Northern Soul Music: The Best Films About It
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Discover the best films about Northern Soul Music, a genre that emerged from the British mod scene in the late 1960s.
What is Northern Soul?
Northern Soul is a music and dance movement that emerged in the late 1960s in the North of England. It was inspired by the Black American soul music of the time, and the style quickly spread across the country.
The best Northern Soul films capture the energy and passion of the music and the people who love it. They offer a rare glimpse into a world that is often misunderstood, and they ultimately celebrate the power of music to bring people together.
Here are some of the best films about Northern Soul:
1. “Northern Soul” (2014)
This documentary film tells the story of the Northern Soul movement through the eyes of those who were there. It features interviews with some of the key figures in the scene, as well as rare archive footage.
2. “Soulboy” (2010)
This fictional film follows a group of teens in 1974 as they discover the joys of Northern Soul music. It’s an uplifting coming-of-age story that captures the spirit of the music perfectly.
3. “The Possession” (2012)
This thriller is set against the background of Northern Soul music, and features a number of classic tracks on its soundtrack. It’s a dark film, but it’s one that will stay with you long after you’ve seen it.
4. “Madchester: The Sound Of The North” (2006)
This documentary looks at how Northern Soul music influenced a whole generation in Manchester during the 1980s and 1990s. It’s an essential watch for any fan of British indie music.
The History of Northern Soul
Northern soul is a music and dance movement that emerged in Northern England in the late 1960s from the British mod scene. Inspired by Motown, Stax and Atlantic soul records, Northern soul dancing is characterized by fast-paced footwork and intricate choreography.
The first known use of the phrase “Northern soul” was in reference to a summer music festival held in 1967 at the Blackpool Mecca, a popular nightspot for mods in the North of England. The festival featured American soul bands such as Booker T. & The MGs, Otis Redding and Wilson Pickett, as well as British R&B acts such as The Who and The Small Faces.
The popularity of Northern soul quickly spread beyond Blackpool, and by the early 1970s there were clubs dedicated to playing this type of music all over England, Scotland and Wales. Many of these clubs were located in coal mining towns in Northern England, which is how the movement got its name.
Despite its working class roots, Northern soul has always been a predominantly white phenomenon. This is largely due to the fact that most of the original records that were played at Northern soul clubs were by black American artists who were not widely known in Britain at the time.
In recent years, Northern soul has seen something of a revival, with new generations of fans discovering the music and dance style through films such as Soulboy (2010) and Soulgirl (2018). If you’re interested in learning more about this fascinating musical movement, check out our list of the best films about Northern soul.
The Best Films About Northern Soul
There are a number of great films about Northern Soul, a genre of music that originated in the North of England in the late 1960s. These films capture the energy and excitement of the music and the culture surrounding it.
‘Northern Soul’ (2014)
This film tells the story of the rise of Northern Soul music in the UK in the 1970s, through the eyes of two young fans. It explores the phenomenon of the all-nighters held at venues such as the Wigan Casino, and how the music connected with a whole generation of young people.
‘Soulboy’ (2010)
“Soulboy” is a 2010 British film directed by Shimmy Marcus. The film is a coming-of-age story set in 1974 against the backdrop of the Northern soul music scene. Tomas Boyce stars as Joe Scott, a working-class teenager who discovers the joys of soul music and falls in love with a girl from a different social class. The film also stars Ralph Ineson, Lisa Stansfield, and Jamesetta Duffy.
‘The Spirit of 45’ (2013)
This film was directed by Ken Loach and celebrates the post-war cultural phenomenon that was Northern Soul. It tells the story of how working class people in the North of England came together to create their own music and dance style, which would go on to become world-famous. The film features interviews with many of the original dancers and musicians, as well as footage of them still dancing today.
‘Love Is All: The Film About Northern Soul’ (2006)
This is a documentary about the Northern Soul scene, featuring interviews with some of the key figures in its history. It also includes footage of rare and classic soul tracks being played at all-nighters in small clubs around the UK.
‘Northern Soul: Lost In Music’ (2007)
This is another documentary about Northern Soul, this time focused on how the music has continued to thrive in recent years, despite being largely ignored by the mainstream media. It features interviews with a new generation of soul fans and DJs, as well as some of the original stars of the scene.
