Seventeen years ago, in a small Scottish town of Berwick upon Tweed, 600 people descended upon a caravan park to dance to modern soul music and witnessed the beginnings of what would later become the worldwide phenomenon that is Southport Weekender. Moving to Pontins at Southport back in 1989, Newcastle born, founder and hedonist Alex Lowes and his team have staged a staggering 35 weekender events showcasing the cream of soulful music in its many forms from all over the globe. Event no. 35 is took place on November 5/6/7 with 5 purpose built state of the art indoor arenas.

In the Powerhouse room house gods such as Frankie Knuckles, Martin Solveig, Aaron Ross, Frankie Feliciano, Kerri Chandler, David Morales, and a crazy Matthias Matty Heilbronn, (who seemed to become a permanent stage fixture dancing merrily away to other jocks) along with live stunning performances from Bah Samba, Brand New Heavies and not forgetting Tortured Soul.. who delivered an unstopaable set of pure class.. what a voice !!!..

Southport wouldn't be Southport without the legendary connoisseurs room with Bob Jeffries, Dr Bob Jones, Norman Jay, Terry Jones, Danny Krivit providing a large variety ofNorthern soul, funk, rare groove and disco selection. Over in the ultra cool Bacardi B-Bar, live percussion drove the room to boiling point as Basil Black II Basic drummed to a feast of jazz, broken beat, funk and all things soulful with a little help from Bah Samba's percussionist with a musical soundtrack courtessy of Kev Beadle, Snowboy, Jazzanova, Theo Parrish, Gilles Peterson, 4 Hero's Dego and Benji B to name but a few.. If large bass was to be had then the Funkbase room was where it was at as Radio One's Tim Westwood, 1Xtra's DJ Diggz alongside the likes of Steve Sutherland, Ronnie Herel and Shortee Blitz provided hip hop and urban cuts as old favourities Loose Ends performed live along with live PA'S from Nu Life and Nate James... well that was some of the music.. add that 6,000 nutty dance folk, 3 days of no sleep, chalet parties galore and more booze consumed than a brewery could hold.. and you've got one hell of a weekender.. for details of the next event check southportweekender.co.uk

Sarah F (indamixworldwide.com – London)

GALLERY SOUTHPORT WEEKENDER #35  <<< click here >>>