Soul In The City

[Shsdave]

Just to let the few die hards know, SITC has been booted out of the ditch bar due to low bar take & yet again we're like Bedouins wandering in the desert!

With the very small numbers we were attracting it's really only been a matter of time. Don't know where this leaves us really as there is obviously no support other than a dozen good friends who turn up for a beer & a chat & an occasional tap of the foot. Anybody know of a large telephone box near an off licence for hire on a wednesday ?

Will speak to Paul & Mac but I think the sun is setting

[Martint]

I'm genuinely sorry to hear that Dave, though, as you will appreciate, not surprised.

Martin

[Rbman]

Pete B gets his flat in Bloomsbury from next Monday so we could hold it there.......

[Martint]

actually, that's not such a bad idea is it- a sort of swap meet in Pete's flat would be perfect with cheaper and superior beer as well...... not sure how his neighbours would view it though

[Paul McKay]

That's a good idea Martin - but who will supply Pete's potential new harem members?

[Paul McKay]

Just to let the few die hards know, SITC has been booted out of the ditch bar due to low bar take & yet again we're like Bedouins wandering in the desert!

With the very small numbers we were attracting it's really only been a matter of time. Don't know where this leaves us really as there is obviously no support other than a dozen good friends who turn up for a beer & a chat & an occasional tap of the foot. Anybody know of a large telephone box near an off licence for hire on a wednesday ?

Will speak to Paul & Mac but I think the sun is setting

Shame but only to be expected really as you say. We should organise a boat trip so we can sail off into the sunset.

[ShorterSoul]

what about the Marine Broker in Aldgate?..they have 2 rooms, one upstairs and one in the basement both with a bit of dancefloor.. nice venue - this was where the Save our Soul Shack night was last year..

[Paul McKay]

Yes but they unfotunately don't have their own equipment which is a requirement for our straight from work ethic. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[Guest Simon]

actually, that's not such a bad idea is it- a sort of swap meet in Pete's flat would be perfect with cheaper and superior beer as well...... not sure how his neighbours would view it though

Nights like this are really good & you're right at least if you hold it in your own flat you can ensure you have decent beer/wine & you don't have to worry about playing to the dancefloor.

I remember one night before a Brighton alldayer i invited about 12 Northern Soulies round my flat to play records & drink beverges etc. started off playing NS & then strangely discovered we all had a liking for Siouxsie & the Bansheees et al & spent the rest of the night playing lates 7ts punk/new wave, twas a great night!

Simon

[Shsdave]

That's a good idea Martin - but who will supply Pete's potential new harem members?

Probably be more there anyway than the average NS night

[Shsdave]

That's a good idea Martin - but who will supply Pete's potential new harem members?

Ha ha just noticed your signature Paul...... RIP indeed, well we did our best over the years & that's all that can be asked................

[Macke]

Sorry to hear it guys, been down several times, always enjoyed myself.

Haven't had the opportunity to go for quite some time now, but wouldn't want to see the night disappear.

Well well, good luck with future events/flat parties

Marcus

[Rbman]

That's a good idea Martin - but who will supply Pete's potential new harem members?

I think Pete is more than capable of supplying his own harem....he has double decks also and boots of most of the top 100

M

Edited March 28, 2007 by Rbman

[Guest AudraT]

Sorry to hear that Soul in the City is ending. I loved going to the Old Blue Last back in 2003! Some pics to jog your memory.

P.S. Our house is free on Wednesday's!

Audra

x

[Steve G]

Just to let the few die hards know, SITC has been booted out of the ditch bar due to low bar take & yet again we're like Bedouins wandering in the desert!

With the very small numbers we were attracting it's really only been a matter of time. Don't know where this leaves us really as there is obviously no support other than a dozen good friends who turn up for a beer & a chat & an occasional tap of the foot. Anybody know of a large telephone box near an off licence for hire on a wednesday ?

