Weekenders....is There A Demand For A Rare Soul Weekender?

[Rob Wigley]

The all-nighters the rooms were open to all but only had problems once when fire alarm went off. The main problem was the manageress.

I knew there was something that made you move to The Stables -a better venue for the All-Nighters-- also around that time The Bell was being "Done Up" room by room and the outbuildings being converted as well if i remember right.

Rob

[Chalky]

The all-nighters the rooms were open to all but only had problems once when fire alarm went off. The main problem was the manageress.

I knew there was something that made you move to The Stables -a better venue for the All-Nighters-- also around that time The Bell was being "Done Up" room by room and the outbuildings being converted as well if i remember right.

Rob

The main reason we moved was cost. A venue the size of the Bell and the outlay in DJ's fee's, equipment etc couldn't be recovered and the dance floor was too small. Great venue for a soul night maybe but not an all-nighter. The conversion and renovation of the rooms didn't effect us really. We got a fantastic deal on the room, £20 a night!! End of the day the manageress didn't want ht hassle of an all-nighter, same with many venues. Many venue owners are just not interested as soon as Northern Soul is mentioned and all-night.

[Rob Wigley]

Better post "On Topic", I think there is a demand for this type of event, but I'd limit it to 2 nights, make it central and with easy Motorway/ rail links.

Dave Moores Spanish event "Hitsville" ticks all the boxes, wish it was in UK with that weather as well ! LOL.

I'd also be inclined to chuck an act in as well

Can we throw in here what peoples ideal DJ line up would be or nominate 1 "Must have" DJ ?

Rob

PS mine would be Honky

[Rob Wigley]

The main reason we moved was cost. A venue the size of the Bell and the outlay in DJ's fee's, equipment etc couldn't be recovered and the dance floor was too small.

Yep, that's the "Real World" Chalky that non-promoters sometimes don't see

Great venue for a soul night maybe but not an all-nighter. The conversion and renovation of the rooms didn't effect us really.

We got a fantastic deal on the room, £20 a night!!

End of the day the manageress didn't want ht hassle of an all-nighter, same with many venues. Many venue owners are just not interested as soon as Northern Soul is mentioned and all-night.

It's down to staffing and paying them and also the clean -up costs on a Sunday morning-double time and you're right that the manageress probably wanted her day off and a lie in !

Rob

[Tailormade Gaz B]

quote name='SallieJane' timestamp='1341443277' post='1770251']

I would really like to know if there is an appetite for a rare/underplayed/progressive weekender in the UK.

Yes.

re appetite, its not so much a question of hunger for rare/underplayed sounds as that is a progressive arm of the scene which has been pioneered for decades (and I saw the discussions on funk-edged stuff etc which is an example of it and is more related to a discussion on quality/personal taste) and people do want rare/underplayed/progressive.

More appropriately, it is about peoples desire/hunger to try something which might be unconventional. The music at Manchester was all of the above. Each DJ played an outstanding selection of rare/underplayed records and the progressive element was in the structure (double decking), choice of DJ's (finding a good new DJ is like finding a great under played record and its about giving people a chance - Henning Boogaloo this year, Matt Fox last year and Leona / Adam Topping from the UK). Equally, the mixture of attendees, all of whom themselves could be considered progressively minded because they took a punt and invested time/energy/money into something different/new, and the feedback was great either for the weekend or the day visitors.

Its more about how people choose to consume it or maybe a case of who is providing it, rather than issues for demand etc

[Guest gordon russell]

I really miss the Lifeline weekenders at The Old Bull.

I thought they were great and I wish they'd restart them.

These days apart from SOul Essence, the ones in the South West, and a cameo appearance at Cleethorpes,I don't really do weekenders (but would do a rare one as long as the music is good quality rare).

Am not interested in just going for three days of alcahol, bad kebabs, line dancing, bad hangovers and a sing along to Top 500 60s and 70s or so called "underplayed / unknowns" that have been played and known for the last 15 years+.

So the answer from me is if the DJs are right, then yes.

Steve they're called overplayed underplayed tunes :lol:

[Guest gordon russell]

So far opinion is pretty divided. But do the hard core niter people that attend the likes of Burnley, Lifeline, TOD, 100 Club etc want a weekender? Unfortunately I never made it to your weekender Chalky so don't know how successful it was, although given Lifeline's rep I'm sure it was pretty impressive to say the least.

If there is demand for such an event. What would be the ideal venue? Does it matter? And where should it be located? How far are people willing to travel?

