I too was a little surprised that Pete's comments were construed as 'arrogant'. I have experience of the UK, US and the European 'scenes' (if you can call them that). Me...I'm more than happy 'dicking around'. It's not any 'scene' that is important to me, it's the music and the format.
Had quite a few people comment to me over the years that Hitsville was "Not what we expected". Many seem to think that 'Johnny foreigner' must be a pale comparison to what lots of UK people think is the only place soul music gets played. So long as the music's good and like minded folks wanna gather to hear it in a nice location, I'll crack on. The UK scene to me is just another bunch of people gathering to hear music. Same as any other. It holds no reverence for me, hasn't done for 20 years. In fact...sometimes the gigs I attend there disappoint in many ways. Especially after reading reviews in lookbacks on here!
One point I would make about the European scene especially, is that, in my experience, most do tend to 'lean' on the UK 'tried and tested' names for their DJ line. I know that tends to put me off some gigs. Can't understand why they don't unshackle their own collectors a little more, or search out 'new' collectors/DJs from UK a little bit more. Same trait as UK I suppose.
One thing is for sure....The age difference between EX Pat 'scenes' and the genuine locally born fans is more than noticeable outside UK. But then that's only natural I think. If you got 250 Ex Pats attending a European gig of 500 then I think quite a number of the locals would think it less 'cool' to be involved. Once again, same trait as UK eh?
Anywhere soul music is played should be encouraged, the amount of 'progressive devotees' in UK that have never left it's shores to either hunt down records or just to experience something new does make me laugh at times. Get out from yer comfort zones people, jump on a plane, see what's happening outside the UK's working men's clubs or upstairs pub rooms! You never know...it might put a smile back on some of your faces.