Thames Valley Soul Club - High Wycombe

First off, I’ve got to come clean that I was playing here last night. Hopefully I can give an unbiased view as a punter, who has attended most clubs in the local area for many years.

The venue itself is great. Just off the M40 and a short walk from the train station. It’s by the main Swan theatre, so it’s well signposted. There’s a small car park on site (£2 for the evening) and a larger multi storey 30 seconds away. The event is held upstairs. Once through the doors, there is a sizeable bar to the left, with a decent bar area. The bar staff worked hard all night and kept waiting times down. All of this is away from the dance floor, so you can dance or drink without impacting anyone doing the other. Prices were ok - less than £5 a pint. (For anyone unfamiliar with drink prices in the south-east, we consider this reasonable).

The dance floor has tables and chairs alongside it and at one end. At the far end is a raised stage, with the decks and speakers. The sound system was decent - not too loud that conversation was impossible, and it held up well throughout the evening. The dance floor is a decent size, would have benefitted from being polished (something to consider for future events).

As it was the opening night, of hopefully many, we had no idea of what the crowd would want. By the end of the night this was very apparent. It’s a “Top 500” event, with no OVO policy. (Two DJs did play OVO). If you are into rare/underplayed, this probably won’t be for you. If you want a night out dancing away to sounds you know, get yourself down here. About 150 were in attendance (from as far afield as Bournemouth - bless you, Anna and friends 🥰), and the dance floor was busy from 8 pm until closing at midnight. Please believe me - this is very, very unusual for our local area (where the unwritten, but strictly adhered to Golden rule is “Thou shalt no go anywhere near the dance floor until 9pm”).

Special mention to Pete Longden for a) getting such a superb night arranged and so well promoted b) playing out for the first time, delivering such a well-received set (and helping break that Golden rule).

Already looking forward to June 27th, when I can enjoy just being a dancer.