Levanna McClean teaches Northern Soul

[Amsterdam Russ]

Courtesy of BBC News...

Quote

Levanna McClean is known as Northern Soul Girl, with videos of her dancing to old records amassing millions of views on social media.

She's determined to get more young people listening and learning the basic steps to the music.

Click for video:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-bristol-59429742

 

 

 

 

Edited November 28, 2021 by Amsterdam Russ

[Jez Jones]

7 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Courtesy of BBC News...

Click for video:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-bristol-59429742

 

 

 

 

Hope she's successful

[Mssoulie]

7 hours ago, Amsterdam Russ said:

Courtesy of BBC News...

Click for video:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-bristol-59429742

 

I thought this would be another yawn fest . But no Lev really gets it and is all over the scene anyway. As she says it's about listening to the music.

If you don't get the music though what's the point of dancing to it.....

 

 

 

[Andybellwood]

deleted 

Edited November 28, 2021 by Andybellwood

[Johnlloyd]

I  went to a do on Friday night from 10 until 3 organised by Lev and her mother Eve, who some may know.

The event was a sell out prior to opening, 150ish at a guess.

90% of attendees were between 25 and 35, Lev's hard work has paid off in Bristol.

Not all records played were "traditional" northern, but the floor was packed all night.

There is a demand here for something other than the usual electronic shite played at most other "young" people's nightclubs.

Hopefully that was the first of many.

Well done Lev.

[Jez Jones]

29 minutes ago, Johnlloyd said:

I  went to a do on Friday night from 10 until 3 organised by Lev and her mother Eve, who some may know.

The event was a sell out prior to opening, 150ish at a guess.

90% of attendees were between 25 and 35, Lev's hard work has paid off in Bristol.

Not all records played were "traditional" northern, but the floor was packed all night.

There is a demand here for something other than the usual electronic shite played at most other "young" people's nightclubs.

Hopefully that was the first of many.

Well done Lev.

Thats great stuff !!! really good to hear ....more power to her !!

[Geeselad]

Thing is the alternatives are so crap. Dance music in all its incarnations is plastic and corporate. 

[Johnlloyd]

Twas ever thus 

[Geeselad]

50 minutes ago, Johnlloyd said:

I  went to a do on Friday night from 10 until 3 organised by Lev and her mother Eve, who some may know.

The event was a sell out prior to opening, 150ish at a guess.

90% of attendees were between 25 and 35, Lev's hard work has paid off in Bristol.

Not all records played were "traditional" northern, but the floor was packed all night.

There is a demand here for something other than the usual electronic shite played at most other "young" people's nightclubs.

Hopefully that was the first of many.

Well done Lev.

So what were the records that weren't northern, out of curiosity?

[Tomangoes]

Is there any limit to this girls talent?

Ed

[Johnlloyd]

13 minutes ago, Geeselad said:

So what were the records that weren't northern, out of curiosity?

Unknown to me, played by a young DJ whose name I should know as I met him last year.

Mainly 70s funky/disco. Although I do him a disservice as he could give a better reply. He went down very well, cheers and applause after each record.

[Johnlloyd]

Eve has just told me the capacity was 300, I thought it was packed. 

[Jez Jones]

2 hours ago, Tomangoes said:

Is there any limit to this girls talent?

Ed

Anyone who can fill a 300 capacity venue ...is doing something right

 

[Fish Fingers]

I think It's great to see the young uns getting into it. 

It would be a waste if it died out with all us older bods. And it's also testament to how good the scene is (not to mention the music) to still be going strong after 40+ years. 

IMO Lev has done more than anyone to promote it to the next generation. 

And I also think it's healthy that the next generation have their own spin on it and do it their way, rather than just mirroring what had been done before. 

I take my hat off to the girl... 

Edited November 28, 2021 by Fish Fingers
Typos

[Wayoutgirl]

I have watched her dancing and full credit to her. She feels the music and moves well. Also seen her with various collectors such as Manship and seems to want to soak up the knowledge from them. Good luck to her I say.

[Marktsoulman]

1 hour ago, Fish Fingers said:

I think It's great to see the young uns getting into it. 

It would be a waste if it died out with all us older bods. And it's also testament to how good the scene is (not to mention the music) to still be going strong after 40+ years. 

IMO Lev has done more than anyone to promote it to the next generation. 

