Blackpool Hilton Weekender Jan07

Review by: Sean & Alison Treacy

Well it’s that time again! This is our 4th visit to the Luxury Soul Weekender @ the Hilton Hotel Blackpool - Is it really 12 months since the last one?

We arrived early Friday afternoon; upon arrival we were greeted by some soulful tunes courtesy of Jim Hargreaves and his trusty sidekick Chris Priestley. As soon as you heard the tunes we knew we were in for a great weekend. What better way to spend a Friday afternoon in January than dancing and drinking with like minded soul fans. It wasn’t long before Larry and Tony from the SSC joined in the fun and games.

After a feast of fine food, it was time to shower and change ready for more of the same.

The evening session kicked off with a fine set by “Andreas Hellingh” followed by Glyn Thornhill, and then our soul mate Roger Williams with his usual mix of soulful tunes.

Then it was off to the Royal Suite to listen to “Real” a mixture between “The Brand New Heavies” and “Incognito”. They were excellent. Then it was off to the Queens to sample some soulful House and Dance courtesy of Mike Chadwick, followed by Colin Curtis and a blinding spot by Bob Jefferies, one of our favourites.

By this time the alcohol had kicked in and we were really up for it. Terry Gee did a great soulful garage set ending @ 3am – we then went back to Lounge for what was a Soulful Anthem Party – DJ’s including Andy Davies and Jim Hargreaves. A fantastic night. We gave up at 4.30pm (tired legs! Well we don’t want to overdo it on the first night do we!)

After about 4 hours sleep it was time to do it all again. Saturday afternoon kicked off with our special friends from “Family Tree” now the “Soulful Sounds of Lythem “AKA Pete Haigh, Andy Lett and Steve Naylor, fantastic two hour feast of soulful jazz and housey choons. The jazz dancers were having a ball and a joy to watch, great guys from the south. The events arena’s were up to there usual standards, thanks to the very hard work of Adrianna and Lorna, very talented ladies and great friends.

Then it was back off to the Lounge to catch “Bigger” bigging it up to a packed room. This is what it’s all about, dancing and seeing all likeminded people singing along to the tunes – a sea of smiling faces just having a ball.

Time for more great food and a quick change ready for the big one tonight.

Baz Maleady kicked it off in the Lounge followed by Terry Gee, and then it was time to watch the main event “Incognito” – who played to a full house. It was banging – singing tunes old and new –just excellent.

After a brief chat to old and new friends it was off to listen to Gary Dennis spinning tunes in the Lounge, around 2am Pete Haigh started his Mecca set in the Lancastrian Suite. He didn’t disappoint, he took everyone on a nostalgic trip down memory lane playing all the old favourites – truly amazing. Back to the Lounge till about 5am (unless your Alison, who had sloped off to bed at 4am – Mecca tunes finished her off).

Before we know it, it’s Sunday afternoon, always a special session for us weekenders – and the Hilton’s no exception.

We bagged a base next to the dancefloor to listen to Roger Williams playing his choice of smooth soulful grooves, great to chill out to. Then it was Richard Searling’s turn to spin some tunes, getting people up dancing (where do we get the energy!).

He really warmed us up for “Bigger” who was at his best, even though he’d lost his voice playing Kirk Franklin the whole place erupted when he played it back to back - Dance floor packed, it was fantastic. I was in heaven.

Alas with all good things it had come to the end for us – a truly amazing soul weekend, on reflection, this is one weekender that any true soul music fan should never miss

Sean & Alison Treacy

back to main events page

homepage