Been a lot of talk about the 80's being a low point on the northern scene and last week a comment of "during the eighties when the scene was on it's knees" was posted and I thought that was a bit OTT.

I got into Northern 1982/83 and there seemed to be a fair choice of venues that were reasonably well attended. During the early/mid and late eighties we went to, 100 Club, Leighton Buzzard, St Ives, Peterborough, Loughborough, Leicester and Stafford amongst others.

I appreciate although the eighties were by no means a high point of the scene's history compared with the seventies heyday or the early ninetees resurgence. However all the talk that northern soul all but died out during the eighties, is I think an inaccurate overstatement and is unfair on the promoters of the venues of that time.

I'm sure there are other eighties venue's I have missed that we didn't go to. Not sure whether this 'eighties was dead' feeling is a general consensus, or were there folk that went out, danced and like me had a good time back then?

I did a thread a few years ago titled ( what were your Golden Years of NS)  everybody as there own personal opinion depending on what they were doing at that particular time or years, their health youth enthusiasm etc etc, my own favourite Years were 1986 till 1996 , Most people on the scene had matured , loved the stronger tunes that were coming through at the time,  a lot of the lightweights on the scene had fallen away, Those left still had the energy and enough vitality to make it a very special time , The Nighters still had that edge that made it unique, I’m not decrying the early 1980, s because it’s from that. For me  that NS it it’s peak and sorted the wheat from the chaff, It’s today that disappoints me , it’s become watered down , fragmented , pretentious  and completely lost its edge, in fact a butter knife has more edge than NS night or nighter these days,  In answer to the question it depends entirely on where you were and what you were doing in the 1980,s

God Bless

ML

On 16/06/2013 at 21:26, Peter99 said:

 

The only fight I've ever seen inside a do was at Notts Palais - it was probably you then Mr Moore!  

Bit of a long shot I know - the ruck I saw was probably 1980, give or take a few years after! It was a long time ago.

 

Peter

 

I remember a fight at the Old Vic, would have been late 87, bit of punch up, but the bouncers were on it straight away.

23 hours ago, Paul-s said:

It was full of nighters and nights in the 80's. The wheat and chaff tourists had gone and it was down to a dedicated group of soulies to keep it going: and GO it did.

In addition to the ones you mention, I remember Warrington, Rotherham, KGB, Cleethorpes, Bradford, Blackburn, Morecambe,  and loads of nights like the Tracky in Barnsley. It was a great period as far as I experienced.

Went a bit dark and quiet after 'Operation Crossbow' (I think that was its name), but bounced back.

It was only a low point for those who weren’t there and don’t have a clue what they are talking about

31 minutes ago, Chalky said:

It was only a low point for those who weren’t there and don’t have a clue what they are talking about

The 80's were my best time at going to venues - the music was better. I loved it, best days and nights of my life. 

Peter

I only started going to nighters, soul nights in January 1979 so only have 2 years on the scene before the eighties kicked in.

And yes I did go to the casino until it's demise and the farce that became its final night.

What I do remember of the eighties scene, was that I attended so many great alnighters all over the country, most have been mentioned by others already.

Because I only started going in 79 I still had so many great oldies to hear.

It was a great period for quality 60s newies and of course the start of what became modern soul and later crossover.

The scene still had an abundance of crazy characters, some of whom I got to know and love and be terrified of in equal measures.

Oh yeah and the gear was still great too, what's not to like.

Very happy times.

Rob

peterborough (various) , Stafford, Clifton hall, Alfreton, Hinckley, Loughboro,  Oddfellows.....  the early 80's were a whirlwind of venues. ive forgotten more than i remember.  some great nights.    especially places like oddfellows, that had one room , playing everything,  from wheel oldies, to present day releases .  superb memories!

I don't think anyone has mentioned the nighters held in Bedford at The Nitespot , and old cinema converted into a theatre / disco. 

From memory I think it was early eighties or possibly very late seventies.

Remember Soul Sam making a big statement one night during his spot that it was one of the best nighters in the country at the time.

I could have imagined that but I seem to recall it somehow.

2 hours ago, Ian Parker said:

peterborough (various) , Stafford, Clifton hall, Alfreton, Hinckley, Loughboro,  Oddfellows.....  the early 80's were a whirlwind of venues. ive forgotten more than i remember.  some great nights.    especially places like oddfellows, that had one room , playing everything,  from wheel oldies, to present day releases .  superb memories!

Occasionally Oddfellows had two rooms. 

Peter

11 hours ago, Peter99 said:

Occasionally Oddfellows had two rooms. 

Peter

i missed those.   only remember the main ballroom.  bodies and bags everywhere

5 hours ago, Ian Parker said:

i missed those.   only remember the main ballroom.  bodies and bags everywhere

It wasn't a regular thing - mainly Adam and Robin Salter playing in the small room downstairs.