Len

"The cream will rise to the top" I wish that were true, and if it's judged by more people choosing an event, is that then classed as the cream purely on numbers through the door? What I'm witnessing, is devoted promoters and DJs that put so much in to our Scene being disheartened after putting all the ingredients that I believe to be right in to something, and not getting people through the door, whereas other events that are not for me can be really busy. Lot's of people go to McDonalds Len

Promoters used to work together - They / we all used to attend the same events, whereas nowadays they are in competition with each other. I know some have mentioned egos / 5 minutes of fame etc, and that may well be true in some cases. But, I think part of what influences some to put on events is pure blind enthusiasm - I remember standing with someone at my event, it was a busy night (as they all were back then in comparison to today), and he said....."This is great, I'll have to put one on".......I remember thinking, why? It's happening here right now! It has to be said that there are a lot more people on the scene now, so more events would come hand in hand with that. Also, a lot of them are localized, as in, catering for people in the immediate vicinity, which has stopped a lot of people from travelling as they get what they want close to home. Let's diarize to discuss again in 5 years time, see what changes - More events? Or die a death over time? (BabyBoyAndMyLass) All the best, Len

If memory serves - They even had the country's promoter's phone numbers at the bottom of the page, which shows how few people did promote back then. (It was all that was needed) Len

Oh god, do you think so?!!!......You know I won't sleep tonight now Len

I used to run a free fanzine ('Northern News') which had all the events within about 50 miles listed (along with the country's main All-nighters) Every single promoter included used to ring me to check if a date was free, and back then they even tried their best not to be the following week let alone the same weekend (same night was unheard of!) Hard to imagine now aye? Len

Promoters do fall out - More so nowadays. 15 years ago they respected each other's events / and genuinely cared about 'the bigger picture' (As mentioned)......They also DID THE MATH! Hey ho... Len

The trouble with you lot is that no matter how many are at a venue, you always have a good time! That don't help the promoter though - So less of that business please Steve Len

I know exactly where IanP is coming from with his opening post - It is so disheartening to witness, and is something that has gradually been going on for a good while now (like ageing) Once a venue starts to 'slide', it's almost impossible to turn it around (If you have a bad meal at a restaurant, you don't tend to go back) Personally I'm considering having a 'Northern Soul Gap Year', and hope that maybe the scene will naturally adjust (I'm not holding my breath though) Thank you to all the genuine promoters (and DJs) who are sticking with it. Ending on a positive - It's not all bad. There are some venues that are doing just fine. I believe 'The Rugby All-nighter' is one example (and well deserved) / and I expect 'The 100 Club' will go on forever Len

RIP Dave - We're two of the many people who have very happy memories of your Wilton All-nighters. Len 'n' Nina x

Yes a legend, never to be forgotten. We will miss you (and your unique Christmas cards) RIP my friend. Len and Nina x

We asked Ady this question eeeeevery year at The 100 Club! (Our clocks went back the moment we left the all-nighter) Len

Current state You have two choices of how to view it (Depending what mood you’re in) 1) A twitching corpse - That ‘leaps up’ every so often giving some hope, but it’s just a gathering of (mainly) old men in a room (with some good music) Or 2) A beautiful thing - That still has ‘legs’, and you go out with a positive attitude making the most of still being able to dance, along with mixing with life-long friends, enjoying this fantastic music. It’s easier to be positive than negative, so best to fight that if you can, and lean towards ‘Option 2’ All the bestest, Len Edit - 'Deliberate mistake' pointed out as per below - Strike that, and switch! Yes, I meant it's easier to be negative than to be positive

I read 'The In Crowd' (Mike Ritson & Stuart Russell) which was one of the first / and covered it pretty well - I can't imagine trying to write a book to cover today's 'scene' I'll probably get round to reading my others when I retire... Len

I have loads of 'Soul Books' I ain't read Len

No, that sort of cooperation seemed to have ended around 15 years ago - No sarcasm, it did actually exist back then (In my experience anyway) Len

We had 'No kids' on our wedding invitations (Ahem - That went down well with some) Although most of the guests fully understood! Len

Many moons ago, I rang Sylvia Croasdell (rip) to ask if The Cleethorpes Weekender was somewhere I could maybe take my kids........"No".....was her short and 'to the point' reply Good god she was right! Len

And a Weekender is cheaper than a Care Home, so (sos mum) I have it all planned out Len

So we're all agreed - We've never had it so good Len

"It's got a good beat" Len

'Now That's What I Call Northern Soul' Len

A Cull Len

Don't shoot me - But didn't that exposure attract some good people to the scene? Len

Too many topics Len

I think a lot of people are opting for the staying in / record room route. The amount of events out there has defo had a detrimental effect - I don't even look anymore. Not so sure about the many events playing boots - I'm sure there's some, but it's so easy to buy originals nowadays. There's just loads on that are exactly the same. People miss the creativity / the unexpected, the 'effort to reward' ratio makes some not bother anymore (As said above) We'll keep on moaning - at least that makes us happy Len