It could have jarred hearing the underground music of Northern Soul rendered so properly in the glossy environs of the Royal Albert Hall. But with arrangements from Joe Duddell and Fiona Brice – performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra – the music that lit up spit-and-sawdust venues in Northern England was given extra shimmer and splendour, while still delivering the propulsive attack that powered a Northern Soul all-nighter.
DJ and co-curator Stuart Maconie did some welcome scene-setting explaining how industrial towns in the north gravitated towards the soul deep cuts that never saw commercial breakthrough stateside. Audience members cheered as Maconie reeled off venues like the Blackpool Mecca, Stoke’s Golden Torch, and the Wigan Casino, likely remembering long, sweaty nights tearing the dancefloor up, squeezing every last drop of freedom out of the weekend.
The concert’s first set began tentatively, marred by sound issues which left vocalists under-amplified in places. But by the fourth or fifth song, the stars began to align. The evening’s vocal talent served up plenty of delights: Brendan Reilly’s falsetto wails on Edwin Starr’s “Time”, Vula Malinga deftly navigating the modulations on Tobi Legend’s “Time Will Pass You By”, Frida Touray’s coquettish treatment of Sandi Sheldon’s “You’re Gonna Make Me Love You.”
Lancashire-based vocalist Darrell Smith also gave impressive heft to R. Dean Taylor’s “There’s a Ghost in my House,” while Natalie Palmer sassed her way through Judy Street’s “What”. Nick Shirm, the unfortunate victim of sound issues in the first set, was able to redeem himself with a passionately sung performance of Dean Parrish’s “I’m On My Way”.
As the second set performances grew in confidence, the audience response soared in tandem, leading to a cacophony of whooping, stomping, and applause of a kind I’ve never seen at the BBC Proms before. Any of my initial scepticism was soon banished.
All photography courtesy of BBC / Andy Paradise
26 Comments
I was disappointed that the proms did a Northern Soul tribute and that the BBC decided not to televise it. There are lots of people up and down the country would have definitely tuned into this.
It will be televised on the 1st of August I believe.
Saturday 26 August 2023 !!
I am watching and dancing to it now!
I think it is being televised at some point. The event was certainly being filmed.
It went out last night, 26 August, on BBC2… There’s also an all nighter with Craig Charles on Radio 6 on I think 9 sept.
Saturday 26th August in the evening is when it’s being broadcast.
Enjoyed every second!
I enjoyed it. The atmosphere was electronic. Would have loved to have seen it live on TV. When will it be on TV?
I love Northern Soul music and was really pleased that it has become a Prom concert. I have really enjoyed listening to this and am looking forward to hearing and seeing it again when it is broadcast. Well done to all the musicians and vocalists.
Hilarious, staged at the Albert Hall in London which as is far removed from the Casino and Highland room as you could imagine, truly tragic and why was it not staged up North in one of the many arenas capable of taking a full orchestra
I couldn’t agree more. I didn’t even bother to watch it as it’s a fucking tragedy. ‘northern’ soul is well and truly dead.
I love soul music but some of the shit that they used to play at venues is well piss.
Stopped going to dances in the 80’s. Pretentious as hell, especially the ‘djs’
No point collecting these days as it’s all just bullshit.
… and no i’m not a grumpy old cunt. Just sick of another genre of music spoiled by folk who can say nothing bad to say about it, and will dance and listen to any old shite.
Ironic venue in the south !
I enjoyed being 63 now but I would have preferred more if the real dance classics then the roof would have gone off
Watched on TV this evening, one of the best and entertaining shows I’ve seen in a very long time.
Love Northern Soul.
Keep the Faith
If you missed it, treat yourself and go to iplayer……..NOW !
Fan flippin tastic. Briliant the BBC , best thing thats been on TV for yonks!!!!! Love love loved everything, orchestra, vocalists, would loved to have been there!!
Utterly amazing that the BBC can put on an event like this without any reference to drugs – speed.
I went to Leeds University from 1967 t0 1970 and used to frequent Northern Soul clubs in manchester. I would estimate that 95% of those attending these raves which started at about 10.30pm and went through to 8.30Am the following morning were high. In fact without speed Northern Soul would never have happened. Why is it that in 2023 we are too scared to report the truth and the BBC will never show pictures of individuals enjoying themselves when high.
Just watched …brilliant show
Thanks to all
I agree, really good of the Proms to have covered Northern Soul. Well Done, Took me back to my my youth in the Early 1970’s. Thank You.
Best Saturday night program for years. Great music.
Long live Northern Soul.
I wonder why The Snake was not performed on the evening?
Cos it’s not Northern Soul!! It’s cheesy pop crap!
Just caught up with it …. Class …. Some fare chanters fae the young team xxbiglovexx
Can it be streamed anywhere?
Wish the bbc would release this on vinyl .
Excellent! Living here in Australia for the last forty or so years but through the program was able to reminisce about my time at Blackpool, the Torch, Va-Va’s and Burnley Mecca. Brilliant viewing!
Just watched the Northern Soul set again at the Royal Albert Hall. Keeps getting better each time. This should be a regular set on the programme, especially seeing the Royals enjoying it sooo much. Keep it up BBC.