"main" Room And "modern" Room At The Same Event

[Dave]

In recent months I've attended one or two events that have boasted a "main" room and a second, "modern" room. Each time I have left wondering where the dividing lines are supposed to be.

Now, when I have wandered, albeit briefly, into one of these "modern" rooms, I've heard a good few well known, overplayed even, records which are often played at "across the board" type events, the likes of Drizabone, Lou Rawls, DJ Gnesis etc etc.... always 70s onwards, so fair enough.

But, on returning to the "main" room, it is not unusual to hear these records played in there on the same night!

So... what is the point of it? If an event has a "modern" room, shouldn't the "main" room be 60's only? Even, heaven forbid, a bit of R&B?

Or, if the "main" room is going to include well known tracks from all eras, shouldn't the "modern" room concentrate on real modern soul, the sort that's not usually heard at an "a.t.b" night?

Be interested to know other's views on this.

Edited February 18, 2008 by Dave

[Guest MOLLY]

In recent months I've attended one or two events that have boasted a "main" room and a second, "modern" room. Each time I have left wondering where the dividing lines are supposed to be, and this has just been reinforced by reading playlists from each room of an event at the weekend.

Now, when I have wandered, albeit briefly, into one of these "modern" rooms, I've heard a good few well known, overplayed even, records which are often played at "across the board" type events, the likes of Drizabone, Lou Rawls, DJ Gnesis etc etc.... always 70s onwards, so fair enough.

But, on returning to the "main" room, it is not unusual to hear these records played in there on the same night!

So... what is the point of it? If an event has a "modern" room, shouldn't the "main" room be 60's only? Even, heaven forbid, a bit of R&B?

Or, if the "main" room is going to include well known tracks from all eras, shouldn't the "modern" room concentrate on real modern soul, the sort that's not usually heard at an "a.t.b" night?

Be interested to know other's views on this.

Right firstly shouldn't one get his facts right about certain events and their rooms policy ! I was the said DJ you are referring to in your post. The four 70's tracks I played at the end of my first spot are well known for being played in main rooms up and down the country for years now. Some are now even called 70's northern tracks! The small room you are refering to at the Peterborough allniter was billed as a Modern and crossover room. Leaving it open to the DJ's to play basically anything from the late 60's up to Y2K. What you need to know is that on the night the Modern/Crossover room where I was DJing, the Promoter asked me to finish in that room at 4am. Then move everyone into the main room for the last 2hours, very sensible move with the numbers that were left. For the last two hours we were told we could play right across the board in the main room, given the fact that half the crowd in there were from the Modern/Crossover room. So my ending spot had something for everyone in the main room, and the dance floor reflected that. The DJ Genesis that I again played was actually a request from somebody who for most of the night resided in the main room. I as a DJ always listen and watch to see what the crowd wants before I get behind the decks. At the end of the day your booked on the strength of what you have in your play box, and first and foremost to entertain the crowd in front of you. Ask anyone who attended Saturday's allniter and they will tell you that is exactly what I did.

Molly

[Dave]

Right firstly shouldn't one get his facts right about certain events and their rooms policy ! I was the said DJ you are referring to in your post. The four 70's tracks I played at the end of my first spot are well known for being played in main rooms up and down the country for years now. Some are now even called 70's northern tracks! The small room you are refering to at the Peterborough allniter was billed as a Modern and crossover room. Leaving it open to the DJ's to play basically anything from the late 60's up to Y2K. What you need to know is that on the night the Modern/Crossover room where I was DJing, the Promoter asked me to finish in that room at 4am. Then move everyone into the main room for the last 2hours, very sensible move with the numbers that were left. For the last two hours we were told we could play right across the board in the main room, given the fact that half the crowd in there were from the Modern/Crossover room. So my ending spot had something for everyone in the main room, and the dance floor reflected that. The DJ Genesis that I again played was actually a request from somebody who for most of the night resided in the main room. I as a DJ always listen and watch to see what the crowd wants before I get behind the decks. At the end of the day your booked on the strength of what you have in your play box, and first and foremost to entertain the crowd in front of you. Ask anyone who attended Saturday's allniter and they will tell you that is exactly what I did.

