Mark Freemans Wigan Casino Oldies Allnighter

Mark & Kim always put on a good night, however this was exceptional. Tired and jaded from a week with the lurgy and a late finish at work, I laced up my brogues somewhat wearily and headed for the Co-Op, hoping to make it to the end of Brian Rae's set at 2am. Sadly I missed the opening set, but Rob Gray had the floor busy with some monster plays as soon as I arrived and it just kept going without any let up. Ally Mayer, Mark Freeman, Mick Taylor, Brian Rae, Ian Wills, Daz Dakin & Ethan Howarth just kept piling on the agony for the dancers' legs with Mark Freeman returning to the decks to bring a brilliant night to a reluctant conclusion with the three before eight at 6am. It was a night of sheer indulgence - tunes so heavily popularised back in the day that they rarely get a spin now were played in all their glory together with current floor fillers that had their debut on the decks at Wigan and those that slipped from the limelight but not people's memories. If it's ever repeated (and it should be, but not often) then get yourself to Nuneaton Co-Op and prepare to have a bloody good time. I'd give it 6 stars if I could!!!

I kick started the night,. With Viola Wills - Run to the nearest exit,. Then finished my spot with Bunny Sigler's - follow your heart.   Two records at different ends of the 'Wigan' spectrum. 

 Larry  Houston, Gerri Thomas, Ben Zine, I spun those and others too.  Folk were up and at em pretty much from the off,. By the end of my spot, the place was really quite busy. 

  It was Wigan memories all the way,.rob gray followed me with some stonkers, then mick Taylor played more stonkers!

all in all, a superb night, most of which I spent just listening to records that were the start of my journey, 40 years ago. 

Ally Mayer did it for me..... Billy Purcell, Heartbeat 🎶🎶😳😳👍👍,. Blimey that took me back 

when's the next one? 

Possibly the best night ever at the co-op, Brian Rae`s set was one of the best oldies/classics dance sets in recent times.

I sat out two records in this set ....And I am close on 60 now  so that tells me something about how good this was or.... how daft I am !

Only 2 words I think come anywhere near what I felt on Friday -   ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT!!!

It will in my humble opinion go down as one of the years best.  For me it was the best with the feelings of Station Road wafting over me all nite.

Well Done Mark - BRILLIANT.