Has Coronavirus sounded the death bells for NS live scen

[Hooker1951]

Could this virus cause the end of the live NS scene as we know it, And how can we help to save it, the clock is ticking, and the Night time economy will never return as it was before the writing was on the wall 5 years ago this virus has put the icing on the cake faster than was thought, Ideas anybody, ?

KR

ML

[Simon T]

On radio 5live last week, Colin Murray, was talking to people about the live music venues and their current dilemma.  Jeff Horton said that if there wasn't some money forthcoming, like for theaters etc, then the 100 Club would be closed by the end of the year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000l84l

38 minutes in

Edited August 11, 2020 by Simon T

[Winsford Soul]

2 hours ago, Hooker1951 said:

Could this virus cause the end of the live NS scene as we know it, And how can we help to save it, the clock is ticking, and the Night time economy will never return as it was before the writing was on the wall 5 years ago this virus has put the icing on the cake faster than was thought, Ideas anybody, ?

KR

ML

Mick. Trust your well and safe. I personally think that venue's will be open before Christmas.  If that's not going to happen then I can see the scene going underground and going the way the illegal rave scene did in the 80,s . I would definitely be up for that. But I can just see all the head shaking going on with all the people who have deemed themselves above all the illegal stuff. 

[Kenb]

I'd be glad to see less 'at the pub events' advertised, so maybe some fine tuning is no bad thing.

[Lucky One]

All of this could come about the longer the current situation goes on. I remember reading recently an article about football and how people could easily get out of the habit of going to matches and just watching it on TV. I thought at the time the same could apply to the soul scene I hope that's not the way it will go, couldn't give a toss about football it disappeared up its own backside years ago but the the soul scene is far more important than football .

[Timillustrator]

I was optimistic at first with falling infection and death rates and thought, like many others, that stuff would be back on by the end of the summer. Several promoters still seem to be gambling on that happening, with large events still not cancelled for October and November but given recent events - rise in the infection rate, US second wave and New Zealand re-emergence today I have changed my mind and think nothing will be on until 2021. 

The Government will shortly have a very stark choice though - continue with restrictions and consign hundreds of thousands of people in the hospitably industry to the dole and businesses to the wall or lift restrictions and risk a US style re-emergence. 

[Petesi]

Death bells for N/S Scene?....I think not.

Personally I think a vaccine will be the answer we all need, as we are all probably going to catch it sooner or later. When and not if we return to the dance floor is just a matter of time be it this year or next.

[Blackpoolsoul]

On 11/08/2020 at 18:58, PeteSi said:

Death bells for N/S Scene?....I think not.

Personally I think a vaccine will be the answer we all need, as we are all probably going to catch it sooner or later. When and not if we return to the dance floor is just a matter of time be it this year or next.

I noticed that Roller Disco venues are allowed to open tomorrow. Northern Soul Roller Disco ?, perhaps some will get there skates on. my wife says "Roll "O" Soul" could be the future

Edited August 14, 2020 by Blackpoolsoul

[Leicester Boy]

On 11/08/2020 at 18:58, PeteSi said:

Death bells for N/S Scene?....I think not.

Personally I think a vaccine will be the answer we all need, as we are all probably going to catch it sooner or later. When and not if we return to the dance floor is just a matter of time be it this year or next.

Agree with everything other than the probably all going to catch it bit, transmission in the community is reckoned to be about 2000 a day give or take a few hundred, thats about 750000 if it continues another year which is highly unlikely,  at that rate it would take 10 years for 7.5 million to get it and thats less than an 1/8 of the population. 

[Petesi]

5 hours ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

I noticed that Roller Disco venues are allowed to open tomorrow. Northern Soul Roller Disco ?, perhaps some will get there skates on. my wife says "Roll "O" Soul" could be the future

Marvellous idea,

I`m missing the Kings H, Grosvenor rooms, Northern line, Stewartby etc  and I`m still fit and pretty good at the dancing lark (but then i should be after almost 50yrs of practice, LoL) Only problem is err,  maybe 62 is a bit old to be learning to roller skate? So ......I may just have to wait for a return to normal service.

