Too Many Venues

[Guest gordon russell]

Soul Funk-Tion is well worth a visit.

Great club.....and they don,t suffer from  dj,s who only go to dj     and are never seen again   top

[Winsford Soul]

There been to many venues for at least fifteen years it's not a new thing. It's just that there's now all the technology at people's fingertips to promote a venue without going out of your front door and having to flyer everywhere like in the not to distant past.

Steve

[Guest Aaron Darcy]

Never going to happen, and we have discussed it to death on many occasions. 

 

The nub of it is this, back in the day there were a handful of Dj's and hundreds of people who just wanted to dance. Now there are hundreds of Dj's and just a handful of people who can dance.

 

That is all.

Back in the day the handful of dj's had the records and we had to follow them where they was djing to hear the records, any dj's playing boots or reissues would be sacked on the spot. Now a days 95% of local do's are promoted by handbagers have their friends djing  playing  boots and reissues to handbag crowd.

There appears to be lot more boots and reissues available now for the handbag crowds ' hence hundreds  local do's spring up every week.

Edited September 18, 2014 by Aaron Darcy

[Steve G]

Many of us don't care how many venues there are, we only go to the ones we choose, when we can. I don't want a scene dominated by big names like the 70s - it's much more fun being a "levelish" playing field....although obvioously the backscratching and "mates gigs roundabout" is still working overtime.  

[Md Records]

If I made my mind to go to somewhere like "Lifeline" and the organisers of that event (heavens forbid) decided to  "do the honourable thing" and cancel, as there were too many venues on that night, it doesn't necessarily follow that I'd go elsewhere. The local pub or the telly would probably win out. I've often phoned mates up and they're not going out as nothing appeals to them that weekend. I find that the onset of old age, family demands,  apathy, the cost of petrol, the change in work patterns, not wanting to feel like shit on Monday morning are as much a "danger" to the scene than the number of venues, DJ's, reissues etc

 

Des

[Guest soulie75]

do you think if a promoter has more than one venue ,there in it for the money not the music

[Little-stevie]

do you think if a promoter has more than one venue ,there in it for the money not the music

Yes they are, thats what promoters do.. Promotions...

 

As to the topic title... Indeed toooooooooooooo many but its been said a thousand times..... Every man and his dog wants to be a promoter/ dj   , who is to tell them no?? not you or me... We just have to get on with doing what we do and try and talk with other promoters and avoid a clash were possible for like minded folk......

 

Some promoters are beyond reason and any kind of morality but thats the way of the world.......

Edited September 18, 2014 by little-stevie

[Chalky]

If I made my mind to go to somewhere like "Lifeline" and the organisers of that event (heavens forbid) decided to  "do the honourable thing" and cancel, as there were too many venues on that night, it doesn't necessarily follow that I'd go elsewhere. The local pub or the telly would probably win out. I've often phoned mates up and they're not going out as nothing appeals to them that weekend. I find that the onset of old age, family demands,  apathy, the cost of petrol, the change in work patterns, not wanting to feel like shit on Monday morning are as much a "danger" to the scene than the number of venues, DJ's, reissues etc

 

Des

 

I work around 60 plus hours per week, often away from home 2, 3 or 4 nights.  That and the fact I spend all week driving means I can't be bothered to drive at the weekends especially for a all-nighter where the music is no better than what is on offer within 30 minutes of hime.  Like you Des,  I neither wish to feel like crap until Tuesday either, some seem to think because they have been up all-night and that they are better than others. 

[KevH]

You can perhaps,if you have the energy or enthusiasm,got to 2/3 venues on one night.Good luck to you.What the other 70 odd are doing is really of no consequence.We all have say,10 venues we look out for.The rest shouldn't be a concern.Musically go where the music takes you.Easy.

Enjoy.

