Sydney Soul Weekender #18 The NASH! 23 – 25 October.
It’s A Good Good Feeling!
Few events on the Soul calendar in Australia can compete with the Australian National Northern Soul Weekender. Now in its 18th year, the bar is set to be raised even higher when the “Nash” comes to Sydney in October.
This year, Australia’s Northern Soul community will converge on the Emerald City, with DJs spinning rare soul vinyl over four unforgettable nights. Expect a huge crowd of passionate dedicated soulies from all over Australia and Sydney, as the National Weekender lifts the lid on the personal collections of Australia’s best Northern Soul DJs, who will no doubt play well-known favourites, as well as unearthed gems that the Northern Soul scene is so famous for breaking. There will be 60s stompers, Philly Soul classics and Modern Soul rarities – no Soul stone will remain unturned at the National Weekender.
Your weekend starts at the Hollywood Hotel in Surry Hills on Thursday 22nd October from 6pm onwards for the traditional “meet and greet”, where local Sydney DJs will provide the soundtrack in preparation for the nights to follow.
On Friday 23rd October and Saturday 24th October, between 7 pm – 3 am on both nights, the place to be will be The Manning Bar at Sydney University, with the main 60s Northern Soul floor and the alternative room featuring R ‘n’ B, Crossover and Modern Soul so cater for all tastes, both with wooden dance floors.
The weekender ends with an all-dayer on Sunday 25th October from 2 pm – 12 am at the iconic Bondi Pavilion, overlooking the very famous Bondi Beach also equipped with a sprung wooden dance floor.
For the curious and potentially uninitiated, Northern Soul was originally an underground music scene that emerged independently in the north of England in the 1960s. It was spawned by a shared love for the best of American Soul music, particularly the recordings of lesser-known artists, released in limited number by small regional American record labels. The heavy beats, fast tempo and amazing vocals of these soul records drew thousands of dancers, aficionados and record collectors to Northern Soul clubs in the 1970s. Venues such as Golden Torch, Wigan Casino and Blackpool Mecca, amongst others, became famous for unearthing rare Soul records and creating a scene where a signature dance and dress style set the Soul scene apart from the mainstream. The Northern Soul scene is as healthy as it ever was, with Northern Soul nights now happening all over the world. The scene enjoys a loyal following across Australia, where regular local soul nights held in many Australian states, as well as local soul radio shows, continue the traditions started in those now famous clubs.
So whether you hail from Wigan, Bondi or Oodnadatta, if you love nothing more than to listen to (and dance to) fantastic rare soul records and to hang out with friendly like-minded people, the 18th Australian National Northern Soul Weekender in Sydney in October is your recommended destination.
What: Australian National Northern Soul Weekender (The Nash)
Where: Manning Bar, Hollywood Hotel & Bondi Pavillion
When: 22nd to 25th of October 2015