Just been looking at the events page at what is on tonight there is a do 10 min walk from my house on tonight and I just cant be arsed with it. I feel very disillusioned with the scene at present does anybody else feel the same ? There seems to be way to many nights on  and not enough quality. I dont want this thread to end in another ovo debate I feel it will get worse next year when this new northern film comes out.

Edited September 20, 201312 yr by Guest

Get yourself out for a few pints mate and cheer up !!!

Get yourself out for a few pints mate and cheer up !!!

 

 

I'm happy with in myself mate just the soul scene sometimes could do with some venues winding up and it been given a rest

too many retro,s about and not enough new quality sounds

Edited September 20, 201312 yr by chrislokeh

I don't even go to venues - haven't been for years, until recently - and I can see clearly there are far, far, far too many venues - every Tom, Dick and Harry is a DJ - too many places just playing to too small crowds - low quality and generic - playing bootlegs - not the authenticity and exclusivity that I find attractive about rare Northern soul.

 

Tin hat now firmly in place 

 

Richard

With the odd exception, I've long since given up on the scene..... there REALLY are only so many times you can listen to Moses Smith.

Just been looking at the events page at what is on tonight there is a do 10 min walk from my house on tonight and I just cant be arsed with it. I feel very disillusioned with the scene at present does anybody else feel the same ? There seems to be way to many nights on  and not enough quality. I dont want this thread to end in another ovo debate I feel it will get worse next year when this new northern film comes out.

Edited September 20, 201312 yr by Patto

Just been looking at the events page at what is on tonight there is a do 10 min walk from my house on tonight and I just cant be arsed with it. I feel very disillusioned with the scene at present does anybody else feel the same ? There seems to be way to many nights on  and not enough quality. I dont want this thread to end in another ovo debate I feel it will get worse next year when this new northern film comes out.

 

Over the years i have been in the same position several times.Sometimes a break of a few months can work wonders. Then you go back to a new venue or an old familiar one and have a great night and the Mojo comes flooding back.Me and the Mrs not in top health at the moment and our nights out have been few and far between this year so i'm dying to get back out when i get fit. The scene has survived many influxes of tourists and it will recover.Its realy in the hands of the younger element like yourself to stand up and direct things the way you want it and not let it turn into a tragic teddy boy style car crash

not let it turn into a tragic teddy boy style car crash

 

This comes up a lot - and what are we going to do about it I wonder - where did the Teds go wrong 

This comes up a lot - and what are we going to do about it I wonder - where did the Teds go wrong 

 

Tight trousers?

 

 - Kev

i been out and about,for last 40 years,plus,allways enjoy, billy

I don't even go to venues - haven't been for years, until recently - and I can see clearly there are far, far, far too many venues - every Tom, Dick and Harry is a DJ - too many places just playing to too small crowds - low quality and generic - playing bootlegs - not the authenticity and exclusivity that I find attractive about rare Northern soul.

 

Tin hat now firmly in place 

 

Richard

Had the option of going out tonight but nothing too inspiring to tempt me ...but Tom Dick and Harry can do a brilliant job if they use their imagintion !!I think you have to choose the venue where you will hear the tunes you want to .......They are out there but may take more than ten minutes of walking.

i been out and about,for last 40 years,plus,allways enjoy, billy

 

fantastic post 

I felt the same about 2 years ago but had lots going on in home life, kids getting married, me mum passing, ill myself etc but still tried to get out it didn't work only found it more depressing when i did  Still love ta listen to me sounds      

Tight trousers?

 

 - Kev

 

That is a truly inspired answer sir! 

Just been looking at the events page at what is on tonight there is a do 10 min walk from my house on tonight and I just cant be arsed with it. I feel very disillusioned with the scene at present does anybody else feel the same ? There seems to be way to many nights on  and not enough quality. I dont want this thread to end in another ovo debate I feel it will get worse next year when this new northern film comes out.

