I wonder why no one talks about the abysmal quality of music at Fresher’s week? It’s most likely to do with pack mentality. Trying to fit in with people you met four hours ago, trying to appear upbeat and easygoing or (in my case) trying not to appear like a judgemental douchelord. However, I have decided it is time to speak out. Enough is enough people. There are only so many times one can dance through a night of generic pseudo-grime/grimy eurotrash (F you David Guetta and and co.) (See below for reference)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=49EhuzrRj8I&ab_channel=Iltapalanyymi

 

What is it about poorly produced, lyrically vapid dance songs that gets people going so much? Is this just a case of repetition beating actual standards? Or is everyone just listening to this shit because they view it as the ‘normal’ thing to do. Or maaaaybe people actually like it?! It’s hard to imagine, but then again I’m the queen of judgemental music taste so perhaps I’m not the most fair judge of all this.

So, needless to say, when Fresher’s week (or Fresher’s month as it’s now become in London) rolled around, I began to feel queasy at the prospect of attending THE BIGGEST FRESHERS EVENT IN THE ENTIRE UNIVERSE. Complete with foam, unnecessary and sad looking ‘performers’ and even (ahem Coronet) a dwarf… I decided that a policy of avoidance had to be put in place so as not to risk the possibility of pissing off new friends with my constant pretentious moaning. Instead, I have the pleasure of moaning to you, our loyal members, who will most likely appreciate my frustrations (please).

However, on Saturday night I took a break from milling about in public spaces trying desperately to make friends and ventured to Peckham to attend the famous ‘Soul Train’ night at a venue called Bussey Building. At this point I’m going to let the event speak for itself: “The South London Soul Train welcomes autumn with a radiant roast of the absolute finest in funk, soul, groove, brass, disco, motown n’ hop, deliciously delivered over four floors by a red hot collective of most excellent DJs and bands. Part of our ongoing, twice a month mission to seriously funk you up.”

RED ALERT: they used the phrase “FUNK YOU UP”!!!! We are not alone in our quest to make all all the people in the world appreciate what it is to funk.

Now, clubbing may not be your bag. That’s fair. Why would you pay real people money to go out and smell other people’s B.O., get charged 7.50 for a vodka tonic and listen to the worlds WORST music played on some DJs iPod? I’m not sure why, yet we all keep doing it (me included). What this night taught me (yes, you read that right, last night the DJ legitimately changed my life), was that we don’t have to put up with this crap anymore. You know why? Because there are people in this world who don’t have shitty music taste. Where they come from doesn’t matter, what they wear doesn’t matter, heck even their sweat levels don’t matter, because at the end of the day all we wanna do is rock! RIGHT?

And boy did we rock. I would go as far as to say I danced better than I’ve ever danced before. For those that have seen, I know, it’s hard to imagine. BUT I DID. Because I actually felt like I was on the TV show ‘Soul Train’ (see below for reference). And by golly, is that a wonderful thing. I feel like my whole life needs to be this funky. Sadness? Pfft, no time! I have funking to do. Tired? Oh please, how could one get tired whilst dancing to the one and only James Brown? Bored? NO SIREE, bored is not a word disco understands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEI85hYB_IE&ab_channel=GeorgeJohn

 

There are 3 floors, one of which is an inexplicable quiet space that was showing the Jackson 5ive (their cartoon) all night. I’m not entirely sure why, but it was pretty darn cool. There were then two rooms on the second floor and one massive room on the first. It doesn’t stop there, because downstairs in the basement there is a hot and schweaty room that is strangely appealing, despite the moist walls. There is also a very pleasant smoking area, where friendly souls can go to cool down after a long bout of maniacal grooving.

Highlights were the very friendly and un-intimidatingly hipster crowd, the raucous Northern Soul room and the reasonably priced drinks. (For those that don’t know what Northern Soul is see the below link to a Northern Soul mix created by a DJ at Soul Train and watch the movie ‘Northern Soul’ to get an idea). I’m not gonna lie, I felt like I was in the 70s, dancing away with all my friends and fighting the system through a combination of afros, bunking off school and smoking cigarettes. I felt cool. And who the hell doesn’t like feeling cool?

https://www.mixcloud.com/Mukatsuku/mukatsuku-northern-soul60s-soul-selection-vol-1/

So go, brothers and sisters, go and groove for God’s sake. Life is stressful enough without having to spend 50 pounds on a night you didn’t even enjoy. Spend 50 pounds on the funkiest night you will ever have, and trust me, you won’t regret it.

Happy grooving,

Emma

xxx