Kings Hall Stoke All Nighter Richard Searling Farewell Ap

Fantastic night, arrived after midnight due to not wanting to miss Steppin' Up in Selly Oak, Birmingham first, featuring three of my favourite DJ's so arrived just in time for Richard Searling. 

Breathtaking atmosphere, Kings Hall is a huge, beautiful neo-classical building and to see it so packed is such a joy. It was totally heaving so much so that there was little space on the dancefloor for the first couple of hours, it emptied out a bit later which was welcome. Great sets all round, Richard's is on the BBC, spent most of the early part of the night night in the main room but great to have the second one there for variety. Jordan Wilson did the business in there later on.

Drawbacks - with so many people the floor did get a bit sticky and wet in places but it's big enough that you can move around; the bar is expensive by the standards of most soul do's but not out of the ball park for a place like this, but even taking that into account this was as perfect an all-nighter as you'll get anywhere in the world at the moment. 

Biggest surprise of the night - tall Andrew from Birmingham, acclaimed dancer and tattoo collector showed me his latest inking - it's the most hardcore Northern Soul tattoo I have ever seen, I can't go into to much detail here but suffice it to say he is a dedicated die-hard individualistic soulie, I would bet any amount of money that no one else on this planet has a tattoo like that. I would have drawn it but I'm still catching my breath!

Did draw Richard Searling and Jordan Wilson, it was actually too packed to draw the dancefloor and that's saying something!!

I rarely give 5 stars - I've noticed that often reviews are by people connected with the event who inevitably give 5 stars to everything. I am trying to be objective.

WOW - Just like Stoke used to be.

Packed and Buzzing.

The atmosphere was amazing.

Well done Richard and Colleagues 

See you in Blackpool 

Paul and Diane

Really enjoyed it last night. I dont get out to many soul nights/nighters anymore so really look forward to any i get to. Been to stoke many a time over the 20 odd years its been going and last night was like it was as i remember in the early days, packed, hot and sweaty. Great to hear Richard Searlings last nighter spot and colin curtis lifted the roof off.  The smaller room was like a sauna with music to match. A top night, cheers