Absolutely. Was at 'no way out' last week with callum and soggy playing amazing stuff but very low attenance, was pretty disgraceful imo, and the night is finishing (the last one being 16th novemeber) Its a real mystery why, in the middle of a big city in a small country, people dont go to the good do's but part of it is very likely to be that the audience is the same size as ever but now split over hundreds of small do's.

The overall effect is saturation, which is the same argument I have against vinyl reissues, even great things cease to be special if they're everywhere you look, even if in inferior form.

With current conditions of high prices, over population and the allure of the relative ease and security of a virtual social life on My Face or whatever, I guess it's to be expected.

Everyone on any scene is now a dj too, or wanting to run a night, fine tuned to their exact taste...the conclusion to this trajectory is for everyone to stay at home djing to themselves, with £1000000s in combined record value.

Not the spirit this music was made in I dont think.

The problem is not too many events.

The real problem is that there are not enough punters to go round & also the dilution & fragmentation of the scene by the powers that be who continue to milk every last penny out of our scene while they still can.

fantastic post 

It is, but some people enjoy going to the local pub every week, or just staying in. Good for them, good for the local pubs, everyone's happy right?

Well no not really, it is important to have exciting underground music scenes and for this music to survive in a dignified way that it deserves.

It is, but some people enjoy going to the local pub every week, or just staying in. Good for them, good for the local pubs, everyone's happy right?

Well no not really, it is important to have exciting underground music scenes and for this music to survive in a dignified way that it deserves.

 

..............if you say so 

It is, but some people enjoy going to the local pub every week, or just staying in. Good for them, good for the local pubs, everyone's happy right?

Well no not really, it is important to have exciting underground music scenes and for this music to survive in a dignified way that it deserves.

 

Now that is a fantastic post

Get real its over

Absolutely. Was at 'no way out' last week with callum and soggy playing amazing stuff but very low attenance, was pretty disgraceful imo, and the night is finishing (the last one being 16th novemeber) Its a real mystery why, in the middle of a big city in a small country, people dont go to the good do's but part of it is very likely to be that the audience is the same size as ever but now split over hundreds of small do's.

The overall effect is saturation, which is the same argument I have against vinyl reissues, even great things cease to be special if they're everywhere you look, even if in inferior form.

With current conditions of high prices, over population and the allure of the relative ease and security of a virtual social life on My Face or whatever, I guess it's to be expected.

Everyone on any scene is now a dj too, or wanting to run a night, fine tuned to their exact taste...the conclusion to this trajectory is for everyone to stay at home djing to themselves, with £1000000s in combined record value.

Not the spirit this music was made in I dont think.

 

A PRETTY FAIR ASSESMENT IMHO.

 

ROY

fantastic post 

really, thanks mr back street blue

The problem is not too many events.

The real problem is that there are not enough punters to go round & also the dilution & fragmentation of the scene by the powers that be who continue to milk every last penny out of our scene while they still can.

 

HI CUNNIE,

 

You have been around long enough to realise that the number of events has grown to stupid levels compared to say five years ago!.

Add to this the decreasing numbers of punters pro rata for the number of events on and hey presto....half empty venues.

 

Agree regarding the people that want to squeeze every last penny from the scene and the quality of their events is going downhill rapidly.

 

ROY

You're all missing the point..........there's no more new, quality sixties tunes to be discovered. And we are all too old. Everything has a life span. All you are doing is giving the kiss of life to something that is already deceased. Just like the Teds did.

You're all missing the point..........there's no more new, quality sixties tunes to be discovered. And we are all too old. Everything has a life span. All you are doing is giving the kiss of life to something that is already deceased. Just like the Teds did.

 

Don't realy agree with this. There are literally thousands of great records out there that are either not well known ,unerplayed, or just plain forgotten.A lot of these records are as good and in most cases better than the worn out oldies played week in week out.Just look at the old Stafford, Clfton Hall, and other 80s venue playlists teaming with quality tunes that most punters have never heard played out.The trick is to get the punters into a mind set that accepts and dances to these records, If not the whole thing stagnates in such a way that we are seeing now.