[soulperson]

If bootlegs and re-issues didn't exist there would be the right amount of venues and DJ's

i so agree

[Steve G]

I work around 60 plus hours per week, often away from home 2, 3 or 4 nights.  That and the fact I spend all week driving means I can't be bothered to drive at the weekends especially for a all-nighter where the music is no better than what is on offer within 30 minutes of hime.  Like you Des,  I neither wish to feel like crap until Tuesday either, some seem to think because they have been up all-night and that they are better than others. 

 

100%  - I have a stressful day job that also means sometimes I want nothing other to do that chill out at weekends on the patio with a glass of wine or watch a movie....eminently preferable to driving about the country every weekend to hear Eddie Parker, Elbie Parker and Milton Parker.

[John Reed]

100%  - I have a stressful day job that also means sometimes I want nothing other to do that chill out at weekends on the patio with a glass of wine or watch a movie....eminently preferable to driving about the country every weekend to hear Eddie Parker, Elbie Parker and Milton Parker.

Are there any Parkers you would travel to hear Steve or do you just hate the surname? 

Edited September 18, 2014 by John Reed

[Hooker1951]

when mods used to ride their scooters around in the 1960's their were 100's of parkas riding around with them 

                                                                                                                        mick L

[Little-stevie]

Round and round this topic goes...         

 

I have said before that much can be solved with certain promoters sitting down together and sorting in at all out..... That will not happen as many of them squabble like children in a playground..

 

Old driftwood needs washing away.....

[Steve L]

   

[Steve S 60]

Too many venues?  Saturday 27th - 4 Weekenders, 3 All Nighters, 1 All Dayer and over 40 Soul Nights advertised in Events.  There's got to be room for a few more.  Did notice that a few events had been cancelled / postponed.  Given this number of events happening on the same night, there's got to be at least 200 DJs spinning the vinyl throughout the country.

[Shsdave]

 

Va va Voom is one of the few London gigs I go to.Last one I heard,Sherlock Holmes Standing At A Standstill...Dean Anderson played it.I havent heard that out in years..a nice oldie and a suprise.There are hundreds of oldies like this.If this film takes off the Northern Soul And Motown night "on vinyl" will be everywhere.

 

Played it in April at Solid Hit .....hmm was going to give a thumbs up or smiley but emoticom not working ;-)

Edited September 18, 2014 by SHSDave

[Frankie M]

I blame the TV,If they brought back Its a Knockout ,half of these venues would be empty / closed , having said that I haven't got a gig

on the 27th , am I doing something wrong ?

[Mark Bicknell]

100%  - I have a stressful day job that also means sometimes I want nothing other to do that chill out at weekends on the patio with a glass of wine or watch a movie....eminently preferable to driving about the country every weekend to hear Eddie Parker, Elbie Parker and Milton Parker.

You missed out Des Parker Steve and the fella off Thunderbirds lol

[Guest in town Mikey]

You missed out Des Parker Steve and the fella off Thunderbirds lol

 

Brains?

 

[Shsdave]

 

They haven't the imagination to mix it up a bit, otherwise we wouldn't keep getting these topics.

 

Big wallets, the "ability" to read others playlists = instant dj

[Steve G]

Brains?

 

 

 

You missed out Des Parker Steve and the fella off Thunderbirds lol

 

I quite like Des and also Parker, Lady Penelope's chaufeur....

[Len]

I don’t know if there are too many venues at present. ‘Northern Soul’ is now on every street corner, some people still go out every weekend, whereas others choose not to, and this depends on individuals personal circumstances.

 

Although fighting this for as long as I could (or as long as Nina ‘held the fort’ for me!) having young children, and also a very busy job (at long last btw) I personally can’t do many All-nighters. It also keeps me from travelling like I used to (and rightly so)

 

It may not be the Soul Scene I once knew and loved, but all these nights keep going so they must pull enough people to be viable (surely)

 

All the best,

 

Len  

Edited September 18, 2014 by LEN

[Mark Bicknell]

I quite like Des and also Parker, Lady Penelope's chaufeur....

Yus Me Lady lol

[Shsdave]

 

Brains?

 

 

Brains Parker ? Is that a cover up ?