Molly

I think you've over-reacted to my post.

Firstly it was a question, a question which, as I explained in the original post, was borne not just from a playlist but also from attending two-room events in recent months. The event you refer to is far from being unusual in using a two-room format.

Second, being a question, it was not meant to be a criticism... not of you or any other individual.

[Guest MOLLY]

I think you've over-reacted to my post.

Firstly it was a question, a question which, as I explained in the original post, was borne not just from a playlist but also from attending two-room events in recent months. The event you refer to is far from being unusual in using a two-room format.

Second, being a question, it was not meant to be a criticism... not of you or any other individual.

I don't think i've over reacted at all, the way it reads you've basically used me as a scapegoat for your theory. You should of just generalised and not named a recent playlist as ammunition for it, when you don't know the facts of the matter you refered to !

[Rednose]

I don't think i've over reacted at all, the way it reads you've basically used me as a scapegoat for your theory. You should of just generalised and not named a recent playlist as ammunition for it, when you don't know the facts of the matter you refered to !

????

[CAMBRIDGE SOUL]

just looked at your playlist molly and see very few, if any Modern room only choons ... nice mix of 60's rnb , classic oldies and quality 70's and some that i would say are safe main room 70's like esp and phillip mitchel.... .... if you had played Vince montana then i would say not in the main room if there is a modern room .... but from my experience you are a dj first and a collector 2nd and know how to get a dance floor buzzing ...... will give the thread some thought as modern rooms playing chooons that do not work with a northern main room are a thing that drives me mad .... so will add later on .... will try not to upset to many people ! lol

evolution at St Ive's will have 2 very different rooms ... but i will bet anything that sam plays UBP in both rooms and packs the floor in both !

also the reunion on nov 1st will have a 70 & 80 classic modern oldies room and we will try to have very few choons played in both rooms

[Simon M]

Yes Dave , Im all for that little 60's only room these days ..you been speaking to Rod

Edited February 18, 2008 by Simon M

[Souljazera]

Yes Dave , Im all for that little 60's room only these days ..you been speaking to Rod

should that be the tiny stomperoonie room

hope all is well simon..

[chrissie]

Yes Dave , Im all for that little 60's room only these days ..you been speaking to Rod

oi you, my favorite little disco bunny, don't you think you have got that the wrong way round

QoFxx

[Simon M]

oi you, my favorite little disco bunny, don't you think you have got that the wrong way round

QoFxx

No even Rod Shard said he'd like a little 60's room for today .?

Edited February 18, 2008 by Simon M

[Simon M]

should that be the tiny stomperoonie room

hope all is well simon..

Yeah all is well .. Myself and Wrighty mashed it up at Corks !!

[chrissie]

No even Rod Shard said he'd like a little 60's room for today .?

Cant seem to save it so PM me that photo...........I feel a badge coming on

QoFxx

[Dave]

I don't think i've over reacted at all, the way it reads you've basically used me as a scapegoat for your theory. You should of just generalised and not named a recent playlist as ammunition for it, when you don't know the facts of the matter you refered to !

Scapegoat? Strange choice of words!

I didn't name anyone or any venue, but seeing as you are so sensitive I will go back and edit the original post.

[Guest Bearsy]

I personally think that moden rooms at northern venues dont work, well not the ones ive been to anyway, the reason for that is that northern promoters are promoting both rooms, me i would get a top northern line up to attract the northern followers and a top Modern line up to attract the modern crowd, not have any of the djs dj in both rooms as they would all be specialists in their own given scene, if then a modern fan wanted to venture into the bang bang room (Simon Ms expression) and the northern fan wanted to venture in the boom shacka wow wow room then great but why do so many venues try to do the 2 togehter and not really have the right tools for the job

how many venues can honsetly say they get the set up and line up right and have a resounding successful night

[chrissie]