 

 

Would like to hear this at regular soul night instead of the top 500 etc

Edited September 21, 201312 yr by Guest

You're all missing the point..........there's no more new, quality sixties tunes to be discovered. And we are all too old. Everything has a life span. All you are doing is giving the kiss of life to something that is already deceased. Just like the Teds did.

Amen

Just been looking at the events page at what is on tonight there is a do 10 min walk from my house on tonight and I just cant be arsed with it. I feel very disillusioned with the scene at present does anybody else feel the same ? There seems to be way to many nights on  and not enough quality. I dont want this thread to end in another ovo debate I feel it will get worse next year when this new northern film comes out.

If  this is the case why not just stay in & use the time to go online & discover a load of "fresh" tunes you will never hear played out at the average event.  With the money you've saved on admission fees, drinks etc you can then buy some of these "new" tunes that you've discovered.  The break from attending events may well relight your fire but the worst case scenario at least you'll have added to your record collection.

Over the years i have been in the same position several times.Sometimes a break of a few months can work wonders. Then you go back to a new venue or an old familiar one and have a great night and the Mojo comes flooding back.Me and the Mrs not in top health at the moment and our nights out have been few and far between this year so i'm dying to get back out when i get fit. The scene has survived many influxes of tourists and it will recover.Its realy in the hands of the younger element like yourself to stand up and direct things the way you want it and not let it turn into a tragic teddy boy style car crash

 

 

 

Such a great Label, and the groups names are allays cool an all... this top 500 business, I never understood it personally, if a tracks good, its good, I have no problem in hearing real big oldies, I love most of them, and stuff like this, i like that too....No where is ever going to play the stuff you have collected at home, so i never expect to hear those tracks, if I do hear one, its a bonus...

 

As for going out, I dont go much these days, But we enjoy places when me and Liza can get out, 100 Club tonight, to be honest we always go for a nice meal before hand, and if the local shops are open we'll do some cloth shopping, so its not just about the niter, its a night away from the kids, and we get let loose on Oxford street, Wardour street and that area at night, and thats a night out for us as well....!!!

 

If your feeling the pinch of 'Do's' just lay off em for a bit, just do one every 3 months say, it will come back...

 

Mal.c

 

Came across this play list on-line last night, from solar radio...  I know 6/7 of them but loads of new stuff there.. there is always quality out there when you least expect it..

 

https://www.raregroovesmodernsoul.com/2011/06/rgms-21st-june-2011/

Edited September 21, 201312 yr by Mal.C.

It is, but some people enjoy going to the local pub every week, or just staying in. Good for them, good for the local pubs, everyone's happy right?

Well no not really, it is important to have exciting underground music scenes and for this music to survive in a dignified way that it deserves.

Absolutely right, but it lost it's underground status years ago right? dignity

    . 

 

Has just come to my attention that another event is starting up locally to me. Lets make some banners and march down our high streets chanting  enough is enough. Stop dilluting the scene, you're killing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

Utter rubbish, people will go where they want to. If they would rather walk to the end of their street to a pub or travel innumerous miles to get specifically what they want then thats their lot. Go out if you want to or not, its no good moaning at inordinate lengths on a public forum about the amount of events running, it isnt going to change anything.

A venue must cater for what people want, whatever that may be. If its offered then people will attend, if not then they wont.

Me Im off to St Ives tonight, WHY?  Because I want to.  And there in lies the answer!!!!!!!!

 

 

Regards

 

Kev

Edited September 21, 201312 yr by kev such

This 'scene' has been 'dead' for donkey's years and dies again periodically in some people's eyes; depends what you want out of it I guess and its fair to say that those who appear to want what I do are in a minority and have been for quite some time. Hey ho, if people sat on their arses and did nothing when Wigan closed its doors half the people on here wouldn't ever have got involved at all, myself included.