[Mark Bicknell]

I think given time things will level out the strong will survive and move it forward as ever, as Len says it's all very high profile at the moment and anyone who has rubbed shoulder with the scene seems to be enjoying a second wind, one thing to remember the music is king and little else really matters.

[Guest in town Mikey]

I quite like Des and also Parker, Lady Penelope's chaufeur....

 

I like a bottle of thunderbird.

[Steve G]

I like a bottle of thunderbird.

 

God that is awful.....liver rot.....I didn't know it was still legal alcahol....

[Winsford Soul]

Are there any Parkers you would travel to hear Steve or do you just hate the surname? 

Steve . Des Parker is worth listening to    

What's wrong with Elbie Parker. Class record

 

Steve

[Amsterdam Russ]

I know this as already been said BUT 77 venues this weekend including allnighters and weekenders come on people get real this is killing the scene...

 

Does no one appreciate the great irony in that? 

 

If it were a case of only seven events on in a month, that'd be killing the scene, but nearly 80 in a week??? Really sounds like the scene is dying, doesn't it?     

[Mellorful]

I blame the TV,If they brought back Its a Knockout ,half of these venues would be empty / closed , having said that I haven't got a gig

on the 27th , am I doing something wrong ?

That's cos Stuart Hall is spending time at her Majesty's and Eddie Wearing is pushing up daisies. Not many people I know want to be spending time with either of them.

I'm also not behind the decks on 27th but hope I will be on the floor stretching the legs; I find dancing is better than spinning vinyl but need a DJ to play the right party tunes otherwise I'm stood waiting for a tune to tempt me onto the floor.  

[Frankie M]

That's cos Stuart Hall is spending time at her Majesty's and Eddie Wearing is pushing up daisies. Not many people I know want to be spending time with either of them.

I'm also not behind the decks on 27th but hope I will be on the floor stretching the legs; I find dancing is better than spinning vinyl but need a DJ to play the right party tunes otherwise I'm stood waiting for a tune to tempt me onto the floor.  

Most of our crowd hope they don't play a tune that will tempt me on to the floor

[Steve G]

Steve . Des Parker is worth listening to    

What's wrong with Elbie Parker. Class record

 

Steve

 

Nothing is wrong with any of 'em. Got 'em, don't need to travel the country to hear 'em....every week....

[Louise]

I pass a local pub on my way home every evening "The Black Horse" that is continually advertising on every Friday from 8pm to 12am Karaoke with DJ Kevin whatever, then ! wait for it from 12am to 2am Northern Soul and Motown.

You can just imagine the saddo's he's gonna atract !

Dave

[Kjw]

I bet the Karaoke crowd are gutted - bang goes their credibility

[Louise]

I bet the Karaoke crowd are gutted - bang goes their credibility

 In the words of Gloria Gaynor "I/They Will Survive"

Dave

[Millo]

Can we move a few to Edinburgh? I don't think we have enough here.

Ditto Norfolk.

[Len]

I have yet to witness a club voluntarily closing in order that another may benefit from higher numbers............

 

……and you never will……But, if someone that I respected actually took me to one side and suggested I stopped promoting because he thought me doing so was somehow having a detrimental effect on things, I can honestly say I would at the very least take a good look at what I was doing. I doubt that would ever happen even if they thought that, because the people I respect have other stuff in their lives - In any case, the people I refer to have always encouraged me (which is important)

 

It was suggested in an earlier post that some promoters that have done so for many years should for some reason stop doing so. I think the opposite - promoters like that have the advantage of years of experience, and have always tried to work together for the sake of the bigger picture.

 

My view has ‘chilled’ over this issue now, all I can say is good luck to whoever can be bothered with the hassle of promoting an event - it is a thankless task.

 

All the best,

 

Len

[Wiganer1]

well the feedback from most venues yesterday were excellent...

[Jem Britttin]

Not this again.

There's no way the amount of events can be regulated or minimalised.

An event will survive on the simple understanding that if people go it'll survive, if they dont it wont.

