With numbers dwindeling and some do's only attended by 20 or 30 people is it time to go main stream in our attempt to pull in punters?

I noticed a local venue that is just starting up has solicited the local press and even the local cheesy commercial radio station in an attempt to promote their event. Undoubtably this will put 'bum's on seats' as they say but at what cost? and what next baby kissing?

Maybe i'm just an elitest snob but i would rather introduce people to the scene i love than water it down to suit the masses.

I know ill get a hundred dinosaur comments but was interested in everyones views. What do you think the best way to promote the scene is and if we do need new blood for it to survive, is this the way forward?

...Just go where you wanna go and have a good time..The small underground scene will be there for a long time,maybe less events but thats not a bad thing...I aint dancing outside Greggs in a shopping center or other things of that nature but some do and have a good time it seems.. ...Do what you wanna do,plenty choice out there at the moment for sure..There are clowns taking some folk for a ride,they will trip up on them oversized shoes one day i hope...

xx

staying uderground...

Edited October 18, 200717 yr by little-stevie

after the recent spate of off topic posts , asking all to tone it down

  outonthefloor said:

With numbers dwindeling and some do's only attended by 20 or 30 people is it time to go main stream in our attempt to pull in punters?

If promoters are only getting those sort of numbers through the door they really have to try something. If that means advertising outwith the soul scene why not?

I noticed a local venue that is just starting up has solicited the local press and even the local cheesy commercial radio station in an attempt to promote their event. Undoubtably this will put 'bum's on seats' as they say but at what cost? and what next baby kissing?

I take it you mean the Essex night which is raising money for charity. Also it's a new venue, i think they are right getting as much coverage locally. It's called promoting.

Maybe i'm just an elitest snob but i would rather introduce people to the scene i love than water it down to suit the masses.

Why not make it like the masons people have to be proposed by existing soul scene masons. Go the whole way interview by panel. Introduce an etiquette booklet.

I know ill get a hundred dinosaur comments but was interested in everyones views. What do you think the best way to promote the scene is and if we do need new blood for it to survive, is this the way forward?

If people looked for bars locally put on weekly free nights, playing more obvious soul to begin with then introduce more upfront / obscure stuff as you go along. Worked for us in Brighton a few years back packed a bar every thursday then friday for a couple of years. Eventually played whatever we wanted. Which for us was all eras. We also guested at House / Funk / Hip hop nights playing soul and had a load of fun doing it.

Derek

  outonthefloor said:

With numbers dwindeling and some do's only attended by 20 or 30 people is it time to go main stream in our attempt to pull in punters?

I noticed a local venue that is just starting up has solicited the local press and even the local cheesy commercial radio station in an attempt to promote their event. Undoubtably this will put 'bum's on seats' as they say but at what cost? and what next baby kissing?

Maybe i'm just an elitest snob but i would rather introduce people to the scene i love than water it down to suit the masses.

I know ill get a hundred dinosaur comments but was interested in everyones views. What do you think the best way to promote the scene is and if we do need new blood for it to survive, is this the way forward?

Can we EVER expect to witness a decade where so much happened in the world of Music?

So much in fact that we as a scene are still amazed at the Quality of output to present day, and Endeavour to seek out those elusive tracks.

We constantly look back to the EXPLOSION of Talent, but could it ever happen again?

Doubtful, in my honest opinion.

The more that I think about this, the conclusion I always arrive at is that, the future of our Scene is assured.

Good music will live forever; we may not stay as a Northern Soul scene but we will definitely survive.

Bums on seats?

Hopefully everyone will be dancing, and enjoying the wonderful music.

I realise why you are concerned, but like Many of the classics, They were made with the Intention of appeal to a mass audience.

A dinosaur I may be, the music however will survive, long after I am extinct.

Edited October 20, 200717 yr by 45cellar

With numbers dwindeling and some do's only attended by 20 or 30 people is it time to go main stream in our attempt to pull in punters?

If promoters are only getting those sort of numbers through the door they really have to try something. If that means advertising outwith the soul scene why not?

I noticed a local venue that is just starting up has solicited the local press and even the local cheesy commercial radio station in an attempt to promote their event. Undoubtably this will put 'bum's on seats' as they say but at what cost? and what next baby kissing?

I take it you mean the Essex night which is raising money for charity. Another clever promotion gimmik but if charities benefit then fair enough Also it's a new venue, i think they are right getting as much coverage locally. It's called promoting. I know what its called i was questioning weather it was the right approach, if you think it is thats fair enough

Maybe i'm just an elitest snob but i would rather introduce people to the scene i love than water it down to suit the masses.

Why not make it like the masons people have to be proposed by existing soul scene masons. Go the whole way interview by panel. Introduce an etiquette booklet. yawn yawn not that old remark! Thats not at all what i meant at all.

I know ill get a hundred dinosaur comments but was interested in everyones views. What do you think the best way to promote the scene is and if we do need new blood for it to survive, is this the way forward?

If people looked for bars locally put on weekly free nights, playing more obvious soul to begin with then introduce more upfront / obscure stuff as you go along. Worked for us in Brighton a few years back packed a bar every thursday then friday for a couple of years. Eventually played whatever we wanted. Which for us was all eras. We also guested at House / Funk / Hip hop nights playing soul and had a load of fun doing it.

That seems like sound advice to me as one way to start out.

Derek

Helen

Get lots of Motown played Helen and flyer those bingo halls

Edited October 20, 200717 yr by Simon M

  Simon M said:

Get lots of Motown played Helen and flyer those bingo halls

Thanks Simon you're a star!!! lol xx

See ya Tonite form more good advice!!!

Helen

XX

off topic posts and images deleted

  outonthefloor said:

Thanks Simon you're a star!!! lol xx

See ya Tonite form more good advice!!!

Helen

XX

Oh yes , get them shuffling shoes on , for the modern

Edited October 20, 200717 yr by Simon M

There has always been two groups to please, and if its getting rich your after, unless your a record dealer it aint coming from rare soul.

More promoters exist now than ever before and if its your living, you would be nuts to be selective.

Maybe just like the housing market the scene is going to crash? What goes around comes around.

Ed

Whats wrong with advertising on the radio? If it gets another half dozen soulies down who hadn't known the event was on, then so much the better for the event?