Nail on head there Malc certainly for me at least, I've been to one Allnighter and two Soul nights this year from a DJ perspective and to be honest I've not missed it at all, infact at the start of the year I cancelled several DJ bookings and have since declined others basically because there is no real desire or need for me to do it anymore with all the crap, feuds, politics etc. it's sometimes not a nice place to be, I simply find it best and less hassel to stay away from it all, collect records, present the Radio show and enjoy music with a close group of friends from time to time, for many of us the Northern Soul way of life has been totally destroyed by the constant abuse of the scene, I have alway's had a rich deep passion for the music and alway's will but my commitment, passion and desire to attend venues as a DJ or otherwise has pretty much gone, never say never and all that but why should the majority of people who really have a passion for the music and actually contribute to the progression of the scene be made to feel totally dejected almost to the point of not wanting to be part of something that has played such an important part in their lives for well a lifetime, the scene really has to take stock of the current trends and take a long hard look at it's self before the whole thing totally implodes, fact is many of us will still hold and cherish the only single most important funidmental aspect if the scene does fade away which is of course the records, finally as respect to the music all this nonsence has to stop and stop now.
Regards - Mark Bicknell.