Just wondering if a certain area, would put people off travelling to a soul night?

Some towns have an "unsavoury" reputation, not always deserved, I might add!

Trying to promote an event can be an uphill struggle at the best of times,

but you hear mutterings sometime, from people saying they would never go to a certain town.

Personally, I think there can be a bit of "snobbery" involved!

Be interesting to know what others think?

Thanks, Sheila

I personally dont think it matters but I do know some soulies who wont go to a certain area because they feel its a rough area. Its individual to each person. hope you do takes Off Derik and Sheila good luck xxx

Hello Sheila,

The only areas that have bad reputations are Scotland, Wales and most parts of England ...basically anything south of the River Tees and anything north of the River Tyne (excluding Sunderland and Hartlepool of course).

All other areas are okay as far as I know.

Paul

In my experience the local hard men are usually soulies and always attend the soul night so there's rarely any trouble.

I've travelled to listen and dance to soul all over the North West for 30 odd years but, on reflection, I have never been to a soul night in Liverpool. Even when I briefly lived in Birkenhead years ago. Weird really.

it should not matter how rough you think or have been told an area is. you are going to the venue with like minded people,so the people you are with should all be sound, if they are not they should be told by the majority and it is they that should then be wary about attending again

Edited July 21, 201212 yr by mickeyfish58

Never gave it a second thought....

Some of the places i have been over years

Around the uk and beyond....

  On 21/07/2012 at 16:52, little-stevie said:

Never gave it a second thought....

Some of the places i have been over years

Around the uk and beyond....

Same here Stevie, only reason i would`nt travel would be because of the venue & music policy Been the length and bredth of the country for 30 yrs meself :thumbsup:

You can get aggro parking at the shops!

Personally it`s not stopped me going anywhere-either soulin or shopping!

Never bothered me. Walked, thumbed it, travelled on trains and buses - then got a car. Never bothered us and we had a few scrapes. I remember setting off home from Notts Odd Fellows at Leics in my silver, ford capreeeee ghia and some fecker had unscrewed me wheel nuts. Happy Days - mm, was a top all niter car me capri.

Thanks for the comments so far. The reason I am asking is, Dereck was asked to run a classic & Motown (I can hear the groans already!) night by a very enthusiastic club owner, who is into the "oldies".The club is in Salford,Kersal, to be precise.

Tony, the owner, runs a very tight ship, & is well respected in the area. There is also a very secure floodlit carpark.

Anyway, we set out to promote it, putting flyers in like minded venues, soul source etc. even on the radio!

Telling people about the venue,the minute Salford was mentioned,hands went up in the air in some instances!

Oh no! "we cant go there in the car"! Tony was adamant he wanted us to continue running the night, even paying the djs out of

his own pocket on the quieter nights! he even suggested a free admission night, in the hope he would make money on the bar!

Unfortunately, we STILL didnt get coachloads in! The music played is similar (or better in my humble opinion!) to the venues that

advertise the same music policy.

Apart from hiring a plane with a banner, we dont know what else would get folk going there.!

We can only deduce from all this, that it IS the area that is putting people off. which is such a shame, as the regulars that do support us, love the place, & dont want us to stop running it, it would be good to know others opinion?

SHEILA

Dont think its the area as i ran middleton niters for 5 yrs which is a very similar area ,and it was one of the busiest venues in years.It could be that you arent known for running out and out oldies nties,or your choice of djs.I know your jocks have excellent collections,but the oldies only crew are just as clicky as the underplayed somethin different crew.Last night there was an event not that far from yours that was rammed,but it was run by some of the uniform retro crew who as i say can be a bit clicky.Its not goin to be easy to get it off the ground as most of the oldies soul nite are well established in this area,and as i say they tend to stick together.Not trying to offend anyone just an opinion.

Edited July 21, 201212 yr by Soultown andy

How many English born people would have been prepared to attend an event in Belfast until relatively recently? Times change and so do towns and cities...

I'd feel safer ( & more at home) in Salford than Alderley Edge any day of the week .

NS becoming gentrified? Nah, trust me.

Although - on 2nd thoughts - imagine starting a night in a shitehole like Wigan, eh?

Edited July 22, 201212 yr by Droylsdonian

  On 21/07/2012 at 19:39, Soultown andy said:

says

Dont think its the area as i ran middleton niters for 5 yrs which is a very similar area ,and it was one of the busiest venues in years.It could be that you arent known for running out and out oldies nties,or your choice of djs.I know your jocks have excellent collections,but the oldies only crew are just as clicky as the underplayed somethin different crew.Last night there was an event not that far from yours that was rammed,but it was run by some of the uniform retro crew who as i say can be a bit clicky.Its not goin to be easy to get it off the ground as most of the oldies soul nite are well established in this area,and as i say they tend to stick together.Not trying to offend anyone just an opinion.

I guess that post says it all really....

