Been around soul scene a very long time. Just back from Blackpool weekender. Now it’s seems to me that Northern Soul has turned into some sort of Hop about jumping with no match to the tunes being played. Maybe it’s evolved into a sort of Aerobic class. Any one else notice this ?

13 minutes ago, Gary KTF said:

Been around soul scene a very long time. Just back from Blackpool weekender. Now it’s seems to me that Northern Soul has turned into some sort of Hop about jumping with no match to the tunes being played. Maybe it’s evolved into a sort of Aerobic class. Any one else notice this ?

Yes , very evident watching the dancing competition , the lad who finished in 2nd place was definitely dancing to a different tune to everyone else , or as you say just very Aerobic unnecessarily.

I'm afraid I have to agree - I've never liked all that bouncing around - it looks more & more like some sort of gymnastics session!🙃

Edited yesterday at 09:021 day by Kathryn Magson

12 hours ago, Happy Feet said:

Yes , very evident watching the dancing competition , the lad who finished in 2nd place was definitely dancing to a different tune to everyone else , or as you say just very Aerobic unnecessarily.

None weee dancing in time to the music. All doing the same thing basically in a different order. Hardly any flowed, all very clumsy going into and coming out of a move.

To be honest I've never been to any of the weekenders - it's all become way too big & commercialised for my liking!

Wish I could turn back the clock to the good old days of an all-nighter in a packed, sweaty little club with not much room on the floor to flail arms & legs around - guess I'm a bit too old-school......times have changed.....😢

Nowadays I just stick to the odd soul night in a local club - wish I could still manage an all-nighter!🤣

Edited 20 hours ago20 hr by Kathryn Magson

Someone did tell me that when the 'competition' is narrowed down to the last 3 then it's a judgement of the support from the audience that decides the 'winner'. A la Huey Greens clap-o-meter perhaps?

Perhaps that's why some feel throwing in tricks throughout a song, rather than on the breaks of a 'learned by heart' (and felt in the heart for that matter) would curry favour? ie never mind the rhythm, look at my acrobatics & flexibility!

It is, at the end of the day, a highly successful marketing gimmick for Goldsoul, but it's not remotely a serious competition.

Dancing competitions are a load of rubbish anyway!

They spoil the night, as all the atmosphere is lost and everyone has to stop dancing apart from the competitors.

It should be about playing great records and everyone getting on the floor and enjoying themselves and being part of it, not standing about spectating and having to listen to some shouty DJ drone on for a half hour👍

Edited 16 hours ago16 hr by Solidsoul

The dancing on the main floor was equally curious with geriatric hokey-cokey two-steppers, Olympic gymnasts, L plate wearing handbaggers, serious committed soulboys and soulgirls plus a few recognisably talented dancers dotted around. Everybody seemed to be having a good time out there and that’s what really counts.

It always amazing to see the same people sat in the same seats year after year ,do they rent the space and bring there own tables and chairs. Dancing comps are old hat now ditch them .no soul or rhythm or feeling that's why I AVOID at all costs

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38 minutes ago, Stephen Houghton said:

It always amazing to see the same people sat in the same seats year after year ,do they rent the space and bring there own tables and chairs. Dancing comps are old hat now ditch them .no soul or rhythm or feeling that's why I AVOID at all costs

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If you look at the numbers attending this event whatever our thoughts on the dance competition and the event in general they are a money spinner and here to stay.

2 hours ago, Shinehead said:

If you look at the numbers attending this event whatever our thoughts on the dance competition and the event in general they are a money spinner and here to stay.

Do the regular nighter crowd go to these weekends or is it more tourists who pick this as there annual fix of northern ?