I personally think that moden rooms at northern venues dont work, well not the ones ive been to anyway, the reason for that is that northern promoters are promoting both rooms, me i would get a top northern line up to attract the northern followers and a top Modern line up to attract the modern crowd, not have any of the djs dj in both rooms as they would all be specialists in their own given scene, if then a modern fan wanted to venture into the bang bang room (Simon Ms expression) and the northern fan wanted to venture in the boom shacka wow wow room then great but why do so many venues try to do the 2 togehter and not really have the right tools for the job

how many venues can honsetly say they get the set up and line up right and have a resounding successful night

Blummin heck, have you been taking the sensible pills again

QoFxx

Well said by the way

[Dave]

Yes Dave , Im all for that little 60's room only these days ..you been speaking to Rod

Not too bothered about the size of the room Simon... after all, size is relative isn't it?

My point is, if there are two rooms, why not have a completely different music policy for each?

[Dave]

I personally think that moden rooms at northern venues dont work, well not the ones ive been to anyway, the reason for that is that northern promoters are promoting both rooms, me i would get a top northern line up to attract the northern followers and a top Modern line up to attract the modern crowd, not have any of the djs dj in both rooms as they would all be specialists in their own given scene, if then a modern fan wanted to venture into the bang bang room (Simon Ms expression) and the northern fan wanted to venture in the boom shacka wow wow room then great but why do so many venues try to do the 2 togehter and not really have the right tools for the job

how many venues can honsetly say they get the set up and line up right and have a resounding successful night

Good points Bearsy!

Hope you've got your flak-jacket handy.

[Guest Bearsy]

Good points Bearsy!

Hope you've got your flak-jacket handy.

thanks Dave

no flak-jacket needed mate its how it really is in my eyes

but if anyone dares to disagree bring it on im ready and have much more to say on the subject

[Guest Bearsy]

Blummin heck, have you been taking the sensible pills again

QoFxx

Well said by the way

well, there not sensible but yeah i have

[Simon M]

Not too bothered about the size of the room Simon... after all, size is relative isn't it?

My point is, if there are two rooms, why not have a completely different music policy for each?

It makes sence to have a smaller 60's only room, as most who like 70's and modern like some 60's too .

but theres a lower % of ( that depending on where u r, & hopefully not Burnley imc ) 60's only people who need their own room in 2008

Edited February 19, 2008 by Simon M

[Guest posstot]

Scapegoat? Strange choice of words!

I didn't name anyone or any venue, but seeing as you are so sensitive I will go back and edit the original post.

I agree, wholeheartedly with your "general" point.(i say, general, so i dont get shouted at...)

I wrote a letter, of Concern, towards the latter days of the Queens Hall in Bradford. To Steve Croft, who run the night, saying the same thing, way back in the late 80's....(So to my ears this has always been an issue...).

However, not a problem to a lot of people. For me, and inumerous others, this has been a bit of a hinderance as to the enjoyment of a night out, for many,many,many years.( I personally blame one venue for this). That's a whole other argument which isn't worth going into.( Yes you know the LEGENDARY venue..and no I didn't go...I wouldn't have gone)

Now, from my point of view, soul music has evolved in sound, vibe and context right from the late fifties...however when we got to that 70's period the music fundementally changed its vibe/beat/melody. Leaving us with disco-soul.....and we can reverse that argument in favour of the Modern fans out there, who feel the same ,"in reverse" about the sixties sound/s.

The point being, the Northern soul scene was built on the music of the sixties. In the main that's what we all want to hear.(no argument! count the venues..the c.d's..the History of the scene itself). Therefore, if there is a two roomed event, main hall and "modern room". Yes the main hall should be 60's and the modern 70's to up to date!. Then there is no argument to be had. ("yeh, but the music of the modern era has a place on the scene and people do dance to the modern stuff, the dancefloor reacts".........good point, " Have you seen how empty the modern room is? well f**k off in there and leave us alone to dance to the real deal.").