I really believe people are people (good or bad) wherever you go, although some places have particular difficulties or heavy social or economic problems and may seem a bit hostile or less friendly on the surface.

But I'm sure it just takes time to find kindred spirits in all areas, despite any differences we may have.

This doesn't always apply quite so much to the younger generation is some areas, however, because of an increase in gang culture and tribal attitudes which make some areas more difficult for "outsiders".

There are dangers everywhere so we all have to be careful but soul fans usually get along well with each other very quickly.

Having shared interests breaks down the barriers.

Paul

I tend to look at where a venue is, if it's in the town/city centre I'd be more likely to avoid it because of the possibility of late drinkers. When I say late drinkers I'm referring to the kind that just come into a venue because of the late bar, rather than the music. I know some promoters will run quite a strict door policy, so I'd give them a go, if I hadn't been In general though, no area has put me off completely, just because of it's reputation.

  On 21/07/2012 at 19:15, bury masonic said:

Thanks for the comments so far. The reason I am asking is, Dereck was asked to run a classic & Motown (I can hear the groans already!) night by a very enthusiastic club owner, who is into the "oldies".The club is in Salford,Kersal, to be precise.

Tony, the owner, runs a very tight ship, & is well respected in the area. There is also a very secure floodlit carpark.

Anyway, we set out to promote it, putting flyers in like minded venues, soul source etc. even on the radio!

Telling people about the venue,the minute Salford was mentioned,hands went up in the air in some instances!

Oh no! "we cant go there in the car"! Tony was adamant he wanted us to continue running the night, even paying the djs out of

his own pocket on the quieter nights! he even suggested a free admission night, in the hope he would make money on the bar!

Unfortunately, we STILL didnt get coachloads in! The music played is similar (or better in my humble opinion!) to the venues that

advertise the same music policy.

Apart from hiring a plane with a banner, we dont know what else would get folk going there.!

We can only deduce from all this, that it IS the area that is putting people off. which is such a shame, as the regulars that do support us, love the place, & dont want us to stop running it, it would be good to know others opinion?

SHEILA

You're right, the venue is really good :-)

I was born on Salford Precinct and grew up in Lower Broughton. I thought I knew every single street, but never knew that was there!

I asked me mam if she knew it as well, but she didn't - and that surprised me!

Mention on the flyers that it's 100 yards away from the Racecourse hotel! you can't make it plainer than that where it is.

Good luck with it mate, ktf

  On 21/07/2012 at 19:39, Soultown andy said:

Dont think its the area as i ran middleton niters for 5 yrs which is a very similar area ,and it was one of the busiest venues in years.It could be that you arent known for running out and out oldies nties,or your choice of djs.I know your jocks have excellent collections,but the oldies only crew are just as clicky as the underplayed somethin different crew.Last night there was an event not that far from yours that was rammed,but it was run by some of the uniform retro crew who as i say can be a bit clicky.Its not goin to be easy to get it off the ground as most of the oldies soul nite are well established in this area,and as i say they tend to stick together.Not trying to offend anyone just an opinion.

Yes, I do tend to agree with you Andy, to a certain extent, the oldies scene can be clicky, & it doesnt help when they disregard other similar events( ie ours!) & put theirs on the same night!

We dont play 90mph "stompers", just a good mix! as for your point about DJS, we had Nige Brown & Carms on a while ago,

(they love the place), although they were not on the flyers, & we STILL didnt get "rammed"! you wont get much better djs, so

in the words of the late great Marvin,"Whats going on"!

We will have to decide if we want to "Keep on keeping on" or "Its over"!

Like you say, you will never change the mindset of some people,who are not willing to try different venues in other localities,

not that Im saying ours is superior to any other oldies night!

It could be also that Dereck,Tony & Blunny are known for rather more underplayed sounds!

Ah well,QUE SERA,SERA!

Sheila

Unfortunatly,in some peoples eyes,area does matter.A lot of people have a pre-concieved idea that Salford is rough and that the nasty people will get them......

Being serious I think Andy has hit the nail firmly on the head,

Good Luck with the venue,we will be down when we can.

Steve.

No - travelled far n wide n never gave it much thought. However, down out neck of the woods Portsmouth/Southampton area, you have to be careful when promoting, cos some from either area will not go to t'other, even older folk who should know better, its the old football rivalry...TBH it has never bothered me, not being born n bred in the area, it is a consideration when promoting tho.

Best Russ

  On 22/07/2012 at 14:26, Russ Vickers said:

No - travelled far n wide n never gave it much thought. However, down out neck of the woods Portsmouth/Southampton area, you have to be careful when promoting, cos some from either area will not go to t'other, even older folk who should know better, its the old football rivalry...TBH it has never bothered me, not being born n bred in the area, it is a consideration when promoting tho.

