Distant memory

[Stephen Houghton]

Hi I'm just thinking when all this covid segregation is gone ,what was your soul venue memory .mine is walking to through the car park after getting dropped off by the taxi ,and hearing the distant hum of a tune getting louder as you walk in the place .then the walking in paying and finding a seat or a nice corner then the mates you haven't seen for at least a weekend or so .what's your memory your missing 

[Len]

I'm missing taking for granted that I could go to a do every weekend more than once if I so wished - I'm even missing moaning about there being too many events on.

Who'd have thought this would happen?

I miss chatting outside an event 

Len 

[Algsoul]

cig and a chin wag outside

 

[Winsford Soul]

Missing the whole experience.  From the anticipation of getting ready  travel to friend's houses or they to mine . The journey talking about anything and everything,  parking up especially in strange towns for the first time or places that you have been 20 times. Doesnt really matter. Greeting fellow carpark lurkers, then finally getting to the venue,  getting in well that depends on who's outside to say hello to first.  Walking through the doors   more hello,s, .I've even  been known to make it into the main room  on occasions  

[Fish Fingers]

For various reasons I had only just started back on Soul nights in 2019 after well over a decade away. 

With a new Mrs in tow, I needed to see if she liked it. She hadn't been to a Soul do before and after 10+ years of me playing my music non stop..... she had got to know a lot of it, but had never ever been to a Soul night. 

For me it was like putting on an old pair of slippers. Something I had been doing for decades, but had lapsed.....and rediscovered. 

I just can't wait to carry on introducing the Mrs to a fantastic thing that was all too familiar to me, but unknown to her. 

It's interesting looking at it through a fresh pair of eyes. Stuff we all take for granted (friendliness / love of the music etc) is a revelation to someone who was only used to mainstream clubs - where it was all people getting pi55ed and starting fights etc. 

I actually think we are all incredibly fortunate to be part of the soul scene in the UK. Its no wonder everyone is missing it so much and desperate to get back. 

 

[Martyn Pitt]

8 hours ago, Winsford Soul said:

Missing the whole experience.  From the anticipation of getting ready  travel to friend's houses or they to mine . The journey talking about anything and everything,  parking up especially in strange towns for the first time or places that you have been 20 times. Doesnt really matter. Greeting fellow carpark lurkers, then finally getting to the venue,  getting in well that depends on who's outside to say hello to first.  Walking through the doors   more hello,s, .I've even  been known to make it into the main room  on occasions  

Very true Steve ... hard to believe, but I have even seen you on a dance floor ... once 

[Leicester Boy]

Missing that feeling of being in your own little world when you hit the floor to something you love. Missing friends just missing it all. 

[Stephen Houghton]

Nice to see I'm not alone with this post ,

[Monny1916]

Missing dancing to tunes I LOVE ,, what northern soul was made for ,, Monny 

[sir cumference]

On 05/12/2020 at 10:22, Stephen Houghton said:

Hi I'm just thinking when all this covid segregation is gone ,what was your soul venue memory .mine is walking to through the car park after getting dropped off by the taxi ,and hearing the distant hum of a tune getting louder as you walk in the place .then the walking in paying and finding a seat or a nice corner then the mates you haven't seen for at least a weekend or so .what's your memory your missing 

Looking for a seat?

Never in this wide world!

To each his own.

[Girdwoodinc]

talking complete bollocks at weekenders and nighters with friends

[Stephen Houghton]

Coming out in the morning and getting on the wrong train to the opposite end of the country, priceless 

[Fiftyboiledeggs]

Dancing in synchronicity with strangers who become friends.

Edited December 22, 2020 by fiftyboiledeggs

[Stephen Houghton]

Wont be long now ,so get them shoes polished 

[Soulacola]

i really did take for granted i could dip in and out of soul nights when i felt like it. often pulling out of a long drive to stay in with a takeaway and a can. i really regret now not supporting more local nights and making more effort to travel to some of the great venues on the soul scene. ive learned a lesson here, its a short life and then youre gone. im going to make sure i pass on the night in and get busy dancing before the hour glass runs out. i miss the simple joy of dancing in a sweaty room to old vinyl played loud and proud. you really dont know how lucky you are to be able to do this til its taken away. 

Cant work with masks and table service so i dont think personally this will happen in 2021 but im looking to get sweaty again in 2022.

[Timillustrator]

On 05/12/2020 at 20:13, Len said:

I'm even missing moaning about there being too many events on.

Who'd have thought this would happen?

 

What's the betting that as soon as things fully return to normal there'll be 10 times as many clashes!  That first weekend - 400 events.

[Len]

10 hours ago, Timillustrator said:

What's the betting that as soon as things fully return to normal there'll be 10 times as many clashes!  That first weekend - 400 events.

Hi Tim,

I hope you're doing ok, and your business is surviving.

I had this conversation with a mate just yesteday - I said, I was thinking that because this lock-down has been so long, maybe people won't be bothered about coming out to play again.  Whereas he said it will be the complete opposite (as you have allured to) Adding that the only thing that may well effect it, is the amount of venues that manage to stay open (Availability)

Watch this space I guess.

