Whitby Soul Weekendersold Out

Our third time at this event and the best so far. In addition to the organisers and jocks a special word of thanks to those responsible for the technical side of things, as the sound quality seems to get better and better. The market place in particular was very successful despite its obvious acoustic limitations. And the development of the Sunday evening programme seems to continue, with a fun session in the market place running all the way to close alongside the main room. 

Highlights included the Sunday afternoon Cleethorpes session, Phil Kingswood's modern selections, Sam Evans' ability to be everywhere at once when not spinning tunes (and maybe even then), Sunday evening in both rooms, and Spyder Turner's fantastic Sunday evening performance. Whatever age he is today his voice is in mint condition, and his impressions of other soul singers were icing on the cake - although he wisely didn't stay too long on Chuck Jackson...

Special hats off to Soul Sam for covering all the rooms with boundless enthusiasm and almost equally boundless range of tunes. His funk session on Saturday night in the market place was a blast. 

Constructive criticism corner: the "modern soul classics" concept is at risk of turning into a format for recycling the same thirty 70s tracks. It was disappointing to hear so much of Friday's playlist almost track for track again on Saturday. By definition "modern" should have a larger playlist than northern and yet we heard more "new" tunes upstairs than down. But with both upstairs venues playing such good stuff it wasn't such a problem.

The whole of Whitby seemed to be full of soul people and events running alongside the Pavilion action, which just makes the whole event even more special. As a venue it is hard to beat and it's easy to combine with a longer stay or just to take a breather during the event with a walk along the pier, a climb up to the abbey or some feasting on Botham's cakes.

Tickets and accommodation are already reserved for next year. 

A fantastic weekend of soul music has been ingested once again this year at the Rifle club in Whitby Dj's playing brilliant sets

old faces and new we're in awe at some of the records played a big thanks to all involvedannion, Little Av and Guests. and the Gary Smith, Pat Bleasdale, Geordie Johnson, Steve Mannion, Little Av and Chris Dalton sorry if I have missed anyone

Top Friday & Saturday nights at a lovely venue with lovely people

sorry to Chris Dalton for a 2 hour ear bending about records??

Atb Andy

The months in adv. sellout said it all and then delivered expectations in bucket loads and more. Djs at the top of their game  providing a wide range of tunes covering the broadest 'northern ' and soul genres - something and more for everybody. This Weekender is always rather special and having been to everyone since 2003, continues to evolve, hence its deserved success, popularity and longevity. 

Great to see so many of the returning regulars plus the newer informed generation and a fresh face or three behind the decks incl. Caverley Soul Club making their debut.

So many highlights but would be remiss of me not to mention some the sets I caught - Steve Mannion,    Sean Tasker,  Little Av and Pat Bleasdale in the rarer soul & x- over peripheral venue, The Rifle Club (curated by Gary Smith). Pat's funky c/u of Marvin's 'what's going on' - for me the tune of the weekend closely followed by Sapphire 'thank you' - part of a great set in the 'Market Place' from Andy Baskett. Whilst still in the 'Market Place' the captivating variety from the record decks was typified by sucessive sets from host (along with John Hearnley) Julie H (7ts/8ts), 'Dekka' (6ts British Beat & 5ts/6ts RnB), then Soul Sam pushing the boundaries in his own unique style !

 Elsewhere in the 'Market Place', plenty of happy record dealers, merchandisers,  buyers and banter. 

Northern floor fillers (Djs Kev Roberts, Ginger Taylor, Sean Chapman, Dave Evison, John Poole etc - plus the Cleethorpes memories special with Soul Sam and Chris Dalton double decking)  in the main ballroom, 'modern' downstairs and the rarer Northern  & RnB in the other peripheral venue, the Met Ballroom (curated by Terry Finn) where I caught the impressive Dick Krop 'Northern rarities' session. 

Slight niggles for some with the traditional bar queues addressed by additional bottle bar in the ballroom and an almost empty Theatre Bar leading off the corridor from the 'Market Place'. 

The sun shone and reflected the mood of an excellent Weekender.  Wider in Whitby, the local economy certainly goes up numerous notches, using the occasion to successfully piggyback on the Pavilion event with 1000s  descending on this wonderful town, soaking up the other soul events, hospitality and associated merchandising which miraculously have sprung up almost everywhere, some blatantly opportunist and good luck to them, another laudably for charity.