 

The days of loads of quality new discoveries being played to buzzin rooms loaded with right up-for-it obsessives have gone for good, as have the days of a handful of major nighters scattered around the country acting as a focal point for what you might (or might not) call the 'hardcore' i.e. those looking for something beyong retro kitsch. That's sad for sure, in my eyes anyway, and I'd absolutely love it to be different but various things - age, economics, access to records / knowledge, egos i.e. everyone's a dj, saturation, watering things down, grabbing what you can, its all about me and all the other stuff that's been mentioned already - dictate that that's the way it is and, in my view, the way its gonna stay. (If you think it through and look at the things which underpinned and drove it, along with the passage and ravages of time lol,  that was always gonna struggle in the world we live in now wasn't it?)

 

Personally, I'd kill for another early - mid eighties but it ain't gonna happen again, ever. In the absence of that I'll settle for the odd night out with like minded people who want largely the same things i do out of it. Those people and places are fewer and farther between for sure but I'd like to think that as long as there's people left who genuinely care about it they'll find each other and make something worthwhile happen, they always have.

Just been looking at the events page at what is on tonight there is a do 10 min walk from my house on tonight and I just cant be arsed with it. I feel very disillusioned with the scene at present does anybody else feel the same ? There seems to be way to many nights on  and not enough quality. I dont want this thread to end in another ovo debate I feel it will get worse next year when this new northern film comes out.

know exactly what u mean mate

Don't realy agree with this. There are literally thousands of great records out there that are either not well known ,unerplayed, or just plain forgotten.A lot of these records are as good and in most cases better than the worn out oldies played week in week out.Just look at the old Stafford, Clfton Hall, and other 80s venue playlists teaming with quality tunes that most punters have never heard played out.The trick is to get the punters into a mind set that accepts and dances to these records, If not the whole thing stagnates in such a way that we are seeing no

 

 

too right ! 

 

 i went  to Newark Scooter Club do last saturday....  some of the music played in the Northern marquee was incrdible.. but sadly, these guys dont get a look in because of the incestious nature of  promoters.    it seriously stinks of 'you scratch my back' in a lot of areas

   Believe me,  without mentioning names, these lads would take the piss out of a lot of so called DJ's,not only with records, but mic technique and aura.... humble unassuming  guys that go about their daily business and enjoy weekends regardless.

 

 Me ? i go out when i fancy it,  more to life than the soul scene.  St Ives looks good, but a gig is calling tonight

 

 

 

Crikey , theres me thinking that this scene was bought up in the good times on it been an underground movement and that it only became shite when the bandwagon rounded into town . All those years I wasted just going to the pub on a weekend when I should have been walking down the street to listen to Joey 90 and Papa ow mow mow

This 'scene' has been 'dead' for donkey's years and dies again periodically in some people's eyes; depends what you want out of it I guess and its fair to say that those who appear to want what I do are in a minority and have been for quite some time. Hey ho, if people sat on their arses and did nothing when Wigan closed its doors half the people on here wouldn't ever have got involved at all, myself included.

 

The days of loads of quality new discoveries being played to buzzin rooms loaded with right up-for-it obsessives have gone for good, as have the days of a handful of major nighters scattered around the country acting as a focal point for what you might (or might not) call the 'hardcore' i.e. those looking for something beyong retro kitsch. That's sad for sure, in my eyes anyway, and I'd absolutely love it to be different but various things - age, economics, access to records / knowledge, egos i.e. everyone's a dj, saturation, watering things down, grabbing what you can, its all about me and all the other stuff that's been mentioned already - dictate that that's the way it is and, in my view, the way its gonna stay. (If you think it through and look at the things which underpinned and drove it, along with the passage and ravages of time lol,  that was always gonna struggle in the world we live in now wasn't it?)

