Had the Casino only have had a capacity of 500 would the northern scene still be as it is today?

 

KOKO

 

Yule.

Had the Casino only have had a capacity of 500 would the northern scene still be as it is today?

 

KOKO

 

Yule.

I think the Casino benefited from being in the right place at the right time as the explosion was happening on the northern scene. As it gathered loyalty it sort of created the us and them scenario, but a lot of that would have been down to our age and how easily led we were. Over the years most of us have learnt to diversify, in short we've grown up, so personally I don't think the capacity being smaller would have had an impact on the northern scene today, natural progression is all that's happened IMO 

Had the Casino only have had a capacity of 500 would the northern scene still be as it is today?

 

KOKO

 

Yule.

 

In my opinion no. The thousands that went through those doors were winnowed down to a relative few who 'kept the faith' long enough to re-gain the lost audience.

Without such large numbers it would probably be a bit like The Blues scene, it's still there but not nearly as healthy or robust.

Where's that question come from?  

 

Anyway the answer is yes. I cannot possibly see how the capacity of a venue that closed 33 years ago could have any impact upon what the scene looks like today. I somewhat suspect that one of two might like to differ.

 

Nice

 

It's a bit like the adage about water filling the space available or work filling the time available, a venue of 2000 will attract 2000 and word of mouth will spread more rapidly therefore building the scene and making it more famous which leads to more customers, a smaller venue would have a reduced effect.  The Casino was the largest venue up to then and it cannot be a coincidence that the popularity of the scene was greater than at any time in the previous ten years.

 

STF

I got fed up with Casino in 1976 and decided to see something of the world instead, however I kept buying vinyl wherever I was in the world, thus allowing someone to take my space at the casino, as no-doubt many others did.  The scene was a lot bigger than Wigan, still is and will always be as long as there are people around that appreciate the music that has been adored by us for so long.

It's an interesting question, but I think it is more about the overall throughput rather than the capacity on any one night.

Had the casino only had a capacity of say,500, then I would imagine less people would have been willing to travel the long distances to Wigan if there was a risk of not getting in. The fact that it could accommodate a large crowd and thousands travelled there from all over during the 70s and early 80s meant that it did much to shape and influence the scene throughout the rest of the country.

Had the Casino only have had a capacity of 500 would the northern scene still be as it is today?

 

KOKO

 

Yule.

Yes , there were other clubs up and running before , during and after The Casino . I only went for the first year but still found fulfilment  at other venues as did a lot of us owd buggers . So no matter where you attended it was all pretty much the same . Except The Mecca of course .

Whats KOKO mean ?

 

Whats KOKO mean ?

 

It's a drink Ian!!  a bit like Koffee but more chocolate tasting!  

Whats KOKO mean ?

Keep On Keeping On I guess?

Had the Casino only have had a capacity of 500 would the northern scene still be as it is today?

 

KOKO

 

Yule.

 HI ALL The CASINO opened it's doors in September 1973, at that time many brothers & sisters who went to the Wheel Torch, Up the Junction had dropped of the scene for some reason or another, marriage being the main reason for non attendance to soul events, in the summer part from the All night sessions at the VAVA Bolton, Leeds central, Carlton Club, that did not attract many people from out of a 25 mile radius.

The number of people who did attend the Casino was about 500 although the number rose to capacity crowds those early days could have seen a demise of the soul scene, however as we all no it was the start of the NORTHERN SOUL SCENE for many people.  DAVE K

Hi Dave i cant remember many people dropping off the scene when the Wheel. Torch ect shut around the 71/73 period quite the opposite around that period more people seemed to be getting into the soul scene especially around the Northwest with the Highland Room Ect ect seemed to be attracting more soulbrothers & sisters than ever but during th first few years of Wigan Cas some well known soulies from the days of the Wheel / Torch days left the scene due to marriage ect only to return back in the 1990s

Edited August 25, 201410 yr by IANCSLOFT

Whats KOKO mean ?

I thought it was a 'Charlie Parker' song

 

Chris..

or luther ingram/tommy tates/ little dooley`s record  label

Whats KOKO mean ?

 

The lad works in a circus

I think people forget that the place was rarely packed to capacity, other than on rare occasions, anniversary nights etc. the early 'oldies' nights and a few top-of-the-pops hangovers. I went to almost every 'nighter for several years and reckon 1200 would have been a good average over all. I reckon it's influence was due to the number of DJ's it could afford to pay, competition and it's longevity which allowed a huge catalogue and breadth of music to be passed on.

Knowin Russ like i do dont think the Casino DJ.s would have got much for their services lol

Isn't the more interesting question :   would the Casino have even got off the ground if the Torch hadn't closed ? 

If England hadn't won the 1966 world cup would we have won it again already ?