The idea of others events closing down to accommodate a certain promoters ego is rediculous, and why should they shut down to benefit another event.

Maybe the case of promoters being at the helm of multiple events in one area, with the same pals guesting for each other continuously ( week in week out) over a four week period is a part of the problem? If the same people promote the same based events every available weekend, that'll dilute it way more than random people putting an event on.

Also surely people who just cant let it go when they have promoted and it hasnt worked, just move to another venue and try to flog that dead horse again and again and again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  But ponitificicate and bemoan "theres too many do's on" when they're misguided egotistical definition of "what it should be" doesnt work again.

NO-one has the right to dictate who can and cannot put an event on wether its monthly, yearly or anywhere in between, good luck to them I say. sink or swim the people will let you know either way.

All sounds a bit egotistical to me Kev   some people eh 

[barney]

well the feedback from most venues yesterday were excellent...

well they would be wont they , because the maxim if you cant say anything nice say nowt rules ok , and woe betide anyone who names and shames or critisices any thing ,.

Edited September 21, 2014 by barney

[Hornet]

Looking through events it seems as though every time the TA niter is on bids niter is on , 2 all nighters 3 mile between them !!! Different music policies 4 A different audience !!!  promoting issues !!! A shuttle bus between the 2 would B nice 

[Sooty]

Deja vous.........20 years on!!!!!!!!x

 

I've read the thread....and as someone pointed out...IT has 'flooded' the market without the 'foot souling' 'we' used to do! BUT....it don;t mean diddley squat....here's why!x

 

The scene had been going for 25+ years in the way we know Northern nights when I went to my first gig....Keele Xmas 1992. I knew nobody and nowt about the scene. So...I went walking.....! Everything I have read in this thread....was being said back in '93. Too many gigs...not enuff variety....'cliques' everywhere and unhappy DJ''s spinning the same rare tunes. Another thing that was said was that 'opportunity' for new blood/DJ's....wasn't there....closed shop. 

I discovered that because of market forces....many venues had sprung up 'independent' of 'the scene'....and were having 'raves'....! Kings Lynn...Boston....Grimsby....Wellingborough....Rushden....Kettering....Peterborough.....Naaarwich.....Souffend......all venues I visited in '93 run by enthusiastic 'kids' in the main....who nobody cared about really....apart from their 'in crowd of say 50-150 'regulars' who never travelled to other gigs really! Oops...when I found Shifty sheltering in a bunker at Southend....his crowd averaged about 20....until my minibus arrived with 17 each time to boost his attendance....true!!x That is what I found out after trekking for a year to about 30 different venues....Soul Nights and Nighters mainly in East Anglia but taking in Keele...Blackburn and 100 Club in the beginning. I said it before....I found a gap in the market....and filled it. Could do the same today........wiv a cuppa in hand and not leave me seat....easy life....pah!x

 

I approached 8 of these young upstarts and said....would you like to DJ at an A/Nighter.....most hadn't...including Shifty! Of course they did. I took the responsibility to organise the venue....we shared the responsibility of marketing.....and hey ho....sell out our first 3 gigs at The Maltings...WITHOUT THE NEED TO PROMOTE 'externally' anywhere.....!.....and burst it's doors for us to then re-launch St Ives mid 90's....without 1 'name'....on the bill! Indeed I was probably the most 'known' name on the bill as I was the only 1 DJing 'Nationally' at the time with Blackburn....Winsford...Stockport....100 Club all regular places I was at!