C`mon  Boris get that vaccine sorted.. godammit.

Edited August 14, 2020 by PeteSi

[Greedy]

After the joys of getting older and having a period of bad health I can't see me ever going to another all niter unless they come up with a vaccine I've become accustomed to doing other things at the weekend now 

[Zoomsoulblue]

Stop the doom and gloom - I hope to put an event on in Dec as Sept looks like it’s a no go - also booked NYE and I’ve booked 3 dates for 2021 - just calm down see how it goes - not sure what the rush is, sure we’re comping at the bit - but unless you can safely control the punters - think carefully what you’re doing as you’re playing with peoples life’s - be safe 

[Twoshoes]

On 11/08/2020 at 17:34, Lucky One said:

I remember reading recently an article about football and how people could easily get out of the habit of going to matches and just watching it on TV

This is true, well it was for me anyway, I'd had a season ticket for over ten years for my local lower league club, when my brother died I went to one match after, it just wasn't the same, I know the circumstances are different, I thought I would miss it but very quickly found other things to do on Saturdays and Tuesday nights. 

   I think Steve's right if things don't get to something like normal by October the scene could possibly go underground with word of mouth events if a promoter can find a venue willing to take it on. Slightly different requirement regarding the dancefloor so just tuning up in a disused warehouse etc like the rave scene probably wouldn't work for most. then again maybe talc could become essential  .

     As for the hospitality sector and loss of jobs if it continues as is every day some job or industry seems to crop up that in the everyday run of things you don't think of, only yesterday there was a news item about a company that supplies stages for festivals like Reading and Leeds, the warehouse was full ,the owner said at this time of year all this would be empty, there must be tons of jobs under threat that at the moment are under the radar so to speak.

    I think the scene will survive in one form or another, the problem is as we all know we've never been in a situation like this in our lifetime and no one can predict what the future holds, as Zoomsoblue says, lets be positive, it's hard enough as it is without thinking about the possibility no more events.

Only my opinion but the scene may even come back stronger after the break with people who previously shied away from rare and underplayed having listened to podcasts being more open minded and likewise those tired of the same old  finding they have missed some old favourites, to quote Mel and Tim it could well be like "starting all over again gonna be tough but we're gonna make it".

Edited August 26, 2020 by Twoshoes
In haste stated something I didn't really feel.

[Russ Vickers]

I really like the idea of the scene going back underground, through word of mouth, illegal All Nighters....but the reality is, that it will never happen....we're all too old now to risk death or a £10,000 fine, plus confiscation of equipment etc....I do hope that the scene will condense into a smaller, less nostalgia based scene, with less div events & a handful of proper All Nighters attended by folk young & old who are passionate about soul music & hearing a diverse mix of Rare Soul, including new discoveries....if there is to be one good thing that comes out of this nightmare with regards to the Soul Scene, it should be the end of the saturation of events that have no relevance to the original scene, I hope we lose the wannabes, never was's, Walter Mitty promoters n DJ's n punters, who just want to play bootlegs to people who know no better...... 

[Len]

Hi Mick,

Yes, I think it will be the end 'as we know it', but that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

As you say, the clock is ticking, and the longer this goes on the more different it will be because (as has been mentioned in ref to football) some people will get used to their different past times at weekends, and won’t be bothered about coming back out to play.

Lots of on-line events may well continue after this virus is long gone too, thus giving some people enough of a soul outlet.

Not all doom and gloom though - Change can be good 

Len 

[Valiant55]

Northern soul has been around far to long,for a virus to kill it,a bit of patience needed,from us all,me and my soulie friends reckon we will be talcin the dancefloor,new years eve,at our local venue,if it happens,great,if not,THINGS WILL ONLY GET BETTER KTF

[Bbrich]

I hope the enforced break can allow for a return somewhen with events only run by people with the right skills and approach, less but better attended events - I dont just mean big events but capacity at smaller events as well, tv/media forget the scene & lose all interest, no association with mid-seventies fashion, more punters actually dancing rather than standing drinking and chatting........  maybe lose the term northern soul and come up with something new to kickstart the scene and lose some of the above in the process.