And I also think it's healthy that the next generation have their own spin on it and do it their way, rather than just mirroring what had been done before. 

I take my hat off to the girl... 

Agree... and if we want it to grow for the future, us silly old farts should let the young ones experience their own scene their own way...just imagine they still have to experience the thrill of hearing some of the played out oldies for the first time... and at a young age...jammy buggers. I never want to hear oldies again but for them IT'S ALL NEW!

 

MarkT

[Julianb]

We need someone to buy our old vinyl

[Winsford Soul]

45 minutes ago, Julianb said:

We need someone to buy our old vinyl

At the prices you bought them at Julian  ?

[Mike]

On 28/11/2021 at 02:00, Amsterdam Russ said:

Courtesy of BBC News...

Click for video:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/uk-england-bristol-59429742

 

 

 

 

interesting pass on Russ, thanks

for those who ain't made the walk over yet

here's the video 

 

[Leicester Boy]

Shes top.

[Mal C]

All positive and more power to her, that’s cool so many from that age group attend.  To be honest though always make me blush, if there was a camera I’d be well at the back…

I think the future is here, I know that’s an obvious statement but with all the new music coming through and it’s just poured out since 2006-7 hasn’t it, northern soul will be the overall banner? or just a genre that will be played at a larger more inclusive scene…

Mal

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by Mal C

[Bbrich]

also 'sal & pops' getting to a new audience......  lovely bit of energetic dancing (as opposed to a lot of 'line dancin' i see at some events....)

 

almost 1/2 million views...

[Mssoulie]

8 minutes ago, Bbrich said:

also 'sal & pops' getting to a new audience......  lovely bit of energetic dancing (as opposed to a lot of 'line dancin' i see at some events....)

 

almost 1/2 million views...

These two are great.

[Coolnotes]

Ive some respect for her passion and commitment for the music and desire to spread the word to a younger generation.  An error to suggest "its never reached over to young people' evidenced by many a film clip. Is her venue posted on Soul Source ? R 

[Winsford Soul]

1 hour ago, Coolnotes said:

Ive some respect for her passion and commitment for the music and desire to spread the word to a younger generation.  An error to suggest "its never reached over to young people' evidenced by many a film clip. Is her venue posted on Soul Source ? R 

Totally agree with you on the error.  Never reached over to young people.  1975 first nighter   I was 16 how young does she mean ? 

[Chalky]

For the vast majority of us we are nearer the end than the beginning of this journey and it has to be passed onto others.  I hate to see the scene splashed across the media like it is with Levanna and she does seem to court the attention but if what she does ensure the music doesn't die out with us then more power to her.

Kids have very little these days to look forward to.  We had youth clubs then progressed to clubs, kids don't have scene of any kind really and the music is more of less controlled by the majors.  Hopefully a big bunch of these kids will find the adventure we did.

2 hours ago, Coolnotes said:

Ive some respect for her passion and commitment for the music and desire to spread the word to a younger generation.  An error to suggest "its never reached over to young people' evidenced by many a film clip. Is her venue posted on Soul Source ? R 

not enough stay with it though, very few travel although you don't really have to travel these days.

[Andybellwood]

I guess the splash across the media is down to her publicist and Agencies representing her ? 

[Winsford Soul]

Just seen the latest instagram clip from last weekend in Bristol.  I'm sorry but Levena would have been told to do one, dancing on the stage just a few feet from the turntables 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CW39L4fgXUH/?utm_medium=share_sheet

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by Winsford Soul

[Goldsoul]

On 28/11/2021 at 09:03, Jez Jones said:

Anyone who can fill a 300 capacity venue ...is doing something right

 

Thanks for pointing that out. 
Much appreciated. 
www.goldsoul.co.uk

[Markw]

On 28/11/2021 at 12:03, Johnlloyd said:

Unknown to me, played by a young DJ whose name I should know as I met him last year.

Mainly 70s funky/disco. Although I do him a disservice as he could give a better reply. He went down very well, cheers and applause after each record.

Jack Phillips? Great fella.

[Sunnysoul]

3 hours ago, Goldsoul said:

Thanks for pointing that out. 
Much appreciated. 
www.goldsoul.co.uk

LOL ! That's gold ... gold soul in fact !

[Jstarr]

3 hours ago, Markw said:

Jack Phillips? Great fella.

