2011-03-10: The Prestatyn Weekender - March 10th - 14th 2011

A highlight of the upcoming Prestayn Weekender thread, not just who's going but full of artist news, articles info and history on the various rooms/clubs/nighters etc

Here's Andy Dyson words on Lifeline Allnighters who are let loose on the Friday night in arena 2

LIFELINE - 70's SPECIAL ALL-NITER @ PRESTATYN - Friday Night - ARENA 2

During the turn of the millennium the Northern Soul scene's ability to survive and thrive in a period of general instability nationwide is unquestionable and testament to it's versatility! Although the very grass roots of traditionalism remains deeply ingrained musically and socially, the scene has never seen such diversity - northern, R&B, modern all neatly engraved on the soul scene's milestone. We have over forty years worth of fabulous black music to choose from, so much so that the three main categories are partitioned into countless sub styles - all with their own varying levels of success. The upfront/cutting edge style, I firmly believe to be the most difficult of them all to work, stabilize and maintain with any kind of longevity. Many scenarios' manipulate and govern the amount of bodies through any venue door, the current financial climate, average age of punter etc. Not to mention in Lifeline's case in particular the high level of quality music expected at every single all-nighter with very little, if not any room for compromise. These hurdles of course are only cleared due to the unique entertainment package that Lifeline provides.

Towards the end of the 90's and certainly early 2000,the upfront side of our scene really was in the worst shape that I could remember - A million and one soul nights and maybe a few less all-nighters, predominantly playing the standard oldies playlists. It's fair to say that even the so-called forward thinking venues really were just going through the proverbial motions. Everyone that I spoke to certainly felt the same way, but nothing was being done to sort the situation - for the increasing numbers of despondent souls. I'd mentioned to Mick H during one of his events at the Union Club (Nottingham) about teaming up and giving an all-nighter a go, Mick was up for it. So the foundations were laid, a blinder of a venue found and a crack team of residents booked.

The year was 2004 and what can only be described as one of the ultimate all-nighter venues of all time, Sheridan's, Ravensthorpe near Dewsbury...down home, dirty and dingy and run by Chris and Rodz a great couple who ran the venue for soul promotions only...Now that makes a change! The month was February and a virtual lockout for the first event, over 300 people turned out and everyone had a whale of a time - the promotion name Lifeline did exactly what it said on the tin and then some!

The resident team has stayed consistent to the present day in the form of Butch, Soul Sam, Andy Dyson, Mick H, Cliff Steele, Chalky and more recently Rob Smith also many guests who are all at the top of their game including - Tim (Tiny Tail) Brown, Kitch, Dean Anderson, Dave Thorley, Alex Jones, Ady Pountain, Andy Whitmore, Dave Welding, Marco, Arthur Fenn and many more. As well as the seasoned and experienced guys the early hours are allocated to up and coming dj's and some long term hoarders of vinyl, namely Nick Stevenson (Lifeline's first ever DJ), G. Mahood, Killa, Kev Murphy, Kev Featherstone, Dawn Carmen, Nicola Anderson, Marc Forrest - the list goes on!

The road has definitely been a rocky one, when Sheridan's closed its doors Lifeline became the Romany's of the scene. The Fox at Colsterworth, a decent venue off the A1 motorway, but happen it was better suited to the swinging and wife swap nights that were hosted there. Rumour has it Tim Brown was a regular there on his way to various natural history museums... Next venue was to be Ye Olde Bell at Barnby Moor, rather a splendid building steeped in history. We had some great times there including a couple of weekenders 2006 and 2007 that people still talk about today. The powers that be decided on a multi million pound refit and that's when we had to leave, the management never did quite take to staying up all night especially when was Mick H DJ'ing!

This very nearly was the end of the road for Lifeline, we had no venue and nowhere to go, Chris Waterman kindly got us the Stables - junction 11 club which has been the real making of Lifeline. The club boasts a fabulous dance floor, balcony and all-night bar and in our opinion the best 60's, 70's and 80's upfront black music policy on the planet!

We run bi-monthly and get 250 to 300 in at every one; if you fancy a safe and friendly night out we'll see you there.

Friday night promises to be a quality night of music in the modern room, I can't wait to hear Jesse James perform live then the Lifeline team will prove it's versatility with our very own brand of quality 70's upfront soul with I dare say some classics from the genre to complete the nights entertainment.

See you all in there.

Andy Dyson.