Will speak to Paul & Mac but I think the sun is setting

I do find this a bit odd as there are quite a few soulfans who work in the city. Must admit I am normally knackered after a day in the office.....but sorry to hear this

Edited March 28, 2007 by Steve G

[chrissie]

Just to let the few die hards know, SITC has been booted out of the ditch bar due to low bar take & yet again we're like Bedouins wandering in the desert!

With the very small numbers we were attracting it's really only been a matter of time. Don't know where this leaves us really as there is obviously no support other than a dozen good friends who turn up for a beer & a chat & an occasional tap of the foot. Anybody know of a large telephone box near an off licence for hire on a wednesday ?

Will speak to Paul & Mac but I think the sun is setting

Really sorry to hear this as I know how hard you have all worked to keep it going. Only made it down once as I struggle to find excuses to go to london with my job anymore so I am as guilty as the next person for not supporting a great night, sorry . Hope there is a pheonix ready to rise from the ashes.

The Original QoFxx

Edited March 29, 2007 by chrissieo

[Rbman]

Soul in the City was my monthly fix of midweek northern soul following my return to the soul scene. ...anyone remember the first night at Nylon. The bar manager was Johnny Nylon as I still know him today. That's when I first met Dave Greenhill, Paul MaKay, Allistair MacDonald (Mac) and MatinThomson. They made me feel very welcome and introduced me to many London soulies including Pete Bennett, Geoff Green, John Stubbs, Andy Faulkner, Dave Gostello, Jessica Gregory, Rob Chadwick and many more. Pete Bennett and I have become close friends. Most importantly they showed me that northern soul was much more than the Top 500 although in the early days they were happy (ish) to play some classic oldies to keep me sweet.

I will miss SITC.

Thanks guys

M

[Stubbsy]

Sorry to hear this bad news chaps, although not unexpected with the dwindling numbers.

Had some great nights at SITC, met some great people and heard lots of top quality sounds

IMO, although it didn't have a proper dance floor, most of the best nights were atThe Old Blue Last. Nylon was good and Vivo's too. As for the Ditch bar - well £3.80 for a shit pint of lager sez it all

Big thanks Paul, Dave, Martin & Mac !

KTF

[Paul McKay]

Soul in the City was my monthly fix of midweek northern soul following my return to the soul scene. ...anyone remember the first night at Nylon. The bar manager was Johnny Nylon as I still know him today. That's when I first met Dave Greenhill, Paul MaKay, Allistair MacDonald (Mac) and MatinThomson. They made me feel very welcome and introduced me to many London soulies including Pete Bennett, Geoff Green, John Stubbs, Andy Faulkner, Dave Gostello, Jessica Gregory, Rob Chadwick and many more. Pete Bennett and I have become close friends. Most importantly they showed me that northern soul was much more than the Top 500 although in the early days they were happy (ish) to play some classic oldies to keep me sweet.

I will miss SITC.

Thanks guys

M

We're glad you enjoyed it Martin - and very many thanks for your loyal support.

Cheers

Paul and on behalf of Mac, Dave and Martin

[Paul McKay]

Sorry to hear this bad news chaps, although not unexpected with the dwindling numbers.

Had some great nights at SITC, met some great people and heard lots of top quality sounds

IMO, although it didn't have a proper dance floor, most of the best nights were atThe Old Blue Last. Nylon was good and Vivo's too. As for the Ditch bar - well £3.80 for a shit pint of lager sez it all

Big thanks Paul, Dave, Martin & Mac !

KTF

So which venue were you on your way home from when you ended up in Colchester then as I realise you wouldn't actually remember too much about that night

Seriously, thanks for loyal support John!

[Martint]

looking back it seems we've always been looking for the perfect venue with SITC and it's funny to think that the old blue last was it, though to be honest, I would have to agree that it was the best one. AND AND AND it's where I met my lovely wife of course (so I'd have to say that wouldn't I )

No but seriously, many great times at SITC over a LONG period of time. Many frustrating ones as well to be sure, but I tell you what, I wouldn't have missed it for t'world and have to add my sincere thanks to those of you who supported it through thick, thin, thick and more thin

Edited March 29, 2007 by martint

[Geoff]

While it isn't a shock, I still feel really sorry. SITC at the Old Blue Last was the second Northern soul night I went to on my return to the soul scene. I still remember the first time I went up the stairs there, felt a bit nervous, didn't know what I'd find. Thank goodness I did, apart from hearing great music, nearly all new to me, I've met some people who are my great friends, not going to embarrass you all by naming you, but you know who you are.