Yep he is. Or may have been Jason Haynes 

[Timbo58]

My little brother went and wasn't all that impressed, he didn't think they played much 'proper northern', although as he's more into Jazz funk I'll take that as 'mainstream northern'.

He also thought it was amusing that drinks were evident on the floor when in our little club anyone daring to do that would be very quickly re-educated!* I wish her luck & she clearly did well by finding a venue in Bristol since everyone else seems to struggle.

Bristol needs a regular night and if they get an OV one anytime soon, we'll be there, guaranteed.

We had high hopes for Shrine of souls but that was never repeated so the last really regular events (other than go-go all-nighters) must've been the icerink & rock pile back in the day.

* I have to be fair here though -with all the spiking arse*oles out there in younger peoples clubs I can't really blame people for keeping hold of a drink at all costs.

Edited November 30, 2021 by Timbo58

[Stubbsy]

On 28/11/2021 at 14:16, Fish Fingers said:

I think It's great to see the young uns getting into it. 

It would be a waste if it died out with all us older bods. And it's also testament to how good the scene is (not to mention the music) to still be going strong after 40+ years. 

IMO Lev has done more than anyone to promote it to the next generation. 

And I also think it's healthy that the next generation have their own spin on it and do it their way, rather than just mirroring what had been done before. 

I take my hat off to the girl... 

Totally agree!

[Shinehead]

Seems some people are missing the point here , I would think Levanna organised this event to aim it at a young audience , and to try and get herself and others away from the typical Soul night which is attended by mainly people of a more mature age .

And that is the only way the youngsters are going to pick up the baton and carry it forward and not die out .

Leave them to it , they seemed to be enjoying it which is what it is all about.

[Mike]

 

drink on dancefloors posts split off to its own topic here....

 

 

 

 

[Jez Jones]

3 minutes ago, Source said:

 

drink on dancefloors posts split off to its own topic here....

 

 

 

 

phew !!!!! thanks God     

Edited December 1, 2021 by Jez Jones

[Mike]

27 minutes ago, Jez Jones said:

phew !!!!! thanks God     

more posts split off

best use the other topic for all 'drink on dancefloor' related topics and replies

 

[Timbo58]

3 minutes ago, Source said:

more posts split off

best use the other topic for all 'drink on dancefloor' related topics and replies

 

Sorry source. 

[Jez Jones]

Some of the questions/opinions to come out of 'Lev's thread throw up some surprising, yet not far fetched. thoughts

 

What will the scene be like in 40-50 yrs time....No WMC , no high st bars to cater for the scene,,,the dancefloor part of the scene almost none existent

Will it go underground...literally cheeky houseparty's where anything goes........ summer festivals (tent music) ?

Online sessions like through the pandemic ?

Will it become a weekender scene..is it sustainable ?

Will it become a collectors scene only ?

 

Come on lets hear some visionary points of view

We all agree we need to see 'young bloods' taking it forward...but where can they take it ?



Admin remove this if could be integrated into original Lev's thread

[Mike]

59 minutes ago, Jez Jones said:

Admin remove this if could be integrated into original Lev's thread

cheers for that

losing the will to live here

odds are we are just gonna get the same old same old arguments/points/people going back and forwards with each other again and again

haven't we had enough of that for today at least

can't see anything to be gained by having a third similar topic running right now, maybe post again in a few days

so feel best close it for now

thanks

merged into other topic

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 1, 2021 by Source
merged

[Ratt]

In response to source closing that thread recently......about the future of our great scene, which is surely is nosediving in many respects. Primarily with the lack of enough young guns to keep it going. It makes me remember why for me, my first nighter was one that would, in a way last a lifetime. And I think that it was a lot to do with how down and dirty the nights were in the 70's and early 80's. Which made many of us 'feel' for them in a way that is lacking now. The venues are great, in a clean and tidy way. Doors controlled by security. But all these improvements are things that sort of intimidate me in a sense. The actual 'love' of the place is not really there. It's a thought at least. Maybe some of you will agree, who knows?

Edited December 1, 2021 by Source
topic merged into this topic

[Geeselad]

1 hour ago, Ratt said:

In response to source closing that thread recently......about the future of our great scene, which is surely is nosediving in many respects. Primarily with the lack of enough young guns to keep it going. It makes me remember why for me, my first nighter was one that would, in a way last a lifetime. And I think that it was a lot to do with how down and dirty the nights were in the 70's and early 80's. Which made many of us 'feel' for them in a way that is lacking now. The venues are great, in a clean and tidy way. Doors controlled by security. But all these improvements are things that sort of intimidate me in a sense. The actual 'love' of the place is not really there. It's a thought at least. Maybe some of you will agree, who knows?

