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Has Coronavirus sounded the death bells for NS live scen


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Could this virus cause the end of the live NS scene as we know it, And how can we help to save it, the clock is ticking, and the Night time economy will never return as it was before the writing was on the wall 5 years ago this virus has put the icing on the cake faster than was thought, Ideas anybody, ?

KR

ML

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On radio 5live last week, Colin Murray, was talking to people about the live music venues and their current dilemma.  Jeff Horton said that if there wasn't some money forthcoming, like for theaters etc, then the 100 Club would be closed by the end of the year.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000l84l

38 minutes in

Edited by Simon T
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Death bells for N/S Scene?....I think not.

Personally I think a vaccine will be the answer we all need, as we are all probably going to catch it sooner or later. When and not if we return to the dance floor is just a matter of time be it this year or next.

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On 11/08/2020 at 18:58, PeteSi said:

Death bells for N/S Scene?....I think not.

Personally I think a vaccine will be the answer we all need, as we are all probably going to catch it sooner or later. When and not if we return to the dance floor is just a matter of time be it this year or next.

I noticed that Roller Disco venues are allowed to open tomorrow. Northern Soul Roller Disco ?, perhaps some will get there skates on. my wife says "Roll "O" Soul" could be the future

Edited by Blackpoolsoul
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On 11/08/2020 at 18:58, PeteSi said:

Death bells for N/S Scene?....I think not.

Personally I think a vaccine will be the answer we all need, as we are all probably going to catch it sooner or later. When and not if we return to the dance floor is just a matter of time be it this year or next.

Agree with everything other than the probably all going to catch it bit, transmission in the community is reckoned to be about 2000 a day give or take a few hundred, thats about 750000 if it continues another year which is highly unlikely,  at that rate it would take 10 years for 7.5 million to get it and thats less than an 1/8 of the population. 

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5 hours ago, Blackpoolsoul said:

I noticed that Roller Disco venues are allowed to open tomorrow. Northern Soul Roller Disco ?, perhaps some will get there skates on. my wife says "Roll "O" Soul" could be the future

Marvellous idea,

I`m missing the Kings H, Grosvenor rooms, Northern line, Stewartby etc  and I`m still fit and pretty good at the dancing lark (but then i should be after almost 50yrs of practice, LoL) Only problem is err,  maybe 62 is a bit old to be learning to roller skate? So ......I may just have to wait for a return to normal service.

C`mon  Boris get that vaccine sorted.. godammit.

Edited by PeteSi
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Stop the doom and gloom - I hope to put an event on in Dec as Sept looks like it’s a no go - also booked NYE and I’ve booked 3 dates for 2021 - just calm down see how it goes - not sure what the rush is, sure we’re comping at the bit - but unless you can safely control the punters - think carefully what you’re doing as you’re playing with peoples life’s - be safe 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Hi Mick,

Yes, I think it will be the end 'as we know it', but that doesn't have to be a bad thing.

As you say, the clock is ticking, and the longer this goes on the more different it will be because (as has been mentioned in ref to football) some people will get used to their different past times at weekends, and won’t be bothered about coming back out to play.

Lots of on-line events may well continue after this virus is long gone too, thus giving some people enough of a soul outlet.

Not all doom and gloom though - Change can be good :wink:

Len :thumbsup:

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Northern soul has been around far to long,for a virus to kill it,a bit of patience needed,from us all,me and my soulie friends reckon we will be talcin the dancefloor,new years eve,at our local venue,if it happens,great,if not,THINGS WILL ONLY GET BETTER KTF

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I hope the enforced break can allow for a return somewhen with events only run by people with the right skills and approach, less but better attended events - I dont just mean big events but capacity at smaller events as well, tv/media forget the scene & lose all interest, no association with mid-seventies fashion, more punters actually dancing rather than standing drinking and chatting........  maybe lose the term northern soul and come up with something new to kickstart the scene and lose some of the above in the process.

 

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As much as I hate to say it, I think - without a vaccine in place.. the 'live' Soul Scene will suffer the same fate as the Dinosaurs - extinction !!

Online events are great.. to a degree, as is any online chat-room availability.. but it isn't the same as attending a venue in person, and all that goes with a good night out - particularly personal interaction with other like-minded Soulie Type Peeps

Sad, but true, methinks

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1 hour ago, Chalky said:

The scene will never go back underground with a hard core of dedicated broad minded soulies, quite the opposite.  The scene provides a platform  for the divvies, the ordinary and the idiots, people who would get no acceptance elsewhere getting to be someone just by splashing a bit of cash.

Totaly agree with you Chalky,the great days of Stafford are long gone.I'm just so glad i was part of that era. Chris. 