 

[Ficklefingers]

As much as I hate to say it, I think - without a vaccine in place.. the 'live' Soul Scene will suffer the same fate as the Dinosaurs - extinction !!

Online events are great.. to a degree, as is any online chat-room availability.. but it isn't the same as attending a venue in person, and all that goes with a good night out - particularly personal interaction with other like-minded Soulie Type Peeps

Sad, but true, methinks

[Chalky]

Things will return to some sort of normal next year, we will either have a vaccine or have to live with it.  We cannot keep businesses closed forever, people have to work despite the risks.  
peoples behaviour will be no different either, you only have to see how people behave now, as if nothing ever happened. 

At the end of the day, the risk to the majority is minimal.  The fit and healthy have it seems largely little to worry about.  The unhealthy, overweight, unfit will have to start and do something about their lifestyles.  Those with underlying issues will have to take what precautions they can but we cannot stay in lockdown forever.  A lot of lives are being wrecked now through unemployment and more likely. 

[Baz Atkinson]

I agree with Karl don’t think we can carry on much longer with so much uncertainty I watched a programme about the homeless last night and Covid and it’s impact ! 
As a country we have not got a endless supply of cash quite the opposite so it may be down to lifestyle choices at the end of the day which ain’t no bad thing ! 
I like Russ;s  scenario but the northern scene will never go back to been underground too many wannabe promoters now with vested interest and too many newcomers thinking the dream is to DJ as opposed to those who embraced the scene back in the day who preferred to collect ! 
For a scene with an average U.K. age of 50 plus Europe perhaps 40s we all need to take a hard look at how it pans out and make sure safety comes first. 

[Chalky]

3 minutes ago, Baz Atkinson said:

I agree with Karl don’t think we can carry on much longer with so much uncertainty I watched a programme about the homeless last night and Covid and it’s impact ! 
As a country we have not got a endless supply of cash quite the opposite so it may be down to lifestyle choices at the end of the day which ain’t no bad thing ! 
I like Russ;s  scenario but the northern scene will never go back to been underground too many wannabe promoters now with vested interest and too many newcomers thinking the dream is to DJ as opposed to those who embraced the scene back in the day who preferred to collect ! 
For a scene with an average U.K. age of 50 plus Europe perhaps 40s we all need to take a hard look at how it pans out and make sure safety comes first. 

The scene will never go back underground with a hard core of dedicated broad minded soulies, quite the opposite.  The scene provides a platform  for the divvies, the ordinary and the idiots, people who would get no acceptance elsewhere getting to be someone just by splashing a bit of cash.

[Wheelsville1]

1 hour ago, Chalky said:

The scene will never go back underground with a hard core of dedicated broad minded soulies, quite the opposite.  The scene provides a platform  for the divvies, the ordinary and the idiots, people who would get no acceptance elsewhere getting to be someone just by splashing a bit of cash.

Totaly agree with you Chalky,the great days of Stafford are long gone.I'm just so glad i was part of that era. Chris. 

[Bossfourpart1]

Socially everything is on a narrow path with Covid restrictions in place and we still have the flu-virus adding further complications to it in the coming Autumn months.  Treat this non soul event period as a time -out to recharge my Nighter batteries.  

Good venues have always been tough to find and this flat no-business  season will thin them out further. I hope that the 100 club will get some help from someone.

Perhaps the scene was getting watered down a bit with so many events happening on the same nights.

I believe there is a strong following of like minded Soulies out there who will bounce back after these dark days have past .They will attend and support the events that appeal to them which will lead to some normality coming back into our lives.

A lot of people will be un-employed following the devastation of the Covid impact on businesses and spending will return very slowly. I have been made redundant and its tough but there are a lot of people who are worse off than i am. 