Not sure they do sally......funny thing is we stopped going to cleethorpes 1 tired format 2 and this'll answer you....hardly any nighter folk (that we know anyway) in attendence now ain,t that a strange one

[Rob Wigley]

Steve they're called overplayed underplayed tunes

So does that mean they have now become popular and should stop being played ?

A good example of this was when my dear friend Chris Anderton was doing Bretby country club many many moons ago, he even used to apologise for being "young" (didn't you Chris ) Anyway sounds he "Championed" included Jimmy Soul Clark "I'll be your champion" which spread from the club to become popular UK wide, so thus wasn't exclusive or cheap any more-- this made it then overplayed and as brilliant as it is/was no longer fitted the bill !

So if all the "underplayed" become popular and became the "new" Top 500 would the "old" Top 500 and be underplayed oldies ?

Good records will always rise to the top and other sink without a trace....

Rob

[Rob Wigley]

Oh on the subject of the rare weekender

What format would this take to make it enjoyable to to lesser masses (500) as previously discussed ?

Friday Night --all night or 3-4 am finish ?

Saturday chin stroking afternoons and record fair / swap meet ?

Saturday night all- nighter with an act 8 pm to 8.00 am ?

Do you pack up at 8.oo am Sunday ?

Would you sell a "saturday night" special ticket ?

Rob

[Cunnie]

Oh on the subject of the rare weekender

What format would this take to make it enjoyable to to lesser masses (500) as previously discussed ?

Friday Night --all night or 3-4 am finish ?

Saturday chin stroking afternoons and record fair / swap meet ?

Saturday night all- nighter with an act 8 pm to 8.00 am ?

Do you pack up at 8.oo am Sunday ?

Would you sell a "saturday night" special ticket ?

Rob

What you got up your sleeve Wigwam?

Is it what I think or something else

[Jumpinjoan]

Oh on the subject of the rare weekender

What format would this take to make it enjoyable to to lesser masses (500) as previously discussed ?

Friday Night --all night or 3-4 am finish ?

Saturday chin stroking afternoons and record fair / swap meet ?

Saturday night all- nighter with an act 8 pm to 8.00 am ?

Do you pack up at 8.oo am Sunday ?

Would you sell a "saturday night" special ticket ?

Rob

Sounds good.

Not sure a live act is essential but I love live acts so no complaint here either way. Would an informal lunchtime / afternoon session on the Sunday work? (I'm assuming it won't be a bank holiday) and Saturday only tickets are a good idea

[Rob Wigley]

Sounds good.

Not sure a live act is essential but I love live acts so no complaint here either way. Would an informal lunchtime / afternoon session on the Sunday work? (I'm assuming it won't be a bank holiday) and Saturday only tickets are a good idea

Hi Joan

Thanks for your input

It can be done but has to be special or very different - its if the demand is there and if its financially "do able" without loosing a fortune !

On a smaller scale costs would rise but I still believe in live acts making it very special and a DJ roster which is away from the same old same old !

Rob

[Tailormade Gaz B]

Sounds good.

Not sure a live act is essential but I love live acts so no complaint here either way. Would an informal lunchtime / afternoon session on the Sunday work? (I'm assuming it won't be a bank holiday) and Saturday only tickets are a good idea

Hi Joan

Thanks for your input

It can be done but has to be special or very different - its if the demand is there and if its financially "do able" without loosing a fortune !

On a smaller scale costs would rise but I still believe in live acts making it very special and a DJ roster which is away from the same old same old !

Rob

It almost has the same structure as Manchester...or very possible a future Manchester . We did a casual day affair and a meeting point for all weekender goers to catch up with fiends from all over UK/europe and listen to the amazing Greatstone guys, then a nighter, then a normal dayer/night event followed by the magical monday - but the whole thing was prob a bit too long in my opinion. DJ roster was defo not the same old, same old though but then you run the risk of not getting a mighty footfall.

[cloth ears]

I really miss the Lifeline weekenders at The Old Bull.

I thought they were great and I wish they'd restart them.

These days apart from SOul Essence, the ones in the South West, and a cameo appearance at Cleethorpes,I don't really do weekenders (but would do a rare one as long as the music is good quality rare).

Am not interested in just going for three days of alcahol, bad kebabs, line dancing, bad hangovers and a sing along to Top 500 60s and 70s or so called "underplayed / unknowns" that have been played and known for the last 15 years+.