 

Personally, I'd kill for another early - mid eighties but it ain't gonna happen again, ever. In the absence of that I'll settle for the odd night out with like minded people who want largely the same things i do out of it. Those people and places are fewer and farther between for sure but I'd like to think that as long as there's people left who genuinely care about it they'll find each other and make something worthwhile happen, they always have.

 

 

Sums things up perfectly!   

I've been djing/promoting on the black music scene since the early/mid 80's, all ends of it - and I like to think I know the score about what rings peoples bells.

 

I do a couple of monthlies in my hometown of Warrington.

 

I don't play bad music, yes, there's stuff that folk won't have heard but on the whole it's quite an uncomplicated night - as in, you'll know the majority of em.

 

Good time Soul.

 

But - it's a big deal if anyone related to this scene turns up at 'em - and very few do - and there's a lot of Soulies in my town.

 

And to be honest - I'm glad.

 

As it isn't all about making the night another anal passage , it's about me enjoying myself and getting the message across to people who aren't particularly 'Soulies' per se.

 

That may be the problem with some nights being under-attended, as making it 'this underground thing' counts a lot of people out.

 

Make it accessible.

Soulontop - genuine question.What's your age.? Try staying in,bottle of wine,get your tunes out,may get a better set played than some more local events.Reason? Cos they are your tunes that you have paid, for cos you love em.!!!

 

Regarding going out.Lost my mojo of late for one reason or another.I try to follow certain loose rules when going out though.

Who are the dj's,where's the venue,is it a shit hole.? Who's gonna be there,what's the music policy.? Does it make going to work the next day "awkward".....Being a local venue has no bearing for me....

There's plenty of records still around to float your boat..whether they get played "out" is another matter.....

Pick your venues wisely.Have to say as well,going out once or twice a month is my limit at the moment.

Edited September 21, 201312 yr by KevH

Soulontop - genuine question.What's your age.? Try staying in,bottle of wine,get your tunes out,may get a better set played than some more local events.Reason? Cos they are your tunes that you have paid, for cos you love em.!!!

 

Regarding going out.Lost my mojo of late for one reason or another.I try to follow certain loose rules when going out though.

Who are the dj's,where's the venue,is it a shit hole.? Who's gonna be there,what's the music policy.? Does it make going to work the next day "awkward".....Being a local venue has no bearing for me....

There's plenty of records still around to float your boat..whether they get played "out" is another matter.....

Pick your venues wisely.Have to say as well,going out once or twice a month is my limit at the moment.

 

 

That's it in a nutshell Kev. It doesn't matter if there are a hundred things on, if you pick a place you know your friends will be there, you'll hear good stuff and it's a decent venue you can't go wrong. We can afford to be choosey these days. I think that's a good thing to be honest.

Crikey , theres me thinking that this scene was bought up in the good times on it been an underground movement and that it only became shite when the bandwagon rounded into town . All those years I wasted just going to the pub on a weekend when I should have been walking down the street to listen to Joey 90 and Papa ow mow mow

 

Are those two records the sum total of the Northern Soul scene 75-85 then?

I think at this time the Northern soul scene is at a junction in the Uk. Lots of people out there wanting a good night and many willing to travel ect. Trouble is sometimes its the same old same old and a break is sometimes what's needed, as a dj having people come up and say its the best night ever and then never seeing them again is some thing we should all be aware of and never take things for granted. I have had soul do's on for many years and at times got dishearten due to poor turn outs etc, but you have to believe in yourself and what your doing as they will come back and it's up to me and the likes to make sure they enjoy the evening or night. Anyone who has been to my do's know me it's not about money it's about the music I love and to get fed up from time to time is ok in my book. But don't sell your records as you will end up paying 3 times the price to get them back. I shouldn't say this as I'm buying all the time off fed up people only to see the collecting months after. It's in the blood and always will be, get a grip and get off your arse down to the next one or if you fancy a change come and see The Casino Allstars another spin on Northern Soul www.casinoallstars.co.uk enough said Paul Kidd from the heart.

