Without Boundaries 25th Anniversary Xmas Revival Night
Burton Upon Trent Sun 28 Dec 2025

Without Boundaries started off 25 years ago in the tiny village of Kings Newton in Derbyshire @ The Hardinge Arms on Boxing Day December 26th 2000 – where we resided monthly for eigtheen months before losing the venue to a housing complex believe it or not !! – who will ever forget that night when over 300 of you packed into the place to see Shabazz perform live for the first time in the UK in support of his brilliant new album ‘Better Day’. Other live acts performing along the way included – Vanessa Haynes, Donna Gardier, Elisha Laverne, Nu Life, Siani, Gary Des-Etages and Headquarters. 

The sadly departed and regular attendee Dean Johnson in his Blues & Soul column called it the best ‘Modern Soul’ night in the Country at the time – high praise indeed considering some of the stiff competition from other venues !!

Hardinge Arms – All Time Top 10 Classics –

1. Kenny Thomas – Crazy World (Unreleased CDR)

2. Angie Stone – Wish I Didn’t Miss You – 12″

3. Melvin Moore – All Of A Sudden – 7″

4. Byron Stingily – Don’t Stop – 12″

5. Temptations – Stay – 12″

6. Luther Vandross – See Me – LP Vinyl

7. Leroy Hutson – All Because Of You – LP Vinyl

8. Jaheim – Just In Case – 12″

9. Adeva – You’ve Got The Best Of My Love – 12″

10. Romina Johnson – Never Do – 12″

At that point we re-located to the Bass Museum in Burton Upon Trent – the original piss up in a brewery (and yes we could organise one before anyone asks !!) – the walk in to the venue was quite spectacular, as you had to snake through the breweries ‘Museum’ to get into the room. Originally just in the one room playing all eras soul from 70’s to the newest tunes of the day (and there were plenty to get a first airing there !!), we later opened up the gig to a two room affair – playing 70’s connoisseurs cuts and rarities in one and 80’s & 90’s classics + all the new soul and soulful house of the day in the other.  Summertime brought the ‘Summer Ball’ events in the big Marquee in addition to the 2 roomers on each Bank Holiday Sunday + the occasional Saturday night thrown in for good measure – where we stayed until finally calling it a day @ Xmas in 2007 – the final night was naturally an emotional affair and very very busy !!

Bass Museum – All Time Top 10 Classics –

1. Hardsoul feat. Ron Carroll – Back Together – 12″

2. O’Jays – Put Our Heads Together – LP Vinyl

3. Marvin Gaye – Where Are We Going – CD Album

4. Urban Blues Project feat. Michael Procter – Love Don’t Live – 12″

5. Glenn Jones – Keep On Doin’ – 12″

6. Shazz – Innerside – 12″

7. MAW feat. India – Backfired (Joey Negro Remix) – 12″

8. Ron Hall & The Muthafunkaz  – The Way You Love Me – 12″

9. Michael Wycoff – Looking Up To You – 12″

10. Wahoo – Don’t Take It Personal – 12″

Dj’s to perform over the years included – Adam, Chris Anderton, Cleveland Anderson, Butch, Bigger, Colin Brown, Geoff Bingham, Steve Connor, Colin Curtis, Bob Cosby, Mike Charlton, Gareth Donovan, Gary Dennis, Tee Davies, Andy Davies, Arthur Fenn, Fish, Brian Flanders, Mick Farrer, Mark Grice, Steve Guarnori, Brian Goucher, Niki Golding, Steve Hobbs, Mark Houghton, Jim Hargreaves (RIP), Steve Jackson (RIP), Dean Johnson (RIP), Terry Jones, Ivor Jones, Jonathan, Bob Jones, Barry Maleady, Gavin Page, Paul Phillips, Dave Ripolles, Mark Randle, Neil Rushton, Mike Stephens, Cliff Steele, Soul Sam, Snowboy, Rick Scott, Paul Sutton, Mark Simpson, Jamie Taylor, Andy ‘Tats’ Taylor & Roger Williams (if I’ve forgotten anyone – I do apologise the memories not all that it was !!)

As the saying goes… – if I’d had a pound though for everyone that had asked for a re-union event since that day – then I might have retired a long long time ago !! – the answer however for 18 years was always a resounding NO – anyway fast forward to 2025 – and the more and more I thought about it, it just seemed the right time – so 25 years on since it’s inception here we are with the original dj team ‘back together again’ albeit a little bit older and wiser (the latter up for debate perhaps !!)

Things weren’t quite that straight forward though – the intention was to go back to the ‘Bass’  – but that wasn’t possible as Coors Brewers the current owners had decided to close the complex, and despite still owning the land – the venue was being bailed out by them to the tune of around £1,000,000 a year, having never really recovered economically after Covid and shut it doors back in 2022.

So the search was on for a new venue in the area – it had to be just right though to do the event justice, or it wasn’t going to happen. Thankfully we’ve found that place – you know when you step into a space and you get that instant buzz – well that’s exactly the feeling I got walking into THE PAVILLION @ BRANSTON GOLF & COUNTRY CLUB – so there you have it – a brief potted history of how we ended up where we are today !! – the venue is sensational – you’re going to love it – that I promise you and the music will be even better !! – (see the flyer for full details)

Hope to see you all on Sunday 28/12/25 for a new chapter.

FISH

EVENT INFO & ACCOMMODATION – Dotting the ‘i’s and crossing the ‘t’s

Advance Tickets – available now from – www.firstexperiencerecords.com and click on the ‘Event Tickets’ tab.

Facilities – the complex has a large range of facilities if you’re getting there early – including a championship 18 hole golf course (9 holes also available), driving range, crazy golf and padel tennis.

All the above are available to non members. The golf course gets very busy though on a Sunday – so for the golfers amongst you – if you fancy a round on the day – pre-booking is essential – www.branstonclub.co.uk

Parking – very large area right in front of the Pavillion.

The Venue Bar – is card payment only.

Food – basket meals will be available from the bar throughout the event.

Accommodation – there are several excellent hotels close by – these include –

Holiday Inn Express –  Burton On Trent – 2 miles from the venue.

Premier Inn – Burton On Trent Central Hotel – 2 miles from the venue.

Riverside Hotel – Branston, Burton On Trent (lovely setting on the river – boutique style hotel) – 1 mile away from the venue.

At this point in time – you can book both the Holiday Inn or Premier Inn for around £50.00 a night for the 28/12/25 – these prices will obviously increase as the date gets nearer – so if you are thinking of staying over – then early booking is highly recommended to get these fantastic rates !!