The whole point nowadays, however, is that if you don't want to hear seventies or "whatever" in the main hall then go to a venue that advertises just sixties.....and the problem is solved( likewise 70's 80's upto y2k)....there are, too many venues out there doing that same old same old..where issues, like this one, seem to have been talked about time and time and time again and again...Our nights out are meant to be about going to venues to hear what you want to hear and have fun within the venues with like minded people without having to moan about...."Did you hear them play e.s.p again" and "why do they always play ace spectrum and ruin it...." "why the foookin ell do they play, driza bone, in the main hall..and straight after troy dodds, for fooks sake"( these are quotes i probably said myself over the years...and too many times)

Well, i got myself a metaforical..meterphoricle...mettifoh,ittle a pretend ladder, got out of my pretend little hole, created by said venues and arguments...climbed out and was blinded by the light of..............................................................................

............................................................................

THE SOULFUL SHACK !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Where the music was 60's...soulful RnB , good old fashioned earthy, low down dirty, big production , LARGE vocal, whole hearted, Detroit, New York, Washington, Philly, Texas and NEW..a track i hadn't heard before...and another...and oh how i missed you, that record that was stored away in the back of your mind, cupped by the hands of forgetfulness and released by the hand of rememberance itself, oh joyous night of dancing, rememberred in the morning, by the cramp in the arch of your foot, that little toe folding up over the next....i remember, i danced, I I I had f f f fun....thank god for the soulful shack!!!!!!!Music is back!!

This is an advertisement..No one person or venue or music policy is identified as true or real. if, in the event that anybody feels that they, or someone they know, or place and time is recognised to be real. This is purely through coincidence, as all the material within this advertisement is fictional......except for the SOULFUL SHACK.

[Pete Eccles]

I personally think that moden rooms at northern venues dont work, well not the ones ive been to anyway, the reason for that is that northern promoters are promoting both rooms, me i would get a top northern line up to attract the northern followers and a top Modern line up to attract the modern crowd, not have any of the djs dj in both rooms as they would all be specialists in their own given scene, if then a modern fan wanted to venture into the bang bang room (Simon Ms expression) and the northern fan wanted to venture in the boom shacka wow wow room then great but why do so many venues try to do the 2 togehter and not really have the right tools for the job

how many venues can honsetly say they get the set up and line up right and have a resounding successful night

Paul, Prestwich has been running on a monthly basis for around 9 years, 2 rooms, modern and northern, ive missed 2 nights since it started, and in all that time i bet ive not spent a hour in the modern room when totalling all my visits in there, totally different night out and so i'm reliably informed, and from looking in from the outside when in the record bar which is between the two rooms its always packed with a completely different crowd from the 'main' room, that for those into modern soul its as good as it gets,

Just sayin it can be done and done very successfully, but the music policy miles apart,

Pete

[Roger Williams]

Paul, Prestwich has been running on a monthly basis for around 9 years, 2 rooms, modern and northern, ive missed 2 nights since it started, and in all that time i bet ive not spent a hour in the modern room when totalling all my visits in there, totally different night out and so i'm reliably informed, and from looking in from the outside when in the record bar which is between the two rooms its always packed with a completely different crowd from the 'main' room, that for those into modern soul its as good as it gets,

Just sayin it can be done and done very successfully, but the music policy miles apart,

Pete

Prestwich is, and always has been, the 100% perfect example of how a northern and modern event should be structured imho.

Also, never book a DJ for a modern room who won't play CDs, or better still, do away with the record decks in the modern rooms just in the same way as there's no CD players in many northern rooms, that way you'd keep the vinyl-head DJs in the oldies arena where they belong.

[Guest Bearsy]

Paul, Prestwich has been running on a monthly basis for around 9 years, 2 rooms, modern and northern, ive missed 2 nights since it started, and in all that time i bet ive not spent a hour in the modern room when totalling all my visits in there, totally different night out and so i'm reliably informed, and from looking in from the outside when in the record bar which is between the two rooms its always packed with a completely different crowd from the 'main' room, that for those into modern soul its as good as it gets,

Just sayin it can be done and done very successfully, but the music policy miles apart,

Pete

a perfect example then Pete that proves it can be done if done properly and proves that the 2 scenes are a distance apart , imho, too many venues have a music policy in each room not that far apart at times really, but then again who really knows what a proper modern room really is nowadays

[Mark R]

Prestwich is, and always has been, the 100% perfect example of how a northern and modern event should be structured imho.

