Smooth Fm Luxury Soul Weekender, Blackpool 6-8 Jan 06

[Guest]

I want to hear people's comments on this if they attended. I went last year and it was excellent - the music and the artists, I stayed in the Imperial last year, so could not comment on the accommodation or food. This year I think the artists were not as good, but the atmosphere and music was brilliant. I have never danced so much in my life, legs a bit wobbly still! I had the pleasure of staying on site this time in the Hilton, the accommodation was good, although the rooms are not as big as the Imperial, but eh, when you had danced til you could not dance anymore, you just went up to bed, had a nap and came back down again, without being blown around in the sea breeze going back to you hotel. The food was OK, although a bit monotonous, the drinks - well, where are they going with those prices - two coffees before the restaurant opened in the morning - was £14..00!!

But still I can't wait for next years - I'm booking up next month just to make sure I'm in the Hilton again, but this time, bringing my own drinks!!!

[Soulsmith]

I did post a little warning on the site a couple of weeks ago about drink prices.

Lots of other people have been shocked in the past.

But really good to hear all your other positive comments (Roger will be pleased).

Col.

[Guest stash313]

Well what can I say it's taken me two days to recover and gather my thoughts.

Most possibly the best weekender I've attended yet! Nay it was...

As anyone who knows me will know I was asked to DJ on saturday night just a week before the event and was on a giddy teenage high all weekend.

Unfortunately I missed the talents of Lenny Williams and Adriana Evans but did manage to perform the most enjoyable set I've ever done to a packed out and rocking Lounge.

I took over from Terry Gee at 11.00 pm in the Lounge and for an hour was in heaven in a DJ sense.

Sorry for the self-indulgent tone of my post but being given the chance to perform at such an event was a real pleasure and there's a lot of people to thank for it.

You know who you are.

Other than the wonderful saturday night the weekend was as fantastic as ever, headed back to Wigan saturday morning for the Leed's game wish I hadn't bothered flew back to Blackpool on the M55 and was in the Lounge for 3.45...

Sunday another highlight sat with Mike Stephens and seeing his total dismay at Man U being torn apart by Burton Albion whilst Bigger, Bob Hinsley, Bob Jeffries and Mark Grice did their thing.

Sunday night some very tired, very pissed and very strained voices (in particular John Kane) but still the fantastic party.

Can't wait for next year, a big thankyou in particular to Jayne Malone (your support on saturday was incredible thankyou), Gill & Graham, Jezza, Cubo, John & Tracy, Terry Gee and last but not least Richard Searling.

The best one yet?

Oh and any young single lovely's looking for a room partner next year!

;-)))))

[Guest Netspeaky]

Well what can I say it's taken me two days to recover and gather my thoughts.

Most possibly the best weekender I've attended yet! Nay it was...

As anyone who knows me will know I was asked to DJ on saturday night just a week before the event and was on a giddy teenage high all weekend.

Unfortunately I missed the talents of Lenny Williams and Adriana Evans but did manage to perform the most enjoyable set I've ever done to a packed out and rocking Lounge.

I took over from Terry Gee at 11.00 pm in the Lounge and for an hour was in heaven in a DJ sense.

Sorry for the self-indulgent tone of my post but being given the chance to perform at such an event was a real pleasure and there's a lot of people to thank for it.

You know who you are.

Other than the wonderful saturday night the weekend was as fantastic as ever, headed back to Wigan saturday morning for the Leed's game wish I hadn't bothered flew back to Blackpool on the M55 and was in the Lounge for 3.45...

Sunday another highlight sat with Mike Stephens and seeing his total dismay at Man U being torn apart by Burton Albion whilst Bigger, Bob Hinsley, Bob Jeffries and Mark Grice did their thing.

Sunday night some very tired, very pissed and very strained voices (in particular John Kane) but still the fantastic party.

Can't wait for next year, a big thankyou in particular to Jayne Malone (your support on saturday was incredible thankyou), Gill & Graham, Jezza, Cubo, John & Tracy, Terry Gee and last but not least Richard Searling.

The best one yet?

Oh and any young single lovely's looking for a room partner next year!

;-)))))

Just being speaking to my mate Phil Blacknell, who attended the weekender, he said the music was usual high standard but the numbers were down on last year.

[Guest Dodger]

Hoorayyyyy, three posts in and somebody who didn't go to the event throws in an element of negativity. Excellent!!!

[Winnie :-)]

Hoorayyyyy, three posts in and somebody who didn't go to the event throws in an element of negativity. Excellent!!!

===========

Bit touchy Roger, seem to remember you quoting negative things about a charity (same night as a Stoke nighter) soul night, that you wasn't going to attend, what's the difference?

Winnie:-)

[Guest Netspeaky]

Hoorayyyyy, three posts in and somebody who didn't go to the event throws in an element of negativity. Excellent!!!

Did you read my post I spoke to my mate who went the MUSIC was great but numbers down, it's a statement from SOMEONE who went, hows that negative.

[Guest]

lets be honest it is a comercial opperation designed to make money for smooth fm

[Guest Dodger]

Different scenario Winnie, from vague memory of it, it was before the event and I was only raising a question as to how genuine it was, and I got laid into big time for it - my initial question was proven to be without foundation and I apologised both on and off list to the girl who made the original post, it wasn't a case of me passing on secondhand negative information as so often happens about a lot of events. But I take your point nonetheless.

