History: Northern Soul
Northern Soul quickly became connected with 'up North' working class culture. But, it came from African American, Soul/ Funk music created by black artists. It started here in the UK in The Twisted Wheel in Manchester alongside the Wigan Casino. It took the UK by storm and gave the working class a new lease of life, a type of escapism. This is what we are trying to capture in our film.
The Music was Disco, Funk and Soul and consisted of fast-paced high Tempo beats and moves to go along with it. The dancing was a fundamental part of Northern Soul that has carried it through the years. High kicks, backdrops, and spins were classic to the moves. It was all in the feet, spins, side steps and keeping it quick was key to Northern Soul Dancing. Though, everyone had a good time regardless.
DJ's were the main focus of the Northern Soul culture when it first came about. They would fly across to America, trying to scout out records never been heard in the UK. Those would bring the biggest crowds and the biggest buzz amongst those who attended. Vinyl Shops were everywhere, before gigs, at clubs and down your local streets. Northern Soul lovers would spend their last pennies on the newest tracks and would play them to death. Vinyl has become huge again so we can see the Northern Soul threaded through our society today as you can find a Funk/ Soul section in any Independent Vinyl Shops today.
The Fashion was practical. It allowed youths to move, to dance and to get those high-kicks in. Wide leg trousers were huge at this time and were seen in nearly every Northern Soul club. T shirts and jeans were worn but later became the mod look. Tailoring and smartness became important as Fred Perry was in every Mod's wardrobe at the time, and still widely popular today. Patches were huge at the time too, representing the original clubs and history of Northern Soul, they were a customisation of the Northern Soul outfit. Later came checks, kick flares and vinyl boots for women. Mini skirts became widely popular not long after too. In our film we are going to be focusing on the later coming of the Mods, when bands such as The Kinks and The Who became huge at that time. We will be looking specifically at Fred Perry Women's style.
Northern Soul was about the mixing of cultures, ages and people from different walks of life, done through music and dance. It was a huge working class culture and a chance from them to escape from the struggles of everyday life. It can still be seen in Sheffield today. The fashion can be seen as can the cult of working class togetherness, working mens clubs etc. The local art and artists are celebrated as well as Northern Soul nights making a reappearance in clubs such as The Leadmill. Sheffield is known for is celebration of Working Class which I what we are wanting to highlight in our film too.
References:https://mixmag.net/feature/northern-soul
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/0/24164508
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/18/how-to-dance-to-northern-soul-1970s-dance
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/northern-soul-where-have-all-the-style-tribes-gone-9807056.html
The Music was Disco, Funk and Soul and consisted of fast-paced high Tempo beats and moves to go along with it. The dancing was a fundamental part of Northern Soul that has carried it through the years. High kicks, backdrops, and spins were classic to the moves. It was all in the feet, spins, side steps and keeping it quick was key to Northern Soul Dancing. Though, everyone had a good time regardless.
DJ's were the main focus of the Northern Soul culture when it first came about. They would fly across to America, trying to scout out records never been heard in the UK. Those would bring the biggest crowds and the biggest buzz amongst those who attended. Vinyl Shops were everywhere, before gigs, at clubs and down your local streets. Northern Soul lovers would spend their last pennies on the newest tracks and would play them to death. Vinyl has become huge again so we can see the Northern Soul threaded through our society today as you can find a Funk/ Soul section in any Independent Vinyl Shops today.
The Fashion was practical. It allowed youths to move, to dance and to get those high-kicks in. Wide leg trousers were huge at this time and were seen in nearly every Northern Soul club. T shirts and jeans were worn but later became the mod look. Tailoring and smartness became important as Fred Perry was in every Mod's wardrobe at the time, and still widely popular today. Patches were huge at the time too, representing the original clubs and history of Northern Soul, they were a customisation of the Northern Soul outfit. Later came checks, kick flares and vinyl boots for women. Mini skirts became widely popular not long after too. In our film we are going to be focusing on the later coming of the Mods, when bands such as The Kinks and The Who became huge at that time. We will be looking specifically at Fred Perry Women's style.
Northern Soul was about the mixing of cultures, ages and people from different walks of life, done through music and dance. It was a huge working class culture and a chance from them to escape from the struggles of everyday life. It can still be seen in Sheffield today. The fashion can be seen as can the cult of working class togetherness, working mens clubs etc. The local art and artists are celebrated as well as Northern Soul nights making a reappearance in clubs such as The Leadmill. Sheffield is known for is celebration of Working Class which I what we are wanting to highlight in our film too.
References:https://mixmag.net/feature/northern-soul
http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/0/24164508
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2014/sep/18/how-to-dance-to-northern-soul-1970s-dance
https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/fashion/features/northern-soul-where-have-all-the-style-tribes-gone-9807056.html
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