Has the bubble burst? Have the inflated egos finally realised? What has happened to the quality dance music (Circa 1996 - 2006) that used to be played in venues across the Northwest?
I remember packed dance floors and round of applauses for DJs. Nights where the music built, flowed, took you up then down, only to bring you straight back up finishing on a crescendo. The soul crowed shouting for more.
Tunes were played of all tempos from uplifting soul to quality funky house. When and indeed why did the DJs change their job description from providing the paying public with quality tunes to dance to and start courting the ear of the Promoter's music choice, which repeatedly fails to please their target audience!
NB Note to DJs, that's the audience in front of the decks, not behind it!
There was a time when guest DJs were a regular event and new DJs cutting their teeth were given their debut set, all adding to keeping the evening fresh and a pleasure to be at. Now, after checking three times and adding the sums up twice, I can confirm that the Northwest scene now has a massive rotating DJ line-up totalling 5, yes that's 5 people! Guest DJs? Gone! New talent? Gone!
NB Rotation system explained. Now try and keep up. Same 5 DJs at same venue, every weekend with same records, same sycophant loyalties and at best average set!
Why are some DJs afraid to play up-tempo / uplifting music? Are they more concerned with offending the promoter than the people on the dance floor? An example could be: You get high praise from the Promoter for your set, he loved your tunes, but the dance floor was empty. Have you forgotten the punters or do you just not care? What's next? Take the Promoter out for a meal then back to his place perhaps?
Dance floors are emptying; venues are closing down. Promoters only have themselves to blame! Its all about supply and demand. They are not supplying what the soul audience wants. Simple as.
What is needed is CHANGE and that can only start with communication.
For me, the question is whether the soul scene should change in line with the audience requirements. My answer would be very much in the affirmative.
Has the bubble burst? Have the inflated egos finally realised? What has happened to the quality dance music (Circa 1996 - 2006) that used to be played in venues across the Northwest?
I remember packed dance floors and round of applauses for DJs. Nights where the music built, flowed, took you up then down, only to bring you straight back up finishing on a crescendo. The soul crowed shouting for more.
Tunes were played of all tempos from uplifting soul to quality funky house. When and indeed why did the DJs change their job description from providing the paying public with quality tunes to dance to and start courting the ear of the Promoter's music choice, which repeatedly fails to please their target audience!
NB Note to DJs, that's the audience in front of the decks, not behind it!
There was a time when guest DJs were a regular event and new DJs cutting their teeth were given their debut set, all adding to keeping the evening fresh and a pleasure to be at. Now, after checking three times and adding the sums up twice, I can confirm that the Northwest scene now has a massive rotating DJ line-up totalling 5, yes that's 5 people! Guest DJs? Gone! New talent? Gone!
NB Rotation system explained. Now try and keep up. Same 5 DJs at same venue, every weekend with same records, same sycophant loyalties and at best average set!
Why are some DJs afraid to play up-tempo / uplifting music? Are they more concerned with offending the promoter than the people on the dance floor? An example could be: You get high praise from the Promoter for your set, he loved your tunes, but the dance floor was empty. Have you forgotten the punters or do you just not care? What's next? Take the Promoter out for a meal then back to his place perhaps?
Dance floors are emptying; venues are closing down. Promoters only have themselves to blame! Its all about supply and demand. They are not supplying what the soul audience wants. Simple as.
What is needed is CHANGE and that can only start with communication.
For me, the question is whether the soul scene should change in line with the audience requirements. My answer would be very much in the affirmative.
Edited by rachel