At the age of 14, it explodes into my life at a youth club in Leigh.Įverybody is dancing like zombies, Top of The Pops style, when suddenly they put a record on that clears the floor. In a handful of clubs the evolutionary process that quietly morphed late-stage mods into suede-heads and then soul boys is underway. To alleviate the tension there is something called pop music, spoon-fed to you via “the charts” by, among others, a guy called Jimmy Savile. Not just the strikes and power cuts but the ordinary chaos that surrounds us: sports violence, knifings, terrorism, violent teachers, and paedophile priests. The country is spiralling into social unrest. Picture the scene: the first Wigan allnighter opens on 23 September, 1973 amid a world of bleakness that even the brown-stained TV archive cannot do justice to. Northern Soul’s latest karmic go-around involves very young kids from Wigan-aged 15 to 18-not only dancing to rare vinyl but wearing the full outfit: wide trousers and white socks copied from Tony Palmer’s 1977 documentary Wigan Casino.īut the second law of sociology is cruel: all members of revived subcultures are doomed to run into people who’ve survived the original thing and have kept it going underground, defiantly wearing the fashion even as the waistbands have to be let out. It’s the first law of sociology that all youth subcultures eventually come back. It was an endless, graceful movement, hands wedged to his hips, eyes fixed to a space beyond the horizon. There, in a steam-bath humidity that reeked of Brut, sweat and cigarettes, I executed spins and back-flips until I dropped-which was about half past four, doubled up with stomach cramps from the Bronchipax.īy 8 AM, I had recovered to the point where the following memory could imprint itself onto my brain: a kid with a quiff, in a leather jacket, doing long, slow spins through a shaft of sunlight. I shoved my way, like everybody else, through the door to the Casino and onto its vast, sprung maple dancefloor. That got us into a café nearby, packed-not with soul boys as I expected-but with music journalists from London, cool Italians in micro-sunglasses, American vinyl collectors and other global bohemians.īut I cared nothing for them. This is sure to resurrect some classic golden memories!Īt Soul Town expect classic Northern Soul, Motown, 60’s club classics plus 2 live performances from Martha Reeves & The Vandellas.We reached Wigan Casino around midnight with my mate’s cousin who was a “face” on the Northern Soul scene.
Completing the line up is Manchester’s own Black Bee Soul Club who has been bringing Northern Soul to Manchester’s young, and forever young, souls for many years! They’ll be opening the evening alongside a troupe of professional Northern Soul dancers who will be stepping and spinning on our traditional raised bouncy dance-floor. Long time friend of Russ Winstanley, Alan King is coming down to play too! Having been on the scene since the 60s, expect knowledge like no other. He was at the centre of the Northern Soul movement and we are extremely excited for him to bring a slice of that spirit to Manchester! Joining Martha + the Vandellas is DJ Russ Winstanley, northern soul DJ + founder of ‘Soul All Nighters’ at Wigan Casino a party that won a plethora of awards during its prime. He will be doing special Northern Soul + mod classics set!
His legendary Good Times parties have travelled around the UK causing ripples and bringing amazing vibes. He is the cofounder of London’s KISS FM and has been pushing the boundaries of the UK club culture for decades.
Next up, Norman Jay is unquestionably one of the most respected and popular DJs around today. We are honoured to have them fly into the UK just for the occasion.
They’ve produced timeless hits such as ‘Dancing in the Street’, ‘(Love is like) A Heatwave’ and ‘Jimmy Mack’ amongst many others. Martha is Motown’s ultimate diva and one of the biggest names in Motown history. When looking for the perfect presentation of the Motown sound and style, few fit the bill as well as Martha Reeves & The Vandellas. Soul Town launches at Albert Hall (Manchester) this July with American vocal group Martha Reeves and the Vandellas headlining the event. Note: Venue change from Albert Hall to Gorilla.ĭue to unforeseen circumstances Soul Town featuring Martha Reeves & the Vandellas that’s taking place this Saturday 22nd July is having to move from Albert Hall to Gorilla.Īll tickets remain valid for the new venue, opening times remain the same, and Gorilla is only few minutes walk from Albert Hall too!
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