My first experience and introduction to Northern Soul was at the Underdog Soul Club, hosted in Kemptown’s Sidewinder pub. Used to the stereotypical university night-out experiences, Y2K nights and chalk Mondays in both first and second year, I had no idea what to expect walking into Sidewinder at 9:30 pm on a rainy Saturday evening. Stepping out of the pouring rain, I didn’t remotely expect anything that resembled a night out at one of my favourite pubs in Brighton, but I was surprised to see the wooden-floored pub space already turned into a small dancefloor.
The heated garden had also turned into a pit stop for dancers having a drink before the dancefloor started to pick up at around 10 pm. It was sort of like stepping into a different era, the scene had its own unique fashionable dress style for the 60s soul and RnB playing – button-downs, collared polo shirts, A-line skirts, vests and DJs in dapper suits. Mustering up the courage to get on the dancefloor while everyone seemed to know all the moves, moving to the 60s beats and rhythms, we slowly got into the groove of things.
People from all demographics seemed present, everyone dancing young in soul, ranging from young adults to an older crowd, including a lovely older gentleman who taught us some moves, which made me feel less awkward on the dancefloor. He thankfully didn’t try to teach us his dance move incorporating a high kick – I fear my dance skills attempting that would not have been very successful.
The DJ booth consisted of two record players with stacks of vinyl piled up, and behind the record players were the Underdog Soul Club DJs, including Roger Moffat, Alex D’arby and Karen Breakell. With the dance floor right in front of the DJs, it made the venue seem cosy, enhanced by Sidewinder’s classic vintage decor, faux garlands and Christmassy fairylights. The atmosphere was a space of freedom, good feelings and being able to move to the music how I wanted to.
Photos: Shiqin Ong
I had the chance to talk to Alex D’Arby after the event and learned that the genre has been part of his life for over 30 years and that DJing has been part of it for about 10. With previous experience in live music and then switching to local Djing, he is now apart of the Underdog Soul Club collective, loving these events, and describing the “ anticipation prior to the event hoping that everyone is going to have a good time” and feeling it come to fruition “when the floor is full and the heat starts to rise and the windows steam up, that’s when you know you have connected as a DJ with your audience.”
Doing a bit more research into the genre, I learned that Northern Soul primarily consists of American soul music from the 60s and 70s that is followed along with high-energy dance moves, spinning, footwork and fast movement. Originating from working-class northern English men and women, the Northern Soul movement derived from the Mod subculture of the 1960s. The combination of American soul and Motown music generated unique styles and integrated itself into dance culture. It’s the rarity of the music that makes the genre so unique, and quoting Alex, “ music of the underdog, tracks that should have been huge but never made it to the charts of the time, forgotten artists and bands waiting to be discovered by a new generation.”
Popular Northern Soul artists played include Franki Valli and the Four Seasons, Tobi Legend and Marvin Gaye. With Brighton’s personal connection to the Mod subculture, host of the annual Brighton Mod Weekender and famous filming locale of the film Quadrophenia, Northern Soul fits perfectly in. Alex tells me about the uniqueness of the genre, often defined as a “broad church” with predominant focus on 60s and 70s soul. Alex further highlights, alongside the smart dress many turn up in, a “leather soled shoe is a must if you want to glide across the floor”. However, dress code in contemporary northern soul events is much more relaxed.
In recent years, Northern Soul has experienced a comeback all around the UK, and the Brighton-based community hosts events including the Brighton Soul Club hosted in Komedia by Charlie, aka @charlie.thesoulboy on Instagram, and other pubs in town are home to various Soul Clubs, usually one-off events, including the Deptford Northern Soul Club at the Concorde 2. Other collectives which have garnered much community support include collectives in Bristol and Lewes. The easiest way to find such events, as Alex recommends, is to keep an eye on Facebook and Instagram or pop into stores including XLENT, Jump the Gun, Across the Tracks and Modfather Clothing in the Laines, where you’ll find flyers and posters for future events. He also highlights two other Brighton-based collectives: Too Darn Soulful and Across the Tracks.
To me, wandering into the Sidewinder pub was a gateway to learn more of this lovely community, one which I would definitely return to. It was a unique experience in which to learn some new dance moves, a casual drink if desired or just a good time listening to good music. I believe Alex articulates it the best – “The best thing to do if you are Northern Soul curious is to come along and try it out–the vibe is always good and very friendly and welcoming and we love to see new faces. Be brave and embrace songs that you may never have heard before but that we are sure you will grow to love–it’s a beautiful scene and it needs you.”
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