One thing about the Old Blue Last was that as there wasn't a dance floor as such, there was no worries about playing slower tracks. Of course I didn't know them in those days.

It was great when you moved to the Nylon bar, Les and I had some great nights there, good dance floor, and a good crowd.

I thought Vivo's was a good venue too, although I know some disagree. I remember walking down those stairs, always had to be a bit careful, then looking into the recess by the DJ's plinth to see which of my friends were there. Oh happy days.

While I liked the Ditch Bar as it had a dance floor, I go along with John Stubbs on his comments on the prices. A bit over the top imo.

As for the lack of support, that is a difficult one. I suspect the thought of a trip down to Shoreditch High Street put some people off. Both the Nylon Bar and Vivo's were more convenient for some London train stations, and the underground. Also some of us don't think Shoreditch is that salubrious an area, sorry if that offends anyone. And parking always seems difficult. Just my personal opinion.

The Northern scene in London seems to have taken a bit of tumble in the last 2 or 3 years. We've discussed this among ourselves. My opinion is that losing the Capitol Soul Club and These Old Shoes had a very detrimental effect. A lot of the people who went there seem to have disappeared or are only seen on rare occasions. Yet outside London in Hertfordshire most events seem to get a good turnout, and as far as I know so does Walls Of Heartache in Walthamstow, don't know about Boogaloo in Greenwich, I assume it gets a decent crowd in, my apologies to Warren for my lack of attendance.

Maybe people don't want to go out in the middle of the week, my personal circumstances make it much more difficult these days, but I've done my best. Perhaps people have less ready cash.

Whatever the reason I hope something turns up for SITC, it will always have a special place in my heart.

[Paul McKay]

Thanks very much for your kind words Geoff. The four of us are really glad that you enjoyed our efforts over the years. You and Les stumbled across us at just the right time too, before our move to Nylon where with the addition of a dance floor our night was transformed. I agree about the change in music style, but we always tried to play something a bit different tempo wise in our early sets.

As for Shoreditch, I was amazed at the huge numbers of people on the streets there at weekends such as when attending the last Soul Revolution Niter there. It was like a Saturday afternoon in Oxford Street the week before Xmas. Parking and the one way systems were a nuisance that's for sure.

The beer prices wre'nt good but funnily enough Patrick, the owner, reduced them for the March one and for the Soul Revolution warm up held there.

Maybe the demand for a midweek soul night isn't there any more, and quite a few of our regulars have moved away from London over the last couple of years too.

Thanks for your loyal support too Geoff

See you soon

Paul & on behalf of Dave, Mac & Martin.

[Martint]

My opinion is that losing the Capitol Soul Club and These Old Shoes had a very detrimental effect. A lot of the people who went there seem to have disappeared or are only seen on rare occasions.

I have to say Geoff that both nights went BECAUSE there was a large fall off in attendance, it was not the other way around. I can only really speak for TOS but we weren't pulling in the numbers for the last year or two when it was going, the fall off was already in motion. Obviously we had a spectacular turn out at the very last TOS but the majority of people there probably hadn't been more than once in the previous two or three years Probably ditto for the CSC. Going back to 1998-1999 there seemed to be huge numbers of people out in London at any events but with hindsight, there were probably just a lot fewer going on, and there is loads more now, and a much greater variety of nights including modern, R&B, northern etc., and it's just that the people are more widely spread out.