Len 

[Leicester Boy]

Open and they will come.

[Timillustrator]

Hi Len,

All good thanks and hanging in there (just) but I really do think the end is in sight. Hope you're all OK. 

I think you are both right - some people will give up altogether either because they've just changed their mind, moved away, retired or are just wary of going out again. Others will have had a good rest and re-emerge with new enthusiasm and there will be some new faces who've 'discovered' soul through lockdown, livestreams, Facebook etc. I think the only thing that is certain is that there will not be the same old people at venues there were before (or the same venues   )

The same is probably true of business, I know a few people (my accountant for one) who've just decided now is a good time to pack it in and retire, others haven't survived financially but equally a lot will have been made redundant and will be setting up on their own for the first time. 

 

 

Edited February 14, 2021 by Timillustrator

[Petesi]

Memories ? Well quit a few but from the1970`s I would say Friday nights at the Casino and Tiffs Newcastle on Sunday`s,  and in my more recent escapades the Kings H allnighter`s and probably The Grosvenor rooms.

In a strange way its gonna a bit like a re-wind back to the 1970`s for me as in... a weekend escape from the troubles of every day life and work! Only now  being in my sixty`s and not my teens the escape is from covid lock down. So can`t wait to get back to finding a spot on the dance floor, lost in my own little world with not a care in the world  just reveling in the sights, sounds, atmosphere and venue ..wherever that may be. 

BUT remember just how lucky we will be when that finally comes around ..as sadly quite a few won`t have been so lucky, both punter`s and DJ`s.

Keep safe, fit and well.

Edited February 14, 2021 by Petesi
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[Soulacola]

im not going to let a flu bug change my lifestyle completely but i wonder how nervous i might get on a packed sweaty dance floor. thinking about the sweat dripping from the ceiling in Eggborough it would be Butlins for a virus. i guess with a jab ive got to just get lost in the music. the thought of a sanitised , dettol flavoured version of the same style of night is a horror im even more scared of . i thought the smoking ban reduced the feel of the "lager,cigs and soul' i loved. still it could be much worse. Health and safety  might make laptops mandatory in DJ booths siting the sharp edges on vinyl as a risk.

[Timillustrator]

So what's the betting that 200 odd events will now all be scheduled for the weekend of the 25th/26th June!?

[Leicester Boy]

1 minute ago, Timillustrator said:

So what's the betting that 200 odd events will now all be scheduled for the weekend of the 25th/26th June!?

Hope so. Attend what takes your fancy and ignore the others. Seriously dont understand the too many events argument, the good will survive the crap will wither and fade away. But anyway be happy to attend anything.

[Timillustrator]

16 minutes ago, Leicester Boy said:

Hope so. Attend what takes your fancy and ignore the others. Seriously dont understand the too many events argument, the good will survive the crap will wither and fade away. But anyway be happy to attend anything.

True enough, a bit of "natural wastage" wouldn't be a bad thing. The main problem round my way would be when there were up to half a dozen events on the same night within 20 miles, you have to pick one but when you got there it was half empty; don't think that'll happen now, not for a few months anyway. 

[Leicester Boy]

9 hours ago, Timillustrator said:

True enough, a bit of "natural wastage" wouldn't be a bad thing. The main problem round my way would be when there were up to half a dozen events on the same night within 20 miles, you have to pick one but when you got there it was half empty; don't think that'll happen now, not for a few months anyway. 

That is true but i firmly believe that most regular attendees at events be it nighters dayers or weekender, very quickly know if said event is for them. The age of technology gives you every chance to gage what the event has to offer. I do plenty of weekenders and know a newquay will be completely different playlist wise to somewhere like the tower at Blackpool.  Both appeal to many including me but are chalk and cheese. Anyway role on freedom day.

[Soulacola]

There's definitely too many choices which often leads to not making one. quality does suffer. on the scooter rallies at the prospect of 1000's of riders coming to a seaside town used to get the publicans shutting up shop or begrudgingly serving us. the evening do's and club do's had vinyl dj's with a high standard of soul. when the landlords got on board because of the money angle they employed every cd and laptop dj in town. this had the effect of reducing the thrill of getting to the evening event as you'd been subjected to wall to wall two tone and 'sign of the snake' for several hours. the end result was less people in the evening do and so the organisers put dj's on who played "a bit of everything" to cover all bases. usually the same soul classics you get in Tesco compilations. 

  you need to support the quality do's to keep good Dj's buying records and playing their hearts out. certainly when we get a chance to dance again i will be supporting quality events  and hoping that their are less choices on the calendar and more passion than ever for those that remain.

[Bossfourpart1]

I guess there’ll be a plethora of gigs resurface once restrictions have been lifted.

Just hoping the good ones will still be there .

Personally a passionate DJ /DJs behind the decks makes a huge difference to the event.

An 8hour event only requires > 200 x 7 inch records , so make them quality tunes!!!

Can’t wait to go to the first gig, as i am sure that while approaching the entrance and hearing the background buzz of the tunes , it will put a smile on my face and perk my ears to listen closer .

