I am not going to comment on any venues I've not been to Matt. That would be madness - show me a playlist, and I'll comment on that though.
What I find interesting though is that the DJs who I know have really good records that I'd class as cutting edge and who can also put a northern type set together like Dyson, Dobson, The Dentist, C Steele, A Fenn, Kitch / Dean, D Welding, J McClure, S Green, D Thorley and a few others don't appear to be on too often at all these upfront gigs that exist. By contrast there's a lot of fellas with a box of these sort of "ok / good" known / semi known oldie records doing the rounds week in week out thinking they've got top records. That's my opinion of course and I am sure others will disagree. I realise I am being a bit controversial.
There are also some bloody good general DJs that have strong collections and a great feel, like T Massey, P Lyster, Mick H etc.
As Chalky said the problem is we've become a nation of DJs and too many venues trying to be upfront.