Best Russ

I don't think I'd fancy a Soul night where you are currently based Russ

  On 22/07/2012 at 10:46, bury masonic said:

about DJS, we had Nige Brown & Carms on a while ago,

(they love the place), although they were not on the flyers, & we STILL didnt get "rammed"! you wont get much better djs,

Sheila

Thats exactly my point nige and carms are top class djs,but you wouldnt expect to see them at many of the regular oldies nites in wigan bolton etc.These nites are pretty much a closed shop and tend to trade spots if you get what i mean,and arent to bothered about ovo etc.Before anyone gets on there high horse its not all the oldies nites in these areas,as there are plenty of good oldies nites with good djs and promoters.Im just pointing out why it might be hard to get it off the ground in my opinion,but the best of luck with it .

  On 21/07/2012 at 11:52, Paul Mooney said:

Hello Sheila,

The only areas that have bad reputations are Scotland, Wales and most parts of England ...basically anything south of the River Tees and anything north of the River Tyne (excluding Sunderland and Hartlepool of course).

All other areas are okay as far as I know.

Paul

Where in Scotland have you had trouble, some of the best nights in the UK are up here.

  On 22/07/2012 at 15:38, 21 again said:

Where in Scotland have you had trouble, some of the best nights in the UK are up here.

Hello

It was a joke, I basically said every part of the UK has bad reputations apart from my area.

Scotland is fine, always very friendly, almost as nice as the north east.

Unless you live locally, most people wouldnt know that a certian part of a city is worse than another.

Blackburn used to give me the creeps walking from mthe car park to the venue, with the local drunks milling about. But I couldnt tell you whether it was a good or bad part of the town, or even if there are any good parts in Balckburn

In Gloucester there were all nighters run at the Jamaican Club, which was down a road that had a bad rep. And they seemed to be really well attended.

I was talking to Dereck about this today - shame its not busy because it deserves to be. I've been a few times and, it should be said, first time i arrived I was amazed by the venue: it is first class and very safe (and safe for a ginger kid means it must be decent).

What should be noted is that most people who have commented positivity, though I could be wrong, are not local-enough. You need a good support locally, and I think where we live (Salford/Manchester) people just do their own things as Soultown Andy rightly said - one example is an oldies night I used to DJ at every month. It pulled in healthy crowd, but they went to the same 4 venues every month like clockwork - no deviation. They were like like a huge gang with others just popping into to this specific venue as their only outing of the month. So i guess that is what you are up against.

Stick with it though, I'll be at the next one

  On 21/07/2012 at 11:52, Paul Mooney said:

Hello Sheila,

The only areas that have bad reputations are Scotland, Wales and most parts of England ...basically anything south of the River Tees and anything north of the River Tyne (excluding Sunderland and Hartlepool of course).

All other areas are okay as far as I know.

Paul

Derbyshire is fine as well.

If I get too paranoid I don't go out and sometimes I get paranoid if i stay in but on a non soul point I spent many a night in Glasgow in a truck and found glaswesians to be the warmest , freindliest and most genourous people I've ever met , still wouldn't fook about with them though baring in mind the reputation that Glasgow has/had .I don't think I'd attend a soul night in Kingston Jamaica or anywhere in say Afghanistan or Iran.Saudi Arabia has a problem with drug's so wouldn't fancy fifty lashes and a gay gang rape either.I'd say most areas of the U.K. are fine so long as you keep out the back alley's and don't light your cigar with a fiver you should be fine regards Alan Wicker.

Avoid the Holloway Road I'd say unless someone can confirm it's been re-gentrified.

One of the reasons (only one mind!) that The Rocket allnighters stuttered attendance wise was that on the first night about 20 people got their cars done. All these out of town soul heads parked up in the bus lane, and lo and behold a few hours later, broken windows, radios gone etc etc. Not nice. Luckily I parked round the back

I used to Co-Promote Soul Nights in East London(some years ago)and People from other parts of London would not come-because of its` Reputation.We are talking Kray Twins in the 60s,for Christ Sake.Travellers from outside London had no problem,may I add.I have been to some Areas,where Relatives have said do not go,but I had a blinding Night.Just keep your Eyes open-no matter where.

I don't see any problem with where the club is situated Sheila , i have seen ten times more dodgy areas .. I will just say you had to be there when we had our Casablanca moment out East lol a few years back

I hope you keep with it , maybe open up the play to be anything and everything soulful might be an idea ? its a fab club , one of the best i have seen in Manchester to be honest , perhaps inviting more Manchester jocks to play might also help?

You know we will always attend if not committed elsewhere its great to have a do five minutes away It reminded me of grumpy souls venue very much .

Remember me and Mark Bicknell djin at a venue in Moston for a guy a few years back, again low attendance, music was top notch, but when you mentioned it to people the area certainly did put them off, the venue was brilliant and the people very friendly, proper Mancs! So never had a problem with travelling to a soul venue anywhere, remember Station Rd being dodgy most saturday nites on the way to the Casino lol

If your first experience of Northern soul was Blazes in Stockport and none of your mates would go because of its reputation and location then you have paid your dues and can handle anywhere