Keep the Faith

 

  

[Steve G]

14 hours ago, Baz Atkinson said:

I agree with Karl don’t think we can carry on much longer with so much uncertainty I watched a programme about the homeless last night and Covid and it’s impact ! 
As a country we have not got a endless supply of cash quite the opposite so it may be down to lifestyle choices at the end of the day which ain’t no bad thing ! 
I like Russ;s  scenario but the northern scene will never go back to been underground too many wannabe promoters now with vested interest and too many newcomers thinking the dream is to DJ as opposed to those who embraced the scene back in the day who preferred to collect ! 
For a scene with an average U.K. age of 50 plus Europe perhaps 40s we all need to take a hard look at how it pans out and make sure safety comes first. 

I agree with most of that Baz, but would question the average age of UK scene - over 60 now I would have thought.

It's difficult to predict what will happen, but contrary to Russ's wish, it was the rare soul events here in the UK that were thinning out pre Covid, especially some of the Nighters. Back to the age of the attendees again I guess and willingness to travel distances. If the foundations are weak it takes less for the house to fall down. We've said it for years but for that scene to survive there needs to be appeal for a younger generation. Apart from the 100 Club I don't see enough of that to sustain a scene going forward.

I know some are 'chomping at the bit' to get onto a dancefloor, as others have said a lot seem to be finding other ways of enjoying the music (podcasts, these so called "Bedroom DJs"., online alldayers etc.) or just other things to do with their lives, like gardening, bowls and walking ha ha!.

When a form of 'normal' returns, I reckon after an initial 'spurt' that there will be a lot less venues and for much of what survives the quality of music on offer will appeal to the lowest common denominator. 

Sorry, but my glass is only half full now!  

Edited August 26, 2020 by Steve G

[Paul-s]

I'm sure some 'Northern Soul industry' style promoters will be looking at growing the  'Soul in the Sun', 'A Holiday Full of Soul', 'Soul in a Sangria Glass', 'Beach Full of Soul', 'Sandcastle in the Sand' type scenarios....looking to countries where COVID eases of in terms of mobility and rules. 

[Len]

48 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

I'm sure some 'Northern Soul industry' style promoters will be looking at growing the  'Soul in the Sun', 'A Holiday Full of Soul', 'Soul in a Sangria Glass', 'Beach Full of Soul', 'Sandcastle in the Sand' type scenarios....looking to countries where COVID eases of in terms of mobility and rules. 

Well I'll see you at 'Sandy Balls' hotel then Paul - 'Carry On Northern' 

Len 

[Winsford Soul]

1 minute ago, Len said:

Well I'll see you at 'Sandy Balls' hotel then Paul - 'Carry On Northern' 

Len 

I would go with Carry on ,Up the casino.

Look what you have started now

[Hooker1951]

In answer to my initial question I can only say what I would like to happen, Smaller intimate venues with good dance floors, more thought on lighting and atmosphere to enhance the Soul music being played, Venue capacity around 150 so if it was only 75 people attending it would still maintain the Atmosphere,

There has as I know personally no big money being a promoter if I broke even I thought I’d succeeded , Most good promoters do it for the love of the music and the thought of giving people a great experience , that’s why I used to do it anyway, 

I think that this lockdown has been a time for reflection and  if your love of NS comes into this reflection , You might be thinking of all kinds of things to make the return of live Soul events eventful and exciting, 

where ever their is good strong music atmosphere and happiness there will always be another school of thought who cut corners water the music down and end up with a soul night without substance, this is what led to too many very commercial weak Soul events, Standards should always be high in the choice of DJ,s especially how they can put their hour together to keep people interested and happy, to entertain not show off, love what your doing but not at the expense of the customer,

Anyway let’s hope everything comes to near normal ASAP  and we can start moving forward again.

Keep

 Safe and stay Strong

ML

[Baz Atkinson]

2 hours ago, Steve G said:

I agree with most of that Baz, but would question the average age of UK scene - over 60 now I would have thought.