So the answer from me is if the DJs are right, then yes.

Then look no further! southport weekender rare room has some of the best djs in the country ,check out the djs and see if their the ones you want to hear!!!

the oldies room also has some of the most popular djs and quite a few who will play beyond the top 500 !!!

[Rob Wigley]

It almost has the same structure as Manchester...or very possible a future Manchester . We did a casual day affair and a meeting point for all weekender goers to catch up with fiends from all over UK/europe and listen to the amazing Greatstone guys, then a nighter, then a normal dayer/night event followed by the magical monday - but the whole thing was prob a bit too long in my opinion. DJ roster was defo not the same old, same old though but then you run the risk of not getting a mighty footfall.

Good post, lots to consider the big weekenders (including my co promoted events with Rob & Pat) cater for the mid ground as its the only way to make it pay-- we have the other rooms which are subsidized by the main event only way it can be done but it provided variety for the weekend and adds to the party , yes party because that's what a weekender is, . be it rare, common, modern or otherwise. also Birds of a feather flock together, I honestly think that the right venue, with options to suit all pockets, a cracking line up with Dj s that can do it and have the records to fill a dance floor would work, plus chuck in a great live act with the right records to sing.

I also know it has to be different ..........

lots reading the thread but not too many commenting so is it doable ? or are we just hopeful thinkers behind keyboards ?

Rob

[cloth ears]

Better post "On Topic", I think there is a demand for this type of event, but I'd limit it to 2 nights, make it central and with easy Motorway/ rail links.

Dave Moores Spanish event "Hitsville" ticks all the boxes, wish it was in UK with that weather as well ! LOL.

I'd also be inclined to chuck an act in as well

Can we throw in here what peoples ideal DJ line up would be or nominate 1 "Must have" DJ ?

Rob

PS mine would be Honky

i have asked him , hes busy this year bui next year might possible!

[Steve G]

Then look no further! southport weekender rare room has some of the best djs in the country ,check out the djs and see if their the ones you want to hear!!!

the oldies room also has some of the most popular djs and quite a few who will play beyond the top 500 !!!

Hi Dave,

Another weekender to add to the list on this thread apparantly with 'the right ingredients' formula then. There appear to be quite a few reading through...

Maybe I am not being clear enough, but it's not a rare room I want to go to, it's somewhere with fresh and exciting music.....something different, not recycled lesser knowns, or rare for the sake of it stuff. If some of it's rare great, but I wouldn't want to hear the same old rare tunes bunged out.

ATB

Steve

Edited July 10, 2012 by Steve G

[Rob Wigley]

i have asked him , hes busy this year but next year might possible!

He's a great DJ Dave everything he played at Yogi's was spot on I had to get up and look at the 4th record he played (not knowing the previous 3 either) all uncovered, all brilliant , all looked as rare as F**k ! I was the lead for the chin strokers ! he's great guy as well.

However you answered part of my question as well Pontin's rely on the oldies room for footfall to subsidize the rare room, it's not an exclusive Rare weekender , so would it satisfy the call on here for exclusivity ?? I'm coming if honky's on !

Rob

[Rob Wigley]

Maybe I am not being clear enough, but it's not a rare room I want to go to, it's somewhere with fresh and exciting music.....something different, not recycled lesser knowns, or rare for the sake of it stuff. If some of it's rare great, but I wouldn't want to hear the same old rare tunes bunged out.

ATB

Steve

You , me and Honky in my front room then Steve, cheaper than hiring a venue--"Bespoke Weekenders" !

[Guest sharmo 1]

hI all the problem you've got with "specialist" weekends is boundary's that make a place too small or too big an oldies weekend no matter who organises or runs it and no matter who's "on " will do well .As soon as specialist descriptive words like rare soul or modern pop up in go the shrinking soul violets , and that's the way it is at the moment plan's are a foot for another weekender next year you'll probably not see many flyers for it there may be something on here but it'll be low key , about 150 R-n-B fans , a little latin , a little ska/reggae and other oddments.It'll probably be in the west country (well it will be ) weekend tickets are about £100.00 all in and most are spoken for it's on a small site out the way from the world and the ticket includes everything most oldies type "weekenderers" won't pay it but would you pay this for a nice out of the way place food and accomadation all in , swimming pools and long secluded beaches. No Bootleg's, no "Ilove northern soul" mug's , no cheap t shirts just a hundred and fifty like minded people doing their thing for £100.00 it's a bagan friday night session , sat daytime sat night and a sunday .This is not a opertunist advert as the people we've spoken to have just about taken the tickets , I put this on here to show that a rare soul weekend is defernatly possible just find the place and away you go.Stay chilled out you crazy people Simon And Paula.