New kids on the block.....job done! We then 'marched' up t'norf and took our excitement wherever we went! It led to Ian Levine...Chris King and many other 'old school' to return to the scene.....by their own admission! The 'surge'...was simply that.....a concerted organised combining of talent...enthusiasm....and innocence......we all danced too which helped!x

 

The 'Togetherness' all-nighters from '94-99 where a 'PARTY'...simple as. A place for folk to chill...no ego's....pretence or I have this tune bo**ox. Pure 'soulfulness' among all. I knew nowt else...and weren't looking for owt else!x Job done....and that happening was the fuel that ignited the resurgence of the scene which Kev Roberts and Richard took advantage of when we finished by kicking off 'Togetherness' at Kings Hall and down my way the residual has become a steady presence at St Ives ever since.....which was there to do for all! If Kev/Richard hadn't have harnessed that energy.....who else would have? Respect...X

It can be done today......especially when there are so many venues to go 'select' from!!!!x All it needs...is a respected co-ordinator/workhorse. I volunteered after having a wonderful experience Xmas 1992...thanx Neil!x Some of you see overkill...I see opportunity. If I trawled the scene for the next 6 months....visited say 30/40 venues.....find a proper place to Party.....invite 10 'Clubs'...for 10 hour spots.....gel it together as we did.....and Bob's ure Aunt.

I'd revamped the Federation of Master Builders and how they 'networked' along with a few other 'National' firms prior to arriving on the scene......it was obvious to me on the way forward!x Same jobby today.......I reckon!x

 

@@
~
LUV
SOOTY
X

 

EDIT....due to a PM...here's the stats.....and 'solution'....!

theee '9Clubs' Soul Club which promoted A Little Togetherness' at The Maltings and then at St Ives consisted of up to 30 Soul Clubs eventually that featured at our gigs. The only requirement I had for them to be included on a rota basis was that they were 'hacking it out there....like us.....attending functions and doing their bit. An established Soul Night/Club was required and yes.....that they danced.....!!!!! I was innocent.....but how could anyone DJ who didn;'t dance to their own genre of music....I thought! Also...'creamers' didn't get to cream our functions either....the kind that turned up wiv a bunch of mates late....did their spot and left or stayed 'Husky Joe Lifeguarding it' in the corner....BARRRRRED.....simple as.

These policy's ran throughout our gigs and at my Soul Nights too! It kept the 'cool dudes' away....init....and I believe was succesful because the punters.....were like us.......!x As said....A Little Togetherness...for the little folk. Proud of that!x

@@
~

 

 

Edited September 29, 2014 by SOOTY

[spot]

It's the Magic Roundabout question on SS, it just keeps turning & every so often someone gives it a push. The hype will have vanished in a while & some newbies will cling on & most will fall by the way side when it's not flavour of the month anymore. As for ovo I see it everywhere most omit to say ovo boots or reissues, I noticed the returnees got a mention, well some of us had mortgages etc to pay & most (not all) of the late 80's stuff was utter crap, fit better with "Deliverance" or hillbilly music, so no incentive to return earlier, anyway back on topic, there are venues out there worthy of note,it's just that they're swamped by the Oldies venues, seek & ye shall find.

[Coops]

wait 'til this film comes out, there'll be 77 venues in each town all full of people thinking they're 'doing northern soul'!!!!!

[Guest Matt Male]

How does that song go again? "There's nothing like a weekend full of northern soul..."

[Quinvy]

well they would be wont they , because the maxim if you cant say anything nice say nowt rules ok , and woe betide anyone who names and shames or critisices any thing ,.

 

At last a kindred spirit. 

[Citizen P]

I work around 60 plus hours per week, often away from home 2, 3 or 4 nights.  That and the fact I spend all week driving means I can't be bothered to drive at the weekends especially for a all-nighter where the music is no better than what is on offer within 30 minutes of hime.  Like you Des,  I neither wish to feel like crap until Tuesday either, some seem to think because they have been up all-night and that they are better than others. 

This year I have had to work nearly every weekend, when I get the odd one off I look at the hundreds on offer. and mostly... can't be arsed

[Guest gordon russell]

100%  - I have a stressful day job that also means sometimes I want nothing other to do that chill out at weekends on the patio with a glass of wine or watch a movie....eminently preferable to driving about the country every weekend to hear Eddie Parker, Elbie Parker and Milton Parker.

and J.T.Parker?

[Guest gordon russell]

wait 'til this film comes out, there'll be 77 venues in each town all full of people thinking they're 'doing northern soul'!!!!!

there already is