Pointless me giving an opinion on last weekend as I'm totally biased.

[Guest Dodger]

lets be honest it is a comercial opperation designed to make money for smooth fm

And your point is?

[Guest Netspeaky]

Different scenario Winnie, from vague memory of it, it was before the event and I was only raising a question as to how genuine it was, and I got laid into big time for it - my initial question was proven to be without foundation and I apologised both on and off list to the girl who made the original post, it wasn't a case of me passing on secondhand negative information as so often happens about a lot of events. But I take your point nonetheless.

Pointless me giving an opinion on last weekend as I'm totally biased.

I take it you went, did you think the numbers were down on the previous year/s? I get stick for not going but for me it's too soon after crimbo, last time I went was 3 years back, I enjoyed it then I'm sure I would enjoy now, it's just wrong time of year for myself, maybe also reason why my mate said numbers were down.

[Guest Dodger]

I take it you went, did you think the numbers were down on the previous year/s? I get stick for not going but for me it's too soon after crimbo, last time I went was 3 years back, I enjoyed it then I'm sure I would enjoy now, it's just wrong time of year for myself, maybe also reason why my mate said numbers were down.

Yes I go to the event each time. Numbers-wise I really couldn't tell as I could only be in the one room at once and had no clue how many were in the other rooms and the rooms I was in didn't look any quieter than normal. The only time I noticed anywhere half empty was during the Friday concert when Adriana Evans was on - she was fantastic but simply wasn't singing enough familiar songs to hold the attention of the "I know what I like and like what I know" brigade, and the same with Lenny Williams on Saturday, I heard people talking afterwards who said they got fed up of waiting for him to come on stage, but again that's not detrimental to Lenny Williams, they should have stayed around as he was fantastic. To be honest I can fully understand the various reasons for not attending, it's not going to be everyone's cup of tea what with the time of year, cost, etc. Always a great weekend for me and my wife and this one was probably the most fun we've had at a weekender overall for a long time, which is what it's all about.

Roger

[Guest]

Just being speaking to my mate Phil Blacknell, who attended the weekender, he said the music was usual high standard but the numbers were down on last year.

Hi

I didn't go to Blackpool, but does it matter if the numbers were down if the majority of people who were there all had a great time?

Cheers

Paddy

[Kevin Jones]

Hi

I didn't go to Blackpool, but does it matter if the numbers were down if the majority of people who were there all had a great time?

Cheers

Paddy

[Kevin Jones]

Hi,

We went to the Blackpool Weekender and thoroughly enjoyed it. We stayed at The Hilton and I thought it really was a luxury weekend. Food was really excellent, ok the drinks were pricy but you have to improvise. Thought Lenny Williams was really good. Everybody seemed to be having a great time and the music was really enjoyable. A lot of new tunes for me. All in all, we were well pleased.

Kev

[Guest Dodger]

One of the highlights was Richard Searling doing the last set on Saturday in the lounge, dressed in his pyjamas and complimentary Hilton slippers!! Could have started a new trend in all nighter attire now!!

[Guest]

Dunno, I think the "cravat soul" clubbers (including Mr R. Searling, Mr N. Jones and Mr. J Kane) on the closing Sunday night made it a bit special. I improvised with my scarf but had to take it off because it was too hot.

[Guest]

lets be honest it is a comercial opperation designed to make money for smooth fm

...which even if it were true (if you had any idea of the work that went into this event and the money that is laid out in various ways - over three hundred quid for a cab fare anyone?- that there is no return on...) would still smack of bitterness ignorance and jealously.

[Blake H]

One of the highlights was Richard Searling doing the last set on Saturday in the lounge, dressed in his pyjamas and complimentary Hilton slippers!! Could have started a new trend in all nighter attire now!!

Sorry Rog, Rod Dearlove was wearing slippers at weekenders years ago bit old hat. Seriously first time at Blackpool and loved every minute, even Deans reggae spot. Drinks a tad dear but were never going to get Wetherspoons prices at a Hilton hotel, did see a lot of people carrying water bottles though!!

We will be booking for next year asap (any details?) Great to see you using the F word

FUN sadly missing these days.

And Leeds are still in the cup. (bet Richard was a bit pissed off on sunday night)

Best Blake & Nicky

[Guest]

I'm wiv Dodger, I stayed until the bitter end Saturday night/Sunday morning when Richard was playing his slot. It was good to see some of the band members down then too, having a good time. Got some great pics from the whole weekend.

We have put our names down already for next year, waiting in anticipation of the dates.

By the way, does anyone know if there will be a Birmingham one in May, this was surely missed last year?

[Guest stash313]

That's one of the big things, it's fine to criticise an event and call it a money making exercise for Smooth FM but if these money making exercises by the likes of Smooth, etc weren't under-taken where would we be.

The work that goes into events of this claibre are un-thinkable and yes it makes money for the promoters and company behind it but so what.

Surely the iam of life is to be healthy, happy and to be successful in whatever field you are in Richard's and Smooth is music promotion and so far they're doing a damn good job.

The vent is the best of its kind in the UK and so what if it were missing a few it was still one of most healthy attendances for a weekender in the UK and everyone there had a great time.

Don't knock it till you've tried it!

Roll on next year...