NORTHERN SOUL REVIVAL AND THE SECRETS OF THE SCOTTISH SCENE
Somewhere tucked away in the deep dark depths of a Rutherglen industrial estate, I found myself in amongst the dancers at a Northern Soul Day Disco.
Northern Soul is a dance and music movement started in the 1970s amongst mostly working class communities in the North of England. The music at the core of it all is high tempo 60s and 70s American Soul and in recent years Northern Soul has seemingly shot right back up into the limelight.
Northern Soul in a Town Near You
I was lucky enough to be invited along to a Northern Soul Day Disco to take photos, talk to the crowd of regulars and see what all the fuss is about.
On my adventure into the world of Northern Soul, I had the honour of talking to the wonderful Elaine Fitzpatrick, a Northern Soul DJ who frequents these events. We got to discuss music, Northern Soul history and her roots on the scene.
In the 80s Elaine was a mod. She fell in love with the music and fashion of the scene. She made her return to the scene in 2017, going to dances with her sister and also signing up for a dance class on a Monday evening. The music was a mix of Motown, 60s and Northern Soul with Northern Soul of course being her favourite.
Elaine had great insights on what its like to be a Northern Soul DJ. In the earlier years of the Northern Soul movement, DJs and collectors would scour through record shops to find hidden Northern Soul gems. The DJs all have extensive and impressive collections of records. There was friendly competition amongst them all to see who had the rarest records. Attendees would travel for miles just to hear certain songs because their favourite tracks couldn’t be heard anywhere else. Nowadays, the creation of software like Shazam and Spotify has made it significantly more difficult to gatekeep your favourite tunes and most people now will tell you the name of the song if you ask.
This doesn’t mean the value of those rare records has gone down however. Original pressings of “Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)” by Frank Wilson, of which there are supposedly only 2 left, can sell for up to £25K!!
Although Northern Soul typically refers to the Soul music and dance style popularised in the 70s, Northern Soul events have a little something for everyone. From Ska to Motown and every soul song in-between what’s not to like?!
The wonderful Woody (pictured above) is the organiser of many of these events, including the one I got to attend, and runs her own Northern Soul dance classes. She’s so full of energy and so clearly has a deep rooted passion for the scene.
There is an incredible sense of community here. Everyone knows everyone, you’re never without a dancing partner and the dance floor is always full.
Northern Soul Gone Global
Northern Soul has had a massive resurgence recently with artists like Brooke Combe skyrocketing to fame. I believe that with everything going on in the world, people are desperate for an escape and many are finding it in their communities. Listening to up-tempo lively music with a community of people who just want to dance and have fun is exactly what people need.
Brooke in particular is helping champion this Northern Soul revival. She has just completed a tour across America supporting Benson Boone, sold out her own UK headline tour and is performing in the iconic Barrowland Ballroom in November supporting Jalen Ngonda, another modern day Soul icon.
“Northern Soul: Still Burning” is a film currently in cinemas exploring the impact and history of Northern Soul specifically the legendary nights at the Wigan Casino. It’s a deep dive into the dancing, the drugs and the community who put the foundations in place for the 90s rave and clubbing scene.
There are Northern Soul events on everyday all over the world. From Blackpool to Tenerife and Prague, the dancers I met in Rutherglen were telling me all about the countless adventures across Europe they have had together. Northern Soul has truly grown from its roots in the Wigan Casino to being a world wide phenomenon being shared in stadiums across the US.
There’s still so much more to explore when it comes to Northern Soul. I truly encourage anyone who feels this might be even slightly up their street to get their dancing shoes on and get out to a Northern Soul disco near them.
I want to end on sone insight and advice for those wanting to learn more about Northern Soul and get involved from some of the enthusiasts I met on that fateful day in Rutherglen, Glasgow.
“When it comes to the dancing, I didn’t get into the Northern Soul scene until my 40s. When I was younger, I was a big-time clubber – out raving most weekends to house, techno, and electro – but I listen and dance to pretty much anything: punk, ska, reggae, all sorts. I don’t take myself too seriously on the dance floor; I usually just let rip and have a laugh. When a friend saw the Northern Soul dance class advertised in my home town, I was right there! I loved it from the moment I stepped onto the dance floor for our first song. Northern Soul is a beautiful scene with superb music, cool moves and the loveliest people you could meet. What’s not to love?”
Peter McCallum (photo Olivia McCallum)
There are Northern Soul nights happening all over, but I think finding a dance class in your home town or city is a great way to make friends in the scene. For many of the folks I have met there, Northern Soul is a way of life, and spending time with them – chatting, dancing and going to events – has brought me so much joy.” –
Sharon Harvey (photo – Olivia McCallum)
“The Northern Soul group are a big family and they have been to many places together, two coaches at one point travelling to Blackpool and everyone staying at the same hotel to enjoy the winter gardens Northern Soul event, they have been known to flash mob dance at a train station, dance up the isle on the train and generally just have good fun wherever they go.
(Advice for someone wishing to get into Northern soul) I would say go for it, you will never look back its a life changer, the music, the social nights/days out, the dancing and the people.” – Elaine Fitzpatrick
Woody’s Soul Club makes a return to Rutherglen on the 23rd of May. Grab your dance partner, dust off your dancing shoes and get to the dance floor!!