It's difficult to predict what will happen, but contrary to Russ's wish, it was the rare soul events here in the UK that were thinning out pre Covid, especially some of the Nighters. Back to the age of the attendees again I guess and willingness to travel distances. If the foundations are weak it takes less for the house to fall down. We've said it for years but for that scene to survive there needs to be appeal for a younger generation. Apart from the 100 Club I don't see enough of that to sustain a scene going forward.

I know some are 'chomping at the bit' to get onto a dancefloor, as others have said a lot seem to be finding other ways of enjoying the music (podcasts, these so called "Bedroom DJs"., online alldayers etc.) or just other things to do with their lives, like gardening, bowls and walking ha ha!.

When a form of 'normal' returns, I reckon after an initial 'spurt' that there will be a lot less venues and for much of what survives the quality of music on offer will appeal to the lowest common denominator. 

Sorry, but my glass is only half full now!  

Wise words Steve, I am finding the Bedroom DJ thing highly annoying although I did enjoy one or two to start with. 
I am eternally the optimist but having not done a nighter since 2013 can’t say I will miss it either ! 
A second wave and a no deal Brexit might put more nails in the coffin let’s hope some of the younger people do carry it forward always impressed by the likes of young Alex Johnson Jordon Wilson etc so there is slight hope ! 

[Speedlimit]

On 25/08/2020 at 07:10, Russ Vickers said:

I really like the idea of the scene going back underground, through word of mouth, illegal All Nighters....but the reality is, that it will never happen....we're all too old now to risk death or a £10,000 fine, plus confiscation of equipment etc....I do hope that the scene will condense into a smaller, less nostalgia based scene, with less div events & a handful of proper All Nighters attended by folk young & old who are passionate about soul music & hearing a diverse mix of Rare Soul, including new discoveries....if there is to be one good thing that comes out of this nightmare with regards to the Soul Scene, it should be the end of the saturation of events that have no relevance to the original scene, I hope we lose the wannabes, never was's, Walter Mitty promoters n DJ's n punters, who just want to play bootlegs to people who know no better...... 

Totally agree mate the 80,s soul scene was a far healthier place, oldies where on the back burner at most venue's very few div, s wannabees about and new discoveries were accepted by most, ow day's new discoveries are treated with distain by the masses, funny thing is if it wasn't for the soul fans of the 80's there would have been a scene for the wannabees, divs etc to attend now. As for the situation now well we just have to stay safe and bide our time, hopefully the better venue's will prevail till then we will have to dance in our kitchens. Ps great 100club set the other week Russ 

[Andybellwood]

A fair few events happening on the Isle of Wight over Aug BH (mainly at Ryde) , tho with exception of Ventnor Winter Gnds

not on on here but can be found on Isle of Wight Scooter Rally facebook page , plus outside The Volks Tavern , Brighton as the revamped Brighton Mod Weekender organised by New Untouchables . 

Edited August 26, 2020 by Andybellwood

[Monny1916]

On 25/08/2020 at 07:10, Russ Vickers said:

I really like the idea of the scene going back underground, through word of mouth, illegal All Nighters....but the reality is, that it will never happen....we're all too old now to risk death or a £10,000 fine, plus confiscation of equipment etc....I do hope that the scene will condense into a smaller, less nostalgia based scene, with less div events & a handful of proper All Nighters attended by folk young & old who are passionate about soul music & hearing a diverse mix of Rare Soul, including new discoveries....if there is to be one good thing that comes out of this nightmare with regards to the Soul Scene, it should be the end of the saturation of events that have no relevance to the original scene, I hope we lose the wannabes, never was's, Walter Mitty promoters n DJ's n punters, who just want to play bootlegs to people who know no better...... 

You weren't even there at the beginning when it was underground, 

[Kenb]

Folks may have on-ramped at different time points and even have jumped on and off the line, and yes, some stayed on it all the way.

Each will also possibly have a different year/time for their own ‘high’s (mountain of expectation) and low’s (plateau)’,but almost all northern soulies would be able to place themselves on this line at some time or other. Sixty years ago or last month.

The point is...’the death knell’ has been sounded many times, but people always kick-on and find their own 'water line' by which to enjoy the music, the scene's history, their venue, collecting, at so on.