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14 hours ago, Baz Atkinson said:

I agree with Karl don’t think we can carry on much longer with so much uncertainty I watched a programme about the homeless last night and Covid and it’s impact ! 
As a country we have not got a endless supply of cash quite the opposite so it may be down to lifestyle choices at the end of the day which ain’t no bad thing ! 
I like Russ;s  scenario but the northern scene will never go back to been underground too many wannabe promoters now with vested interest and too many newcomers thinking the dream is to DJ as opposed to those who embraced the scene back in the day who preferred to collect ! 
For a scene with an average U.K. age of 50 plus Europe perhaps 40s we all need to take a hard look at how it pans out and make sure safety comes first. 

I agree with most of that Baz, but would question the average age of UK scene - over 60 now I would have thought.

It's difficult to predict what will happen, but contrary to Russ's wish, it was the rare soul events here in the UK that were thinning out pre Covid, especially some of the Nighters. Back to the age of the attendees again I guess and willingness to travel distances. If the foundations are weak it takes less for the house to fall down. We've said it for years but for that scene to survive there needs to be appeal for a younger generation. Apart from the 100 Club I don't see enough of that to sustain a scene going forward.

I know some are 'chomping at the bit' to get onto a dancefloor, as others have said a lot seem to be finding other ways of enjoying the music (podcasts, these so called "Bedroom DJs"., online alldayers etc.) or just other things to do with their lives, like gardening, bowls and walking ha ha!.

When a form of 'normal' returns, I reckon after an initial 'spurt' that there will be a lot less venues and for much of what survives the quality of music on offer will appeal to the lowest common denominator. 

Sorry, but my glass is only half full now! 😕 

Edited by Steve G
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I'm sure some 'Northern Soul industry' style promoters will be looking at growing the  'Soul in the Sun', 'A Holiday Full of Soul', 'Soul in a Sangria Glass', 'Beach Full of Soul', 'Sandcastle in the Sand' type scenarios....looking to countries where COVID eases of in terms of mobility and rules. 

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48 minutes ago, Paul-s said:

I'm sure some 'Northern Soul industry' style promoters will be looking at growing the  'Soul in the Sun', 'A Holiday Full of Soul', 'Soul in a Sangria Glass', 'Beach Full of Soul', 'Sandcastle in the Sand' type scenarios....looking to countries where COVID eases of in terms of mobility and rules. 

Well I'll see you at 'Sandy Balls' hotel then Paul - 'Carry On Northern' :D

Len :thumbsup:

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2 hours ago, Steve G said:

I agree with most of that Baz, but would question the average age of UK scene - over 60 now I would have thought.

It's difficult to predict what will happen, but contrary to Russ's wish, it was the rare soul events here in the UK that were thinning out pre Covid, especially some of the Nighters. Back to the age of the attendees again I guess and willingness to travel distances. If the foundations are weak it takes less for the house to fall down. We've said it for years but for that scene to survive there needs to be appeal for a younger generation. Apart from the 100 Club I don't see enough of that to sustain a scene going forward.

I know some are 'chomping at the bit' to get onto a dancefloor, as others have said a lot seem to be finding other ways of enjoying the music (podcasts, these so called "Bedroom DJs"., online alldayers etc.) or just other things to do with their lives, like gardening, bowls and walking ha ha!.

When a form of 'normal' returns, I reckon after an initial 'spurt' that there will be a lot less venues and for much of what survives the quality of music on offer will appeal to the lowest common denominator. 

Sorry, but my glass is only half full now! 😕 

Wise words Steve, I am finding the Bedroom DJ thing highly annoying although I did enjoy one or two to start with. 
I am eternally the optimist but having not done a nighter since 2013 can’t say I will miss it either ! 
A second wave and a no deal Brexit might put more nails in the coffin let’s hope some of the younger people do carry it forward always impressed by the likes of young Alex Johnson Jordon Wilson etc so there is slight hope ! 

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On 25/08/2020 at 07:10, Russ Vickers said:

I really like the idea of the scene going back underground, through word of mouth, illegal All Nighters....but the reality is, that it will never happen....we're all too old now to risk death or a £10,000 fine, plus confiscation of equipment etc....I do hope that the scene will condense into a smaller, less nostalgia based scene, with less div events & a handful of proper All Nighters attended by folk young & old who are passionate about soul music & hearing a diverse mix of Rare Soul, including new discoveries....if there is to be one good thing that comes out of this nightmare with regards to the Soul Scene, it should be the end of the saturation of events that have no relevance to the original scene, I hope we lose the wannabes, never was's, Walter Mitty promoters n DJ's n punters, who just want to play bootlegs to people who know no better...... 

Totally agree mate the 80,s soul scene was a far healthier place, oldies where on the back burner at most venue's very few div, s wannabees about and new discoveries were accepted by most, ow day's new discoveries are treated with distain by the masses, funny thing is if it wasn't for the soul fans of the 80's there would have been a scene for the wannabees, divs etc to attend now. As for the situation now well we just have to stay safe and bide our time, hopefully the better venue's will prevail till then we will have to dance in our kitchens. Ps great 100club set the other week Russ 

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A fair few events happening on the Isle of Wight over Aug BH (mainly at Ryde) , tho with exception of Ventnor Winter Gnds

not on on here but can be found on Isle of Wight Scooter Rally facebook page , plus outside The Volks Tavern , Brighton as the revamped Brighton Mod Weekender organised by New Untouchables . 

