Hi Jock,
God you got some time on your hands..Agree with a few points there mate. I'm not sure that things are any different in some ways to what they were years ago..Me and Dean Anderson used to put alldayers on (and someone is going to have to help me on the dates as I can't remember) In Notts & Derby mmm. maybe 87-88 but not sure now. Dj's of the time varied but included Butch, Andy Whitmore, Cliff, Some of the Scottish Crew, and various others which again i can't remember. Then butch was breaking through as a dj playing Diane Lewis, Just Bros, walter & Admirations. Mr Whitmore playing underplayed & Unknown crossover and turing many a head in the process. Everyone playing a combination of 60's 70's and 80's soul with the desire to push the boundaries.
But even back then, the vast majority of people who "cried out" for this type of policy at a venue never came, instead opting for an oldies doo that was nearer to the manchester ritz or whatever bank holiday nighter was on.
Personally we had good times there so no complaints on numbers, but what people say they want and what they actually want are usually 2 different things..