[Rob Wigley]

hI all the problem you've got with "specialist" weekends is boundary's that make a place too small or too big an oldies weekend no matter who organises or runs it and no matter who's "on " will do well .As soon as specialist descriptive words like rare soul or modern pop up in go the shrinking soul violets , and that's the way it is at the moment plan's are a foot for another weekender next year you'll probably not see many flyers for it there may be something on here but it'll be low key , about 150 R-n-B fans , a little latin , a little ska/reggae and other oddments.It'll probably be in the west country (well it will be ) weekend tickets are about £100.00 all in and most are spoken for it's on a small site out the way from the world and the ticket includes everything most oldies type "weekenderers" won't pay it but would you pay this for a nice out of the way place food and accomadation all in , swimming pools and long secluded beaches. No Bootleg's, no "Ilove northern soul" mug's , no cheap t shirts just a hundred and fifty like minded people doing their thing for £100.00 it's a bagan friday night session , sat daytime sat night and a sunday .This is not a opertunist advert as the people we've spoken to have just about taken the tickets , I put this on here to show that a rare soul weekend is defernatly possible just find the place and away you go.Stay chilled out you crazy people Simon And Paula.

Good luck you, sounds great...a little like Yarmouth..out of the way...and hush hush until all regulars have booked their yearly places.

Almost like Rob & Sams "almost grown" ?

At the end of the day we go to enjoy ourselves There's all sorts of things in the mix, however there has to be some common ground which attracts a "decent" crowd, a mid way point, not so far underground that you need miners lamps to see the decks....

£100 would seem like a fair statrting point for a decent weekend away. Enjoy yourself its later than you think......

Rob

[Guest Soultown andy]

So what this thread proves is that it will be very difficult to run and sustain a rare soul weekender,and any that are put together will probably attract less than 150 people.The rare underplayed fresh new what ever you want to call it side of the scene, is notouriously divided and under supported.Lots of small groups who support only certain djs who fit their criteria for rare soul,and only attend that venue.It will be virtualy impossible to bring all these small groups together to support one rare soul venue.Week in week out on ss the rare soul events struggle for attendance despite all the costant talk from people on here about,wanting to hear anything but the top 500.The way i see it is this side of the scene has a lot of talkers,and not many who are actualy willing to go out and support the venues they keep asking for.

[Steve G]

Some fair points there Andy, it's become very factionalised for sure.

It's funny because on the funky thread, funky people keep posting up records I can't even be bothered to pull off the shelf at home, let alone get in the car and go out to hear. Different strokes etc.

Edited July 10, 2012 by Steve G

[Guest sharmo 1]

Hi Andy probably best to have a dedicated rare soul room at established weekenders then and let folk bob into one and bob in tuther then folk get the best of all worlds regards Simon.

[Daz]

.

Edited July 10, 2012 by Daz

[Guest colin brown]

Have now stopped going to Weekenders period(went last time to Yarmouth).Too much money and fed-up with overpriced crap Food and Accomodation etc.I now prefer to go to smaller Venues(Soul Nights)where I can hear the Music I want to hear-instead of hearing a Record played umpteen times in one night.

[Guest smoothwasson]

Lifeline is still looking for a suitable venue to hold a weekender. I too miss then and I don't n anything has replaced it in this country.

How successful was Manchester? Heard mixed reports regarding attendances?

it was good apart from the venues so far apart..

[Pete S]

Some fair points there Andy, it's become very factionalised for sure.

It's funny because on the funky thread, funky people keep posting up records I can't even be bothered to pull off the shelf at home, let alone get in the car and go out to hear. Different strokes etc.

But they keep telling me they're the best thing since sliced bread and slagging me off for not agreeing with them

[Rob Wigley]

So what this thread proves is that it will be very difficult to run and sustain a rare soul weekender,and any that are put together will probably attract less than 150 people.The rare underplayed fresh new what ever you want to call it side of the scene, is notouriously divided and under supported.Lots of small groups who support only certain djs who fit their criteria for rare soul,and only attend that venue.It will be virtualy impossible to bring all these small groups together to support one rare soul venue.Week in week out on ss the rare soul events struggle for attendance despite all the costant talk from people on here about,wanting to hear anything but the top 500.The way i see it is this side of the scene has a lot of talkers,and not many who are actualy willing to go out and support the venues they keep asking for.