“Like a soul candle to a Soul Moth” 

 

[Winsford Soul]

On 22/02/2021 at 19:36, Timillustrator said:

So what's the betting that 200 odd events will now all be scheduled for the weekend of the 25th/26th June!?

Already happening Tim  with clashing, especially nighters. But you get slagged off on here for mentioning it on another thread by people who have never been involved with promoting venues so haven't got a clue what they're talking about.  

Edited March 5, 2021 by Winsford Soul

[Ben Owen]

Parking the car and walking up the high street in Whitchurch to the Civic Centre and hearing the intro to the drifter echoing out into the street. 

Edited March 4, 2021 by Ben Owen

[Soulandy]

Nothing wrong with the virtual world that has become thd norm but just looking forward to a soul night/nighter to get back in the real world.  A chat, a drink, a dance, listening to the sounds in a club, wether it be my local soul night 100yards from my front door or a drive down the motorway to a niter. A real night with real people and music

[Kathryn Magson]

On 05/12/2020 at 10:22, Stephen Houghton said:

Hi I'm just thinking when all this covid segregation is gone ,what was your soul venue memory .mine is walking to through the car park after getting dropped off by the taxi ,and hearing the distant hum of a tune getting louder as you walk in the place .then the walking in paying and finding a seat or a nice corner then the mates you haven't seen for at least a weekend or so .what's your memory your missing 

I'm really missing all the social side of the soul scene - some friends live miles away & I don't see them very often - others I see at every event I go to - I'm just missing everybody! I can't wait to see all the people that I've not clapped eyes on for what feels like forever..........I can play music at home, but it's the cameraderie & the buzz of seeing a full dance floor that I miss most. Roll on June.......

 

[Timillustrator]

6 hours ago, Kathryn Magson said:

I'm really missing all the social side of the soul scene - some friends live miles away & I don't see them very often - others I see at every event I go to - I'm just missing everybody! I can't wait to see all the people that I've not clapped eyes on for what feels like forever..........I can play music at home, but it's the cameraderie & the buzz of seeing a full dance floor that I miss most. Roll on June.......

 

Hopefully, I am a bit dubious still. People are already putting on events for the 25th June but although the headline is "All legal limits on social contact will be removed" and "Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen" it's still No earlier than and if you read the small print there could still be limits in terms of mask wearing and temperature checks etc. I hope that's not the case but some people are talking like it's all over already.

 

[Mike]

two posts dropped

this topic is about soul events

if people want to discuss uk government policy then they need to get to the current affairs forum

 

 

 

 

[Girdwoodinc]

12 hours ago, Timillustrator said:

Hopefully, I am a bit dubious still. People are already putting on events for the 25th June but although the headline is "All legal limits on social contact will be removed" and "Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen" it's still No earlier than and if you read the small print there could still be limits in terms of mask wearing and temperature checks etc. I hope that's not the case but some people are talking like it's all over already.

 

Couldn’t agree more Tim, realistically I don’t think anything will be on until at least the end of the year. All I’m hoping for is getting to see family and friends but most of getting out of these “four walls” and possibly a weekend or week away outside of my postcode 

[Woodbutcher]

Makes me laugh all this talk of getting back out to soul nites and niters in order to catch up with all their long-lost buddies ...

Half the crowd at most events get themselves hunkered down at a table and spend the night ignoring all and sundry because they're staring down engrossed with their bloody smart phones ...

A nice new policy would see drinks , talc and phones handed in at the door before entry is allowed ... 

Personally I shall not contemplate mixing it up anywhere until I've had both jabs ( first booked for Monday coming ) and seen a significant increase in common sense being employed ... so that'll be a bit of a wait yet I think.

[Kathryn Magson]

17 hours ago, Timillustrator said:

Hopefully, I am a bit dubious still. People are already putting on events for the 25th June but although the headline is "All legal limits on social contact will be removed" and "Nightclubs will be allowed to reopen" it's still No earlier than and if you read the small print there could still be limits in terms of mask wearing and temperature checks etc. I hope that's not the case but some people are talking like it's all over already.

 

I think most promoters are fully aware that things could change & it's quite possible that we won't be allowed to put on events in June after all - but you have to look on the bright side. If no events are at all are planned then people would all be very disappointed if it turns out that the vaccines have worked like a dream & everything is hunky-dory. I reckon there will still be some sort of restrictions in place when things open up again - probably a cap on numbers/ masks/hand sanitizer et al.  I for one certainly wouldn't want to be in a crowded room with no restrictions in place even if the government allows it. 

After the last 12 months we all need something to look forward to, so if events are planned & all goes well that's great, but if they have to be cancelled - even at the last minute - then so be it. My motto has always been hope for the best but also be prepared for the worst! 

[Soulacola]

we're hoping to go to a scooter rally on 25th of June in Kent. there's supposed to be a soul room on the campsite but it may be swapped to open air stage. This could possibly be my first chance to dance since march 2020!!! not sure how my legs will cope, i might look like a spinning top without a giroscope. but if the bands and dj's are outside then there's at least the chance of it happening. not heard any news of soul events in Sheffield yet, thats going to be a bit later in year id guess.