Mod Life Crisis

Thank you for another fantastic afternoon of great music, camaraderie and friendship. A truly superb event that delivers every time. Anyone local, into NS and not going to this need to be asking themselves some serious questions as to why not. Here’s to next time. The Waddesdon Contingent (and Daughter)

First off, I’ve got to come clean that I was playing here last night. Hopefully I can give an unbiased view as a punter, who has attended most clubs in the local area for many years. The venue itself is great. Just off the M40 and a short walk from the train station. It’s by the main Swan theatre, so it’s well signposted. There’s a small car park on site (£2 for the evening) and a larger multi storey 30 seconds away. The event is held upstairs. Once through the doors, there is a sizeable bar to the left, with a decent bar area. The bar staff worked hard all night and kept waiting times down. All of this is away from the dance floor, so you can dance or drink without impacting anyone doing the other. Prices were ok - less than £5 a pint. (For anyone unfamiliar with drink prices in the south-east, we consider this reasonable). The dance floor has tables and chairs alongside it and at one end. At the far end is a raised stage, with the decks and speakers. The sound system was decent - not too loud that conversation was impossible, and it held up well throughout the evening. The dance floor is a decent size, would have benefitted from being polished (something to consider for future events). As it was the opening night, of hopefully many, we had no idea of what the crowd would want. By the end of the night this was very apparent. It’s a “Top 500” event, with no OVO policy. (Two DJs did play OVO). If you are into rare/underplayed, this probably won’t be for you. If you want a night out dancing away to sounds you know, get yourself down here. About 150 were in attendance (from as far afield as Bournemouth - bless you, Anna and friends 🥰), and the dance floor was busy from 8 pm until closing at midnight. Please believe me - this is very, very unusual for our local area (where the unwritten, but strictly adhered to Golden rule is “Thou shalt no go anywhere near the dance floor until 9pm”). Special mention to Pete Longden for a) getting such a superb night arranged and so well promoted b) playing out for the first time, delivering such a well-received set (and helping break that Golden rule). Already looking forward to June 27th, when I can enjoy just being a dancer.

Thanks to the organisers for a superb night. Great to see so many people staying so late and a thorough pleasure to be there. Already looking forward to the next one.

Thank you for a great night. Our first time there and we loved it. See you on the 21st 🤞.

This was our first visit to this Club; it will not be our last. Before we had even entered the building we received a warm welcome from one of the regulars, a theme that continued throughout the night. When entering the room, the bar is directly in front of you, well away from the dance floor and the opposite end from the decks. There is ample seating in the bar area and all along both sides of the dance floor. The floor itself is very good to dance on (I’m not educated enough to tell you if it’s sprung, I can tell you that you can move your feet effortlessly, which is good enough for us). My only negative is that the dance floor was, at times, too small to comfortably cater for everyone. This is not because it’s small, far from it, just that so many people want to dance (and they can dance; the floor had people on it all night, and was not empty once). Drink prices are superb (£3.70 for a wine, (3.60 a pint of bitter shandy, £4.90 for a g&t; Mrs MLC was a happy lady!). Music policy was very reminiscent of our local clubs pre-COVID, nothing you haven’t heard plenty of times, but great to hear nevertheless. Mainly 60s classics, with a smattering of modern. What really made the night for us was how friendly everyone was. We recognised a few faces from clubs in Bicester and Banbury, as well as a few Rugby stalwarts, but it was the welcome from complete strangers that was so lovely. The next night here is Feb 21st and it’s already on the calendar. See you all then, maybe with more in tow. All the best The Waddesdon Contingent

Thanks for a brilliant night. Lovely to see the place so packed, with so many dancing all evening to some excellent tunes. Cannot wait for the next one. Merry Xmas and a happy New Year to everyone xx

We will be there as soon as I can get back from East London’s “entertainment” in the afternoon. Save me a CD please 🙏.

Thank you for another brilliant night. Our favourite local(ish) club and really looking forward to seeing you all again in April. Luv n hugs The Waddesdon Contingent

Ok, I am more than a little biased reviewing this Club, as we have been going since their very first night many years, and several venue changes, ago. I will try not to be too effusive in my praise. The Carlton Club is a lovely building, with ample parking at the back, and plenty of free on-street parking immediately outside. The bar is set to the back of the room and the prices are great - 2 pints, 2 wines and change from £20. Plenty of seating by the bar and around the very good dance floor (which gets better the more it is danced on; it has little pockets where you simply glide). Can comfortably sit 100+ people. Last night the music was spot on. The resident DJs, Kev and Tony, supplied decent sounds at the start of the evening. Sandwiched in between were two superb sets from Tom Howard of Banbury Soul Club (a great mixture of classics, rarer 60s and modern) and Hammie; fourth time we’ve seen him this month, and this was my favourite set. I kept waiting for him to play a song I liked less than the others, so I could have a sit down - it was a long wait, and I was a sweaty mess by the end of it. The best thing about this club, along with the music, is the people attending. Tony, Kev and their wives set the tone with their warm, friendly greeting, while everyone there seems intent on having a great time. Always a great turnout from Northampton, Kettering, Towcester - even a popular national DJ turned up to dance (although he looked more “under the thumb” since he got married 🤣). The Waddesdon Contingent are really looking forward to the next one in late April.

Really looking forward to this, and look forward to seeing you all there. Luv n hugs from The Waddesdon Contingent xx