Edited September 21, 201312 yr by pk 22dj

Think yea selfs lucky wish, i had a do i could walk to. From day 1 it was always ard work ta  hear soul sounds but we made it.

Try gettin sum bugger to even travel to Stoke or Burton round me is hard so i gave up

A six finish prevents me from a lot of venues

pssst I think its a retro scene with one chance left to kick on and that's if the kids grab hold of it and carry on and don't forget all the records are new to them. lm off.

Well, I have started to attend a number of events when I can. I am far from being an expert, but....I will try and make the Plymouth 'Too Darn Soulful' if I can, which I discovered earlier this year. Yes, I've only been to one..and its a long drive from London, plus I do shift work. I have been trying to get up to The Hull Soul Club when I can too, and did the City Hall gig last Saturday. What I do find in this day and age is the sound systems let the gig down. Without a doubt even a scratchy vinyl should sound good, but some of the sound systems are poor and the DJ's are playing the records far far too loud, to almost painful levels. In fact distorting the record beyond anything I have ever heard even in a professional night club where I first heard much of the soul I aspire too etc back in the day. I did notice the same songs played up to three times each at one gig, which I find surprising when there are so many great tracks to choose from (unless they are sets and each other do not know the others playlist).

A six finish prevents me from a lot of venues

Yes me too youth nighters are hard work nowadays

 

 

Would like to hear this at regular soul night instead of the top 500 etc

why?..its average at best..pretty crap otherwise..

why?..its average at best..pretty crap otherwise..

Hear, hear.

Well, I have started to attend a number of events when I can. I am far from being an expert, but....I will try and make the Plymouth 'Too Darn Soulful' if I can, which I discovered earlier this year. Yes, I've only been to one..and its a long drive from London, plus I do shift work. I have been trying to get up to The Hull Soul Club when I can too, and did the City Hall gig last Saturday. What I do find in this day and age is the sound systems let the gig down. Without a doubt even a scratchy vinyl should sound good, but some of the sound systems are poor and the DJ's are playing the records far far too loud, to almost painful levels. In fact distorting the record beyond anything I have ever heard even in a professional night club where I first heard much of the soul I aspire too etc back in the day. I did notice the same songs played up to three times each at one gig, which I find surprising when there are so many great tracks to choose from (unless they are sets and each other do not know the others playlist).

Thank goodness someone other than me that is willing to state the bleedin' obvious. Get a decent sound system FFS. I've been to so many do's that are run by people that think nothing of paying a couple of grand for a record, yet proceed to play it on a right pile of shite that isn't even set up correctly.

The best sound system I can recall was in a disco in Hull called Scamps in the early 70's. Nothing has beaten it since. You could hear the high frequencies, great bass reproduction and yes, at times, crackle and hiss, but that is inherent on the master tapes and the record etc. The DJ would also equalise the record too with his pfl button on the mixer, so it would sound as near as damn it to the previous spin. If you think about the thousands of studios, engineers, recording processes involved with the production of recorded songs, the least a DJ can do it try and compliment the recording by doing his/her best to ensure when played its fidelity is paramount. I know we are all different and I guess age sometimes has a little to do with it, but some people actually wind the HF down so you cannot hear the hi hats or tambourines for example, which are critical with this type of music. Maybe we have been spoilt at home with MP3's and good hi fi's lol!! Yes, I agree about the expensive records sounding good too. When setting up a gig, there needs to be a punter down the far end and one at the front helping balance the stereo and audio levels at the beginning of the gig. Then put a mark on the max volume and do not increase it. Test with three different records to average etc...After all, my ears are more valuable than any sound that goes in them ha ha!! How many gigs or internet streams have you only heard one side of the stereo coming out for example! Criminal!

Edited September 21, 201312 yr by Carl Dixon