[Geoff]

I have to say Geoff that both nights went BECAUSE there was a large fall off in attendance, it was not the other way around. I can only really speak for TOS but we weren't pulling in the numbers for the last year or two when it was going, the fall off was already in motion. Obviously we had a spectacular turn out at the very last TOS but the majority of people there probably hadn't been more than once in the previous two or three years Probably ditto for the CSC. Going back to 1998-1999 there seemed to be huge numbers of people out in London at any events but with hindsight, there were probably just a lot fewer going on, and there is loads more now, and a much greater variety of nights including modern, R&B, northern etc., and it's just that the people are more widely spread out.

I do appreciate what you say Martin, I went to These Old Shoes just after I started at SITC, at the suggestion of your good self and John Stubbs. It was absolutely packed, hard to get on the dance floor, not that it was hard to fill it. The numbers did go down, as with the CSC. It made me sad, I loved it and yet so many had stopped going. I am probably naive, and I certainly had no idea about the problems of running a soul event, but just assumed they would carry on.

Not much else I can say really, just thank you all for the great music you played, it has been an education to me, and given me so much pleasure. And thanks to everyone who went for helping me to have some great times.

[Saxafone]

Hoi get a grip !!! Mac, where's the rorke's drift spirit - "sir the dj's on fire" then put him bloody out hughes (michael caine's line if i'd written it, and assuming they had a northern night at rorke's drift)

Let's go back to basics, twas and is a social night - no need for obituaries, build it and they will come !

too many death rites being accepted - bloody wake up, we got a wake up call coz we wasn't doing something right, simple ! The punter is king.

The City still needs soul, we still need to socialise - we just need to find the right venue.

Let's regroup and rebuild - my glass is threequarters full - as always cos I have 2 on the go - Taff

[Saxafone]

Waiting for Paul to say - "your glass is always half full coz you have 12 on the go", ok at Prestatyn you have to cover every table coz you may end up talking to someone sitting there ! I was in the boy sprouts - be prepared !

Taff

"Our death is presumptious" or whatever that smart arse bloke said when he read his own obituary. Jeez let's treat it as a really bad hangover, I've been reborn loads of times and that's also after being ejected from an east end hostelry ! Wasn't for not drinking though ! Certainly not at the norfolk village - think I threw meself out about thursday or was it august !

[Guest Mac]

Thanks for all your kind words but as most people have said not unexpected.

I hope it's not the end of SITC as that would be a great shame Especially as I get to see my mates and listen, (play) some great music and times and friendships

So I've not given up yet

Watch this space

Mac

[Paul McKay]

Well said Mac (and Taff - have the table clearers at Prestatyn managed to finally remove all of those 7/8 full glasses of yours?). Perhaps the rumours of the death of SITC have been somewhat exageratedand there's life in the old soaks yet. We'll keep you posted.

[Maria O]

Sorry to hear about the latest - I had some great nights there.

BUT

SITC never dies ...it merely reinvents itself elsewhere!

m

[Martint]

Some pictures from Soul in the City at Nylon.

[Guest glocky478]

Sorry to see SITC folding.

I thoroughly enjoyed the night's I spent at Vivo's and laterly at the Ditch ( not been as frequently as i would have liked.. Sorry Lads.)

Thanks to Mac , Paul, Dave & Martin for the great sounds and for introducing me to to fellow soulies like Geoff, John Stubbs, Martin & Pete B

Cheers, Lads and here's looking forward to the resurrection of SITC (wherever that may be...)

Dave

[Guest SteveA]

Thanks to the guys for all your sterling efforts & for re-introducing an old git back to the scene. If it hadn't been for overhearing Paul at Spitalfields market mention the words "northern" & "Nylon" (perhaps he was talking about clothes!), I never would have the opportunity to test my creaking bones again.

Special thanks to Dave the Addick & Martin for playing a ton of records I'd never heard before, Pete the Red & Johnny G for making me feel welcome.

As someone said once "Keep The Faith".

[Dave Abbott]

Sorry to hear this guys i didn't get up as much as i would have liked but i always enjoyed myself when i did and had a great time It's just shame it wasn't supported by folk who live nearer.

Music was always great especially Mac's last spot of each nite