Very very true Andy, I asked a question deliberately in one of my earlier posts and named a name as a DJ I'd choose ie Honky (which dave followed up)-- but no one has really named any others they'd chose or even after 3 pages added a "To die for" list.

I think you post unfortunately sums up major divisions and to some degree a feeling that some would sooner stay at home and collect their vinyl than venture out.

So answers on a postcard please or to answer the original question on this thread "Is there a demand for a dedicate rare soul weekender" it's looking at the moment like a "NO" !

Rob

[Steve G]

But they keep telling me they're the best thing since sliced bread and slagging me off for not agreeing with them

I know, thing is I think there are some great funky edged records, but these guys have to dig a lot deeper than they are. I mean pulling up these old multiple stockers and soul packers. Exactly the same with a lot of these self proclaimed R&U champs. I guess when you've been around a long time, and we have, it's easy to be critical, and when you haven't been round a long time, it's all probably relatively new and exiciting.

Edited July 10, 2012 by Steve G

[Chalky]

Without the likes of Butch and Andy Dyson then it ain't no rare soul weekender. They are the top two rare soul DJ's in this country, no one else comes close in this country. It also wants someone involved who understands the rare soul scene, not someone putting on a side show at a weekender aimed largely at mainstream soulies.

It ain't a rare soul weekender if it is stuck in a side room.

[Roger Williams]

I guess when you've been around a long time, and we have, it's easy to be critical, and when you haven't been round a long time, it's all probably relatively new and exiciting.

And as long as the old people are around, the northern/rare soul scene can't, and won't, move on, not in any respect because the baggage and often outdated outlook on it all will last longer than their tattoos.

[Steve G]

Very prolific Roger!

[Roger Williams]

Very prolific Roger!

Prolific?

[Pete S]

And as long as the old people are around, the northern/rare soul scene can't, and won't, move on, not in any respect because the baggage and often outdated outlook on it all will last longer than their tattoos.

Roger Williams c/o Rentaquote Ltd.

[Little-stevie]

Indeed... Rob/ Andy..

Sad to say we have too many fractures among the rare soul crowd to bring it all together now.. Promoters of rare soul would have to sit round a table and smoke the peace pipe and bring all on side.. Not sure that is ever gonna happen...

[Roger Williams]

Roger Williams c/o Rentaquote Ltd.

I speak only the truth my good fellow.

[Winnie :-)]

Prolific?

Perhaps Steve meant profound?

[Guest Soultown andy]

Indeed... Rob/ Andy..

Sad to say we have too many fractures among the rare soul crowd to bring it all together now.. Promoters of rare soul would have to sit round a table and smoke the peace pipe and bring all on side.. Not sure that is ever gonna happen...

Well stevie as this thread shows quite a few different opinions bout how and who should run it, dj at it etc.And everyone is right .

[Roger Williams]

Perhaps Steve meant profound?

It was neither.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Hi Andy probably best to have a dedicated rare soul room at established weekenders then and let folk bob into one and bob in tuther then folk get the best of all worlds regards Simon.

Absolutely right. The more environments the better for me as I get bored with just one type of music all the time. Some of the best gigs I've gone to have been when I've wondered into a room playing stuff I've never heard before. Variety is the spice of life as Greg Perry once said..........

Ian D

[Steve G]

Prolific?

As Winnie says "profound". Was trying to rush / juggle between keeping an eye on Soul Source and researching for me book....

Think the challenge the rare northern newies scene has is that it has about 500 serious followers in the UK, some of whom don't get out much, but about 475 of them are also "DJ's". And they cross genres between 60s, funky, 70s, midtempo too. Also there are widely differing levels of knowledge about the music. I lot of what I hear championed in the "unknown" department are known to some of us, but as I said earlier that depends on how long you been around, how much digging you've done, and how much you've actually listened to / collected. Incidentally I never cease to be amazed at how little listening actually goes on at venues.

Best solution is just do what you want to do, and let others do what they want to do. Any other discussion is just bound to encourage disagreement.

But having said that, I would still like to see a re-birth of Lifeline weekenders! To me they encapsulated what it's about, and Ian there was musical variety. Think Sam even played some of his then house faves, although in fairness that wasn't really a Lifeline thing. So please don't assume a newies weekender has to be the same tempo / style.

