If there are "too many" venues the bad ones will wilt and die and the strong ones will flourish,
the punters will call the shots. Venues that are dross with shysten DJs playing shysten sounds
will lose their audiences. Take a look at the ones that are packed out they will be around long
after tonight is all over.
"Soaring record prices" not sure what planet you live on but record prices are diving faster
than a Trafalgar class SSBN (that's a submarine BTW). Only top notch rare oldies, newies,
etc are still fetching anywhere near recent prices, anything else can be had for twopence.
Even in demanders are less than 2 years ago, any record dealer I talk to tells me they are
selling fewer and fewer records to fewer and fewer customers. Whereas re-issues were getting
£30 - £60 a go most can be had now for a fiver.
As for feuds even SS members are tiring of these, that's a good indication of the waning
interest in "well, that's what I heard anyway". The mention of Ian L rarely raises an eyelid
nowadays, long gone are the raging, end of the world, life & death discussions of old.
NS is going thru a normal cycle, old punters came back, record prices went up, venue
attendances too, now most have gotten it out of their system 2nd time round, prices
are falling and venue attendances too, give it a year or two and things could be back
to "normal" mind you not sure you can ever put "normal" and "Northern Soul" in the same
sentance.
Chris L