Also, never book a DJ for a modern room who won't play CDs, or better still, do away with the record decks in the modern rooms just in the same way as there's no CD players in many northern rooms, that way you'd keep the vinyl-head DJs in the oldies arena where they belong.

Sure that's slightly tongue in check mate, but it certainly makes no sense whatsoever to have NO CD players in a modern room...........I would go as far as to say only having one CD player is not acceptable.

You can't be playing the best contemporary music around if you aren't able to use CD and vinyl decks IMHO..........well, not via legitimate copies anyway........that said, I guess most stuff is available legit via download now....but not all!

Like I always say..........choosing your music based on format is bizarre in the extreme............and that's from a vinyl lover.............vinyl is nice to have, but I wouldn't let it dictate my purchases.........it's the music that counts

Cheers,

Mark R

[Guest nusha]

Sure that's slightly tongue in check mate, but it certainly makes no sense whatsoever to have NO CD players in a modern room...........I would go as far as to say only having one CD player is not acceptable.

You can't be playing the best contemporary music around if you aren't able to use CD and vinyl decks IMHO..........well, not via legitimate copies anyway........that said, I guess most stuff is available legit via download now....but not all!

Like I always say..........choosing your music based on format is bizarre in the extreme............and that's from a vinyl lover.............vinyl is nice to have, but I wouldn't let it dictate my purchases.........it's the music that counts

Cheers,

Yes have to concur with all of that.

Are 70s records valid to Modern scene anymore.They are the roots but are they holding it all back?

Mark R

[Dave Fleming]

I personally think that moden rooms at northern venues dont work,

how many venues can honsetly say they get the set up and line up right and have a resounding successful night

Bearsy more close to home the Plinston when that was running seemed to get the mix right with two rooms,infact some nights there seemed to be more people in the Modern room at times than there was in the main room ,but i do agree about not playing Modern in the main room if there`s a Modern room in the same place,unless it`s an out and out upfront Modern room playing mainly new stuff then the main room should play a mix of 60s & 70s.imo but what do i know

Dave f............

[Guest Bearsy]

Bearsy more close to home the Plinston when that was running seemed to get the mix right with two rooms,infact some nights there seemed to be more people in the Modern room at times than there was in the main room ,but i do agree about not playing Modern in the main room if there`s a Modern room in the same place,unless it`s an out and out upfront Modern room playing mainly new stuff then the main room should play a mix of 60s & 70s.imo but what do i know

Dave f............

you know more than you let on Dave , i couldnt agree more on your thoughts as thats pretty much how i see it but what do i know

[Steve G]

you know more than you let on Dave , i couldnt agree more on your thoughts as thats pretty much how i see it but what do i know

You guys are all sensible so no need for the public back slapping and self flagulation fellas but what do I know?

[Guest Bearsy]

You guys are all sensible so no need for the public back slapping and self flagulation fellas but what do I know?

i know Steve your right as usual, but hey what do i know

[Guest Bearsy]

You guys are all sensible so no need for the public back slapping and self flagulation fellas but what do I know?

what do you reckon Taffy thinks of it all Steve, but what does he know

come on Taffy i can see you lurking

[Souljazera]

Yeah all is well .. Myself and Wrighty mashed it up at Corks !!

would that be swede or potato?? or sweet potato even?

[Steve G]

would that be swede or potato?? or sweet potato even?

Tony get with it man, you're supposed to finish the post with "But what do i know"

[Simon M]

would that be swede or potato?? or sweet potato even?

It was more a Butternut Mash with very hot chilli !

[Guest WPaulVanDyk]

why not a little modern in a room that might be billed as across the board and yet there is still a modern room. I am not saying loads but some of us don't go into a Modern room even if we like it. so if i hear say 20 modern tracks and say 100 Northern in a room fine.

Another thing though wasn't there Northern soul releases in the 70's that don't get labelled Modern, disco and funk etc cause if so then why have a room that states 60's/Oldies/Northern and one that states 70's/modern up to current music when you can't play the few 70's tracks in that oldies room which are Northern just as much as the 60's ones