P.S. I obviously spent too much time in I.T. reading Gartner reports

[Kathryn Magson]

23 hours ago, Monny1916 said:

You weren't even there at the beginning when it was underground, 

Not everyone was there at the very beginning Monny, but I was  - it was my life!  1960s Twisted Wheel - a tad in the way of chemical assistance & then a Sunday all-dayer -  I just lived for the weekend - every single weekend. No more niters for me any more though - running my own soul nights now rather than spending all night on the dance floor, but still loving it all & missing it something rotten! Can't wait to see things start up again - but I have to agree - it would be great to see things going back to the underground feel of the smaller, dingy little clubs that I used to go to in the days of my misspent youth. 

[Monny1916]

41 minutes ago, Kathryn Magson said:

Not everyone was there at the very beginning Monny, but I was  - it was my life!  1960s Twisted Wheel - a tad in the way of chemical assistance & then a Sunday all-dayer -  I just lived for the weekend - every single weekend. No more niters for me any more though - running my own soul nights now rather than spending all night on the dance floor, but still loving it all & missing it something rotten! Can't wait to see things start up again - but I have to agree - it would be great to see things going back to the underground feel of the smaller, dingy little clubs that I used to go to in the days of my misspent youth. 

Hi kathryn, I know everyone wasn't there at the beginning, the point i was making was people that never joined the scene until the-late 70s early  80s think they should be the guardians of northern soul and dictate to others what should be, I live in Corby Northamptonshire, I went to The Torch as a 15 year old which in them days it was a 3 hour journey, Bletsoe,Mkt Harboro also as a 15 year old, myself and my wife were until 2 years ago doing a niter weekly, The scene will never go back to being underground, so just enjoy what you have ,,good luck with your soul nights we may even pay a visit God Willing,, Stephen 

[Chalky]

On 26/08/2020 at 17:19, Monny1916 said:

You weren't even there at the beginning when it was underground, 

Russ hasn’t claimed to be has he?  It has been underground at other times though, not just the beginning.  It will never return underground, its gone to far into divvy land, far too commercial. The nighter scene as we know/knew it is diminishing as the years pass and age creeps up on those left.  But it doesn’t stop people getting misty eyed and yearn for what we once had. 

[Monny1916]

Stafford created Divvyland, worst era ever 

[Len]

No it was Walt Disney - Can't wait to go again me  

Len 

[Monny1916]

So am I just hate all this nonsense about elitism,, I just wanna dance 

[Andy Rix]

3 hours ago, Monny1916 said:

Stafford created Divvyland, worst era ever 

What do you mean ? .... are you saying that the Stafford .. 'Top Of The World ... niters were the starting point for where we are now ?... in light of previous comments made

I'm somewhat confused

Andy

Edited August 27, 2020 by Andy Rix

[Simon T]

21 minutes ago, Andy Rix said:

What do you mean ? .... are you saying that the Stafford .. 'Top Of The World ... niters were the starting point for where we are now ?... in light of previous comments made

I'm somewhat confused

Andy

The 'downfall' started when they changed it's name to "Fatty Arbuckles" or as my mate, a local, referred to it as the 'Disco Inferno' ............... burn the mother down

[Andy Rix]

At least it was next door to an Insurance Broker !

A

[Simon T]

2 minutes ago, Andy Rix said:

At least it was next door to an Insurance Broker !

A

I noticed that, funny as f*ck ..... I wonder if Alanis Morissette  ever attended?

Stafford memories:

Going in the 'disco' before with Jo-Anne to bop to  Colonel Abrahams

Billy from Stoke did exist - best gear Terry ever had, but being subjected to 'what's that song, i can get you off my mind ah ar' for 3 plus hours ad nausea on the way home (Little Ron)

Ian Clarke, laughing and saying to me  'look more DJs than punters'

 

 

[Chalky]

8 hours ago, Monny1916 said:

Stafford created Divvyland, worst era ever 

Divvyland? Don’t talk stupid 

[Chalky]

7 hours ago, Andy Rix said:

What do you mean ? .... are you saying that the Stafford .. 'Top Of The World ... niters were the starting point for where we are now ?... in light of previous comments made

I'm somewhat confused

Andy

Makes two of us Andy.  Think you can trace where we are now back to the mid 70s. At least the 80s took it back underground. 