The fondness that many have for bidds, that closed relatively recently. Can pay testament to you sentiments. The affection that  many of is hold for the 100. Personally the more run down the venue the better for me. 

[Joesoap]

I think it's a shame for younger people that that the unbelievable excitement / mystique / invention we had from music seems to have petered out. But imagine if we'd spent our younger years on things that our parents' / grandparents' generation were into..? Nah. Can't say it would have appealed to me to be honest, for what that's worth.

[Timillustrator]

17 hours ago, Jez Jones said:

Some of the questions/opinions to come out of 'Lev's thread throw up some surprising, yet not far fetched. thoughts

 

What will the scene be like in 40-50 yrs time....No WMC , no high st bars to cater for the scene,,,the dancefloor part of the scene almost none existent

Will it go underground...literally cheeky houseparty's where anything goes........ summer festivals (tent music) ?

Online sessions like through the pandemic ?

Will it become a weekender scene..is it sustainable ?

Will it become a collectors scene only ?

 

Come on lets hear some visionary points of view

We all agree we need to see 'young bloods' taking it forward...but where can they take it ?



Admin remove this if could be integrated into original Lev's thread

I think you'll find that the summer festival side of it is already happening, mainly unbeknownst to many on here. Look at Deptford Northern Soul Club's pages, to a lesser extent the Night Owl in Birmingham - both do events in festivals, full of younger people have been doing so for years. For what it's worth both have also been doing club nights very similar to Lev's for the last 5 years too - complete with throngs of people under 30, drinks on the dancefloor and not exclusively Northern Soul. 

It's really a parallel scene or perhaps not even connected to the scene most people know? but there's a very good chance it'll still be going in 20 or 30 years time. 

[Rick Scott]

I read the posts to date but have to say of no interest to me at all so no intentions of posting views, but got Radio 5Live on while preparing food for tea later and on the Nihal Arthnayake show Navana Mc Clean due on shortly to be interviewed about Northern Soul and her Current Favourite Northern Soul etc. So  she putting herself about a lot on the BBC it would seem  

Edited December 3, 2021 by Rick Scott
text correction

[Blackpoolsoul]

41 minutes ago, Rick Scott said:

I read the posts to date but have to say of no interest to means at all so no intentions of posting views, but got Radio 5Live on while preparing food for tea later and on the Nihal Arthnayake show Navana Mc Clean due on shortly to be interviewed about Northern Soul and her Current Favourite Northern Soul CD So  she putting herself about a lot on the BBC it would seem  

Blimey buddy what a staggering coincidence that is 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Blackpoolsoul

[Fish Fingers]

Kids are less tribalistic than we used to be.

When I was young, most people were either a Soulie / Punk / Heavy Rocker / New Romantic etc. Its how people identified with the world in a time before YouTube and Tik Tok. Clothing and music tribalism were embedded in youth culture. 

I can see next gen just looking at NS as part of their overall diverse music experience. Maybe go to a soul night, then tomorrow go to an indie night. 

If that is the case, it would dilute certain aspects. Dancing and record collecting being obvious ones. 

I could also see the strict barriers of a NS night blurring (as already seems to be the case with Levs do) as next gen take it on their journey. 

More diversity with the music, drinks on the Dancefloor (sorry admin ) etc. 

Just my 02p.

Edited December 2, 2021 by Fish Fingers

[El Corol]

I think there’s a difference between a “scene” and a “night out” at a place that plays some of the same music. The difference being the punters and their preferences. 
 

 

[Geeselad]

Wish we had a few younger members on to give their two peneth, or bitcoins worth. But I'd guess for some of the few young guns who attend non young focussed nights, appreciate the formality and respect as an alternative to what they've seen in mainstream meat markets.

The kind of mickey taking, dancing, arsing round,  ale swilling followed by a fight/ snog/ kebab we all spurned when we were young. Something don't change, there's always been that crowd who don't have take going out that seriously. And there will always be an alternative, it might not be northern soul but imho it won't really be northern soul anyway without the respect for the heritage and culture of the scene. 

Edited December 2, 2021 by Geeselad