spirit

Just to clarify on Vertigo - I wasn't recommending it (I haven't been; my understanding  - which may be misinformed - is its a small studenty club night that plays some Northern Soul with all the upsides and downsides that might imply). I was confused by the reference to The Attic; but I reckon that's the venue for Vertigo, as well as being the excellent club in Mansfield. Anyway, you may be tired by Stormin' Soul, but I don't think you'll regret it. It's an excellent night. I'll be driving a similar length myself that night (from another direction) with nothing but caffeine to help me along.

Take it you're not referring to the Mansfield Attic (which is more than an hour away, and next Saturday, and underplayed policy)? Vertigo? Anyway, Stormin' Soul (Barnsley) is a good night, and about an hour away. All night long, so there should be some underplayeds in there, and there's an r&b room too. Â

I mean, covering several strands just on that specific 100 club weekend on the Friday in the Manchester/Leeds area - and these are just the ones I've visited; I can't comment on the others: Burnley is the best event (IMNSHO), intimate and atmospheric with more adventurous music. Brighouse is a great representative of the popular oldies scene. Good atmosphere, normally very busy. Beat Boutique in Manchester - young and vibrant crowd, but more of a nightclub thing with some good young dancers and a fresh NS-centred sound, but lacking the dancefloor discipline that's an important part of the NS culture. But good copy. The biggest nights in the country that weekend (I think) will be Stoke Kings Hall on Saturday (is that the North of England, though?); Brighouse on the Friday. I haven't yet been to the 100 Club, but I would have thought Stoke/Burnley would be more representative of what its all about from a journalistic perspective, and a better combination for a visit if restricted to that weekend.

Sorry to make things more complicated, but: What's his agenda as a journalist? To represent the scene truthfully, or how we might like him to see it? There are several strands within the (Northern) soul scene and it depends really what he's looking for as a journalist - the best/coolest nights (which is kind of subjective)? Or the most popular or culturally representative nights? If he wants a good view of what the scene is about, he's going to have to visit more than 2 clubs. For instance, the one problem with just doing (say) Burnley and 100 Club is that they are not representative of just how big and popular the more MOR events are. And what about the endless small 'local soul for local people' clubs running all over the Midlands and the North - they are arguably the lifeblood of the scene, and though perhaps a little conservative and unglamorous he may want to mention them.

I would dispute it's the truth. I'm considerably younger than most people I see at allnighters, and think that their active allegiance to the dancefloor is rather cooler than a nostalgic dismissal of them.

*Demanding to see a repeat of the Paul O'Grady show marks a new low in my cultural life.