his weekend it’s 50 years since Wigan On line casino hosted the primary of its all-night events, which helped set up the Northern Soul motion.
Particular events are being held round Lancashire to recollect the period when the working class city grow to be an unlikely capital of a subculture phenomenon. For the perfect a part of a decade, dancefloors in Wigan but additionally in north-western hubs corresponding to Stoke and Blackpool had been the place to be on a Friday night time and now these concerned are remembering a particular time in British musical historical past.
Already this 12 months, the 50-year anniversary has been marked with a Northern Soul Promenade and an all-night celebration hosted by BBC Radio 6 Music.
On Saturday night time, legendary Nineteen Seventies DJ Richard Searling will likely be behind the decks as soon as extra for a sold-out night time in Blackpool whereas in Wigan exhibitions will likely be held with images and memorabilia from the period. There are additionally stage performs in celebration of the phenomenon.
What’s Northern Soul?
The music and dance motion grew up within the late Sixties in discos within the North-West as DJs moved past what was well-liked within the UK and explored US soul. After experimentation, DJs discovered a distinct segment for heavy beats and quick tempos of 100bpm or past.
The scene gained a foothold in Lancashire with well-liked venues together with Wigan On line casino, Blackpool Mecca and The Golden Torch in Stoke. DJs started scouring the perfect of black American soul music on main and minor labels because the dancing additionally gained a lifetime of its personal and have become more and more elaborate.
Simon Value wrote within the Guardian: “It’s a scene that has all the time thrived on the uncommon, the obscure and the undiscovered. Because it first emerged within the dancehalls of northern England within the late 60s, it has existed in direct opposition to the very idea of best hits.”
It wasn’t lengthy earlier than the cult scene gained nationwide consideration and was the topic of documentaries and, later, movies.
Wigan On line casino was the primary to carry an all-nighter in September 1973 with its 2am-8am slot being introduced ahead because the demand was so excessive.
Searing informed the BBC: “The 2 large large doorways would have a queue forming proper the best way again down the street, with 500 to 1,000 individuals ready to get in. As quickly as these doorways opened, there’d be a flood of individuals. That odor of condensation, of Brut, of sweat … It was completely wonderful.”
The scene was wild and well-liked for eight years however the starting of the tip got here when Wigan On line casino closed in 1981 It’s now the location of the city’s Grand Arcade buying centre the place a photograph exhibition about Northern Soul is about to be held this weekend.
Why do Northern Soul followers say ‘hold the religion’?
Northern Soul was represented by a clenched fist emblem and the motto “hold the religion”.
As web site Underground says: “The long-lasting clenched fist of the Northern Soul motion signifies the willpower of the soul women and boys to keep up the spirit of the motion and hold the religion.
“It owes its existence to Chris Burton, the proprietor of The Torch membership that dominated the scene from 1971 to 1973.”
What are Northern Soul songs?
Whereas tons of of songs which have been performed at Northern Soul occasions, classics embrace:
Gloria Jones – Tainted Love: The track was initially a B-side however was found within the UK and later obtained to primary when it was lined by Mushy Cell in 1981.
Tobi Legend – Time Will Move You By: Thought-about a traditional to play in direction of the tip of the night time or earlier than the 8am curfew.
Franki Valli – You’re Prepared Now: In keeping with Spotify, this is among the most performed within the Northern Soul catalogue.