Edited July 11, 2012 by Steve G

[cloth ears]

My remit for Southport weekender was to get together the best djs on the scene, which i believe i have achieved. I will change most of the line up every year, so that we have "new /different" names every year. They have also been told " no repeats-no excuses" during that session!

We want to involve all aspects and styles, and in the future want the younger djs who are making their own style of scene to feature too,but it will take time!

The first time i went to prestatyn there were 400 + and it gradually built to what it was at the end.

[Rob Wigley]

My remit for Southport weekender was to get together the best djs on the scene, which i believe i have achieved. I will change most of the line up every year, so that we have "new /different" names every year. They have also been told " no repeats-no excuses" during that session!

We want to involve all aspects and styles, and in the future want the younger djs who are making their own style of scene to feature too,but it will take time!

The first time i went to prestatyn there were 400 + and it gradually built to what it was at the end.

Hi Dave

as one of the "Founding fathers" of the Original Prestatyn Weekender along with Rob Thomas, Fish, Mark Fletcher (It was his idea & originally planned for Southport) & John Poole. The original figure for the first weekender was 578 payers, plus we opened the doors Saturday night to "unofficial" £20 guests to see Ray & Tony perform- there were around 900 in that first weekender. Attendance peaked at weekender 6-(3,865) then slowly slipped back to the disastrous number 10, where "guests" out numbered payers nearly 2 to 1... Britannia Hotels figures by the way ..where the event "lost" £90 K Pontins were in receivership and Britannia came in with the axe cutting live acts at the 11th hour in a desperate attempt to salvage the event.

Your proposals for the rare room at Southport are admirable and I am coming if you get Honky, however as with all things "Time marches on" and I fear it is already too late to salvage what's left of a cutting edge scene. Soon the only thing most of us will be doing is cutting edges round the lawns on our bungalows!

So what's the answer ? I still want to go away weekends in nice surroundings and listen to a variety of music, hear something GOOD I don't know, be it 60's 70s 80s 90s 00s or new release. As Ian says a choice...this is what we are doing at Bridlington at the moment.with 5 rooms...however its not an "All-nighter" weekender which obviously doesn't suit everyone. It also seems a fact that the biggest critics / moaners of popular events and the moment are the ones that have never actually set foot in the venues they are criticizing ! Be it Us, GoldSoul, Lifeline, New Century, or who ever.

The scene will never be the same as its always evolving and changing sometimes for the better, sometimes not...as long as people enjoy themselves at the events and have a good time who cares !

Rob

PS over the years numerous people have aske me to run events on whatever scale I can honestly say when you do an event as a request it seems that the ones who then don't come are the ones who asked for it in the first place !

Edited July 12, 2012 by Rob Wigley

[Guest Roddy]

Guys this isnt a debate to me its market research !

Too many things going on up and down the country !

If you want to go somewhere then go,if not dont.

CAN WE PUT THIS ONE TO BED PLEASE.

[SallieJane]

I started this debate as I am genuinely interested. Personally I would like to attend a dedicated rare soul weekender as a main event, not just tagged on to an oldies weekender. Was just wondering what others thought.

[Guest Roddy]

Well given that its about 6/7 people contributing to this debate (?) i think you have your answer.

[Rob Wigley]

Well given that its about 6/7 people contributing to this debate (?) i think you have your answer.

Good post Roddy, as above I think we have covered everything but loads reading but no one committing ..... I think I'll call time on my replies got a weekender to organise at Scarborough with a rare room ! Thanks to all who replied & PM 'd me as well.

Rob

[Guest Ed B]

Im sure a few of you will remember ( and I know attended ) a couple of rare soul weekends arranged by John Mills (Bolton) ,Dave Rimmer .John Weston ect.

They were at small hotels in wales , I can honestly say they were possibly the best events I have attended in over 30years.

The DJ line ups 2nd to none , the music was (for a lover of soul rare or otherwise) quality , the crowd had more knowledge than the London taxi fleet.

Having said all that , there was a fun full on party atmosphere with everyone involved, Definately no snobbery , elitism, or trainspotting. Just a hotel full of people who shared a deep passion and love of rare soul and having fun , with a good amount of wind ups and banter between us all.

So in answer to the post . If done without attitude and polatics (as they where) I would say a Massive Yes!!!

[Chalky]

I remember John Mill's weekenders. Llandudno was the venue for one if I remember rightly. Excellent weekenders they were, DJ'ed at a couple.