The Conclusion - Wilton's Soulful Sessions

[Boxy]

Wilton’s Soulful Sessions - Richard Caiton Concert

 

 The event was fantastic – Richard performed 14 songs and an encore backed by our band PUSH, Yes! our band, these guys love the Wilton events and have always done a fantastic job of making their arrangements sound just like the original recording. They love the music our artists created and all the music that’s played by the DJ’s on the night. We have been so lucky to have these guys involved with all our artists; we must thank the band, especially band leader Ernie McKone, not forgetting our celebrity keyboard player Mike Talbot and all the other members.

We would like to thank all of you, the fans, for attending and supporting us over the last five years of the Wilton’s Soulful Sessions events. We have had some great artists perform for us, some that have never performed a full concert in front of a UK soul crowd before.  

We kept the Wilton as a soulful “specialist” event (you know what I mean); the music is not Northern Soul oldies and sadly, today, it’s hard to survive with an event based on this policy.  The attendance of 230 at our last night made a very good night for Richard, but was very much down on previous ones, mainly due to the amount of events now on the soul calendar, many on the same night, targeting the same crowd that normally attend the Wilton events.

We had our date confirmed in February this year and the artist confirmed in March. Looking at the soul events calendars at that time, we were clear of any major clashes, but through the year that changed and affected our ticket sales dramatically. The result was that ticket sales were short of the financial breakeven point, losing nearly £2,500. We never wanted to make a profit, just get close to breaking even, unlike many other promoters.

At this point we would like to thank Mick and Mo, Martyn and Lynn for their collection skills and all your donations on the night, which resulted in £522 being presented to Val in a Champagne Bucket. Your donations helped us out but we still lost a lot of money, and as a result we have decided to end the live acts at the Wilton.

It just too expensive to risk when the initial support isn’t there anymore. To agree a performance fee with an artist, pay for his flights and sometimes additional flights for a partner, hotel and meal costs, the fees for the band and their hotel and meals, the fees for the PA guys, artist’s work permit, venue hire and whole lot more, is a lot of money.

I know our regular supporters will be disappointed but we can’t continue. We had lots of plans for other artists including Chuck Bernard, Patti Hamilton (Lovelites) to name just two, but without support from the fans this now won’t happen. It’s very strange to me that these artists’ records can fill a dance floor, but can’t fill a venue when they are brought to the UK (Yorkshire) for a live concert!!! In a lot of cases it is more about who is going, or a reunion of a past venue, or a charity event -  not about the artist who recorded the music we all love.

Richard had an experience at the Wilton that he will never forget; he performed songs that he had never performed live before since he recorded them some 40/50 years ago. You gave him something very special, you showed him how much his music is appreciated by UK soul fans. He left the UK on Monday a very happy man – Thank you.

We would like to thank all the people who have helped us stage our events, The dj’s – Soul Sam; Arthur Fenn; Mike Charlton; Mouse. The girls on the door - Kath and quite a few others.  Stewart and Steve for help in setting up the room. Mr MC – Tim Brown, and everyone who helped with ticket sales and promotion. We would also like to thank the Wilton (Greywood Hall) Managers – Grant & Gilly and their staff, who have always accommodated us with every request we have made.

It’s hard to keep the faith.

David and Val

[Lfcjunkie]

Well I'm sure I speak for many to say we've had some great times at the live act venues would be an understatement..never will I understand soul fans that don't like live acts!!..what a venue for getting as close as you can get to hearing the artist actually sounding like the records with one of the best bands around and also where the artist/es actually hung around to chat sign autographs/records and the band too would mingle at the bar  chatting and listening to the records...we'll not get another like it if you ask me...gutted especially now we ain't gonna see Patti!....

Dave L

[Gilly]

Really feel for you two Dave and Val, your right its all about baggy trousers with buttons oldies and revivals. The guys that run them are raking it in, fed by a load of clowns attending them, playing the same 6 records they know and want to know, they will disappear as quick as they have  landed. Hope the true music fans don't loose faith especially you two. Remember this, when one of those clowns says to you "Keep the Faith" tell him to fcuk off explaining that you and a small crowd of real soul fans have been keeping the faith for donkeys years Gilly

[Guest]

Too many venues, huge problem. So sad to hear the support wasn't there for you..

[Kptownie]

Sorry to hear this. I travelled up from Sussex, it was a memorable event. The venue nice dancefloor, DJ's and Mr Richard Caiton,  a true performance. We thought the attendance was disappointing, specially for you  and all the hard work done.Too many nites? I don't know quality usually stands out. The DJ lineup I have not seen Arthur or Mike DJ and Sam since way back when, but following playlists perhaps expected selections were chosen. However brilliant to hear The Differences never heard played out one of my favourite tunes ever . Thanks again for a great night. Keep the faith. K.

[Chalky]

I've had some brilliant nights at The Wilton, heard some fantastic music, many you don't get the chance to hear on your usual nights out.  I've seen some fantastic acts, all quality, in one of the best venues around.  You should be able to fill the venue with people who live with in a 30 minute radius. Still Richard Caiton had a great turnout who gave him the respect he deserves and showed just how appreciated he is by some this side of the pond. 

I'd like to thank Dave and Val, also Mouse for his 20 odd year involvement too in the venue, for some brilliant nights out and some great shows.  Such a shame they will be no more.

Some photos of Richard.....

https://flic.kr/s/aHskPpixz5

[Lfcjunkie]

You're right Chalky.... John Briton should also be commended a stalwart of the Wilton ...

Dave L

[Harrythedog]

Absolutely gutted. From the early days at the Carlton club, Wilton All nighters and then The soulful sessions, these nights have been a big part of my life. Always supported by similar minded people who are fed up with the same old same old. The Wilton will always hold happy memories for me. They should have been fighting at the door to get in for Richard Caiton, the problem is that 95% of todays so called soul fans don't even know who he is. If Boxy had announced that Jackie Wilson was on they would have been cueing around the block, they are that clueless. Lets hope that we can have an annual reunion at the Wilton. So to all of you who have put in all the hard work to make these nights happen, a big thank you from us all.