastal town). There is no population of hipsters (like SF or Chicago). I put on small soul nights at local pubs etc, and play what I want to play (because I am making no money), but also try and keep the people happy. This is tough because no one knows anything about black music at all.

For example, these are the ONLY soul requests I get EVERY time I DJ: "respect" by A Franklin, "sexual healing" by M Gaye, or "something by Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Supremes" and often, if I ask for a specific title by these folks - they can't even name one! Not one! They just know the names! Some of these are college kids (who are always furiously searching on their i-phones for things to request) and some are older people. Even when I DJ for older black folks (I sometimes spin at a VFW for Vietnam war era black veterans), they have an extremely poor range of musical knowledge.

In other words, I think "moldy oldies" in england would include a FAR wider range of interesting soul music than in america. Maybe I am just being a crank!

Edited February 1, 2012 by ljblanken

[boba]

I think one thing that needs to be stated (and Bob alluded to this when he discussed American "oldies" radio stations) is that they only cover a TINY percentage of soul. I think (for whatever reason) that the average British person on the street knows alot more soul oldies than americans do. So a "tired oldie" in UK (like "this old heart of mine" by Isley Bros) would be an unheard-of rarity for the average american.

I live/DJ in Monterey, CA (a small coastal town). There is no population of hipsters (like SF or Chicago). I put on small soul nights at local pubs etc, and play what I want to play (because I am making no money), but also try and keep the people happy. This is tough because no one knows anything about black music at all.

For example, these are the ONLY soul requests I get EVERY time I DJ: "respect" by A Franklin, "sexual healing" by M Gaye, or "something by Ray Charles, Stevie Wonder, Temptations, Supremes" and often, if I ask for a specific title by these folks - they can't even name one! Not one! They just know the names! Some of these are college kids (who are always furiously searching on their i-phones for things to request) and some are older people. Even when I DJ for older black folks (I sometimes spin at a VFW for Vietnam war era black veterans), they have an extremely poor range of musical knowledge.

In other words, I think "moldy oldies" in england would include a FAR wider range of interesting soul music than in america. Maybe I am just being a crank!

Chicago has a distinct "oldies" versus "dusties" scene. "Dusties" is a word invented in Chicago (I think some other places use it now) for older R&B tracks that got played on Black radio. The "oldies" station (the main one, which died a few years ago) plays records that got played on a large pop station. It pretty much alternates between a motown type track and a beatles type track. The only "dusties" show now is Herb Kent on Sundays, which is decent, except the music doesn't really change from week-to-week.

I think it's different from city to city. Like in LA there's DJ art laboe (who coined the word "oldies") playing a specific set of oldies that often caters to a specific hispanic audience.

When people say "oldies" on soul source, they mean northern oldies, which could be very rare and obscure records that nobody played in the US (e.g. the salvadors). It shocks me though when people don't know some huge national soul hits (like James Brown "there was a time"). So I don't think it's comparable in the way you are saying, it's not like northern soul listeners have a deeper knowledge of American soul music, it's just that their oldies are different and obscure. Of course, a large percentage of the people here DO have a deeper knowledge of soul music, because they are fans and collectors.

[Spacehopper]

at the end of the day the states is well...just a bit bigger than the uk!...back in the day here people would travel from all over the uk to a handful of allnighters so it was easy for a tune to suddenly become known everywhere within weeks...a bit harder to break tunes now because although there are more nights on they are 'normally' to a more local crowd or a crowd that already know what they like and what they are gonna get...

not surprised ljblanken get requests for aretha etc.... in 'pub' gigs most people over here who are not on the northern scene also only know these type of trax..

dean

[Ljblanken]

i guess i am just grumpy!

[Dylan]

I was young not that long ago and spent a lot of weekends travelling up and down the country to soul nights and all-nighters.

I've cut back a hell of a lot in the last 6 or so years as I now have 3 young kids.

I was quite keen to get a few DJ spots at one point but didn't get a look in.

But the whole thing keeps going along and even if you step away from it all you know its going to be there again when or if you want to get back.

The choice of nights now is incredible but they are not all for me.