[Ady Croasdell]

13 hours ago, Monny1916 said:

Hi kathryn, I know everyone wasn't there at the beginning, the point i was making was people that never joined the scene until the-late 70s early  80s think they should be the guardians of northern soul and dictate to others what should be, I live in Corby Northamptonshire, I went to The Torch as a 15 year old which in them days it was a 3 hour journey, Bletsoe,Mkt Harboro also as a 15 year old, myself and my wife were until 2 years ago doing a niter weekly, The scene will never go back to being underground, so just enjoy what you have ,,good luck with your soul nights we may even pay a visit God Willing,, Stephen 

So you were too young for Kelmarsh, Burton Latimer etc? Not quite the beginning then

[Andybellwood]

On 26/08/2020 at 14:13, Andybellwood said:

A fair few events happening on the Isle of Wight over Aug BH (mainly at Ryde) , tho with exception of Ventnor Winter Gnds

not on on here but can be found on Isle of Wight Scooter Rally facebook page , plus outside The Volks Tavern , Brighton as the revamped Brighton Mod Weekender organised by New Untouchables . 

A more pesimistic update from iow ...authorities have intervened causing the hotel to cancel 'The Happening' in the gardens of The Ryde Caste . 

[Speedlimit]

3 hours ago, Chalky said:

Makes two of us Andy.  Think you can trace where we are now back to the mid 70s. At least the 80s took it back underground. 

That  makes 3  it started when R. W. Aloud the bloody TV crews into the casino. That caused many true soul fans to leave the scene, so they missed out on Stafford. Unfortunately, some returned to the sideshow now touted as the soul scene. I been on the scene since 74, unfortunately to young to attend torch and wheel, but the scene I joined was totally different to today's new sounds were accepted not scorned upon. As for the virus time will tell, 

[Petesi]

Interesting comments from all in this thread and, as usual... we are all banging are own drum depending on the era you discovered this great "scene".

Me, I discovered it in the early 70`s at the local youth club ,,then truly discovered at the last week`s of the Torch, moving on to the Casino in 74, Tiffs Newcastle ,Yate etc etc. Took a break in the late 70`s missing Stafford and Keele in the 80`s and 90`s and returning in 2000`s to The Kings, Soul Train etc. Yes it was a bit different to what I could recall from my first experiences and yes some of the new stuff played by Mr Curtis et al from the mid 1970`s were now classed as "Oldies", but I just accepted that it wouldn`t all be Wheel, Catcmbe`s and Torch classics, times had moved on.

BUT... the crowd , the music, the dancing and the atmosphere were still there ....I still loved it !

In my opinion If you really are into this great music no matter what comes along you will find a time, a place, and venue to go out to that plays your type of music and find you own space out on the dancefloor and say " C`mon life test me if you wish, but you ain`t pi..ing on my party". Just accept that things will always be changing but there`s room for all on this journey.. oldies, rare, modern and underplayed, just find your niche and make the most of it. Northern has been through many changes but..... it just refuses to curl up and die..... just like the people who support it.

[Kathryn Magson]

5 hours ago, Ady Croasdell said:

So you were too young for Kelmarsh, Burton Latimer etc? Not quite the beginning then

I've been into it all since the age of 15 - 1966 - It became my life for a few years. Burton Latimer would have bit too far for me to go anyway  - Manchester was far enough - took me over 2 hours & 2 bus journeys. The homeward journey on Sunday was always a bit tortuous.....transport links today are so much better. 

.I would love to see it all go back to the atmosphere & underground feel it had back in the day, but sadly those days are long gone now. We all just need to find our own niche & enjoy what we have.

Edited August 28, 2020 by Kathryn Magson