Edited by Andybellwood
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On 25/08/2020 at 07:10, Russ Vickers said:

I really like the idea of the scene going back underground, through word of mouth, illegal All Nighters....but the reality is, that it will never happen....we're all too old now to risk death or a £10,000 fine, plus confiscation of equipment etc....I do hope that the scene will condense into a smaller, less nostalgia based scene, with less div events & a handful of proper All Nighters attended by folk young & old who are passionate about soul music & hearing a diverse mix of Rare Soul, including new discoveries....if there is to be one good thing that comes out of this nightmare with regards to the Soul Scene, it should be the end of the saturation of events that have no relevance to the original scene, I hope we lose the wannabes, never was's, Walter Mitty promoters n DJ's n punters, who just want to play bootlegs to people who know no better...... 

You weren't even there at the beginning when it was underground, 

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On 26/08/2020 at 17:19, Monny1916 said:

You weren't even there at the beginning when it was underground, 

Russ hasn’t claimed to be has he?  It has been underground at other times though, not just the beginning.  It will never return underground, its gone to far into divvy land, far too commercial. The nighter scene as we know/knew it is diminishing as the years pass and age creeps up on those left.  But it doesn’t stop people getting misty eyed and yearn for what we once had. 

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3 hours ago, Monny1916 said:

Stafford created Divvyland, worst era ever 

What do you mean ? .... are you saying that the Stafford .. 'Top Of The World ... niters were the starting point for where we are now ?... in light of previous comments made

I'm somewhat confused

Andy

Edited by Andy Rix
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21 minutes ago, Andy Rix said:

What do you mean ? .... are you saying that the Stafford .. 'Top Of The World ... niters were the starting point for where we are now ?... in light of previous comments made

I'm somewhat confused

Andy

The 'downfall' started when they changed it's name to "Fatty Arbuckles" or as my mate, a local, referred to it as the 'Disco Inferno' ............... burn the mother down

3476-0.jpg.e6a3bb2a14c1c70b4a9c02d5c5b57d91.jpg

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2 minutes ago, Andy Rix said:

At least it was next door to an Insurance Broker !

A

I noticed that, funny as f*ck ..... I wonder if Alanis Morissette  ever attended?

Stafford memories:

Going in the 'disco' before with Jo-Anne to bop to  Colonel Abrahams

Billy from Stoke did exist - best gear Terry ever had, but being subjected to 'what's that song, i can get you off my mind ah ar' for 3 plus hours ad nausea on the way home (Little Ron)

Ian Clarke, laughing and saying to me  'look more DJs than punters'

 

 

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7 hours ago, Andy Rix said:

What do you mean ? .... are you saying that the Stafford .. 'Top Of The World ... niters were the starting point for where we are now ?... in light of previous comments made

I'm somewhat confused

Andy

Makes two of us Andy.  Think you can trace where we are now back to the mid 70s. At least the 80s took it back underground. 

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13 hours ago, Monny1916 said:

Hi kathryn, I know everyone wasn't there at the beginning, the point i was making was people that never joined the scene until the-late 70s early  80s think they should be the guardians of northern soul and dictate to others what should be, I live in Corby Northamptonshire, I went to The Torch as a 15 year old which in them days it was a 3 hour journey, Bletsoe,Mkt Harboro also as a 15 year old, myself and my wife were until 2 years ago doing a niter weekly, The scene will never go back to being underground, so just enjoy what you have ,,good luck with your soul nights we may even pay a visit God Willing,, Stephen 

So you were too young for Kelmarsh, Burton Latimer etc? Not quite the beginning then

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On 26/08/2020 at 14:13, Andybellwood said:

A fair few events happening on the Isle of Wight over Aug BH (mainly at Ryde) , tho with exception of Ventnor Winter Gnds

not on on here but can be found on Isle of Wight Scooter Rally facebook page , plus outside The Volks Tavern , Brighton as the revamped Brighton Mod Weekender organised by New Untouchables . 

A more pesimistic update from iow ...authorities have intervened causing the hotel to cancel 'The Happening' in the gardens of The Ryde Caste . 

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3 hours ago, Chalky said:

Makes two of us Andy.  Think you can trace where we are now back to the mid 70s. At least the 80s took it back underground. 

That  makes 3  it started when R. W. Aloud the bloody TV crews into the casino. That caused many true soul fans to leave the scene, so they missed out on Stafford. Unfortunately, some returned to the sideshow now touted as the soul scene. I been on the scene since 74, unfortunately to young to attend torch and wheel, but the scene I joined was totally different to today's new sounds were accepted not scorned upon. As for the virus time will tell, 

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