Good thread actually here is my subjective view for what it is worth! After committing myself continually since 78 to nighters at 45 my enthusiasm is on the slide.This year I have done the Wilton 3 times and loved it,I prefer the short blast unless the nighter is exceptional,lifeline weekender last year fitted into that category but took me a week to get over cos I dont do it by halfs if you know what I mean.lol.
I think the scene itself will always be nighter driven and long may it continue,however the bigger picture of collecting records is not scene driven [for me]its quality driven and the next best thing on the northern scene very rarely does it for me these days,infact alot of the bigger records dont tickle my fancy anyway [a good example been the nurons]had the money to buy it,but thought about the amount of £5 to £20 records unplayed and untried that I could of got for money
Back to the original question,no way is the nighter scene stale the gigs mentioned Lifeline,Wilton,etc keep it fresh with the right mix etc and stick to some extent to the principles of the bigger djs breaking sounds and standing by them,this is a tried and tested formula on the northern scene and it works! I do also feel that the nighter scene is always close to dissapperaing up its own arse,the Parliaments track played then the frenzy to get this afterwards when their turned up again proving that not alot of people out their breaking tunes of their own just following suite imho.
I know alot of true people of soul dont gig much these days because of the baggage that goes with nighters ie the travel,gear,music tastes not to their likeing etc,we all have alot at our doorsteps now through the internet,cds,media,that does not help preserve a scene which traditionaly has thrived on the sounds been broke at the clubs and kept in the hearts and minds of punters who have nourished the scene and perpetuated the mytH that only certain records can be heard when you go to a nighter,not so sure about that now??
BAZ A