Preview OF Southport Weekender 49 preview - Butlins, Minehead, 10th, 11th, 12th May

Would you believe it! Here we are again about to go to Southport Weekender!! Time is zooming past these days and with the crazy weather, changing world and pressures of society there's one thing we can rely on to be good and that is Southport Weekender! SPW 49 truly shows that the spirit and desire for the continuation of this fantastic event is as strong as ever. Selling out in record time again despite the sirens of austerity and uncertainty that we constantly hear, the Southport crowd are still hungry to party and I'm sure everyone can agree with me right now that it's time PLAY!! Thank goodness! 

Southport Weekender

What's guaranteed at Southport Weekender is QUALITY and TRUE professionalism. Every time I've attended the event I've always learnt something, gained inspiration and have the opportunity to let go of life's pressures. The whole vibe is set to get you dancing to the best music in the world delivered by the most prolific and popular DJ's/artists in the world. Expect a brilliant venue, great sound systems, excellent lighting and of the course the people.

Once again Southport Weekender has created a premier line up and are showcasing some fantastic upcoming and well established musicians to bring the party to us.  Butlins, Minehead is now firmly established as the home to Southport Weekender and after the transition from the previous home in the town of Southport a couple of years ago, I noticed the considerable adjustments made to maintain the superior trademark quality SPW is known for last year. 

I really appreciated the warmer weather, the trip to the beach and the addition of the SuncéBeat Dome last year. I reminisce how SPW 48 truly brought a feeling of the start of summer for me and provided those magical moments that you can never predict but you keep forever. I'm really thankful to get a dose of soul, house, r'n'b, disco, progressive jazz, d'n'b, funk, reggae, garage, nu-soul and hip hop. With The Powerhouse, the Funkbase, the Beat Bar and the Connoisseurs Corner ready to ignite, it's time get those dancing shoes on people and let loose! With the Sun and Moon Pub rocking last year and a new addition The Mixcloud Dome there will be plenty to choose from this year. Also for those that have a ticket to the After Parties they can truly count themselves lucky with a brilliant selection of events to attend. 

There are some great acts to look out for. D'wele starts the live acts for SPW 49, a great choice to kick off with as a true soul artist setting the tone for the weekend. There's no doubt the Funkbase on Saturday night will be absolutely amazing with Arrested Development and Yasiin Bay aka Mos Def performing live, and also some great DJ's such as Cash Money, Shortee Blitz, Ronnie Herel and the brilliant DJ EZ always smashes it in there! There is Chris Dave & The Drumheadz, Jose James and Mala In Cuba playing live in the Beat Bar during the weekend. Also Mel'isa Morgan and Natasha Watts playing live in the Connoisseurs Corner, as well as Melba Moore performing at the  'Legendary Soul Session' on Saturday afternoon that is not to be missed, especially if you've never attended that before, there's nowhere like it on Earth! Friday night in The Powerhouse with live PA Stee Downes and DJ sets from the mighty Dennis Ferrer and DJ Sneak to truly set the weekender alight! I'm truly looking forward to seeing how Adeva smashes the Southport crowd on Saturday night; expect true 'Respect' at that one. However I reckon one the best events of SPW 49 or possibly to ever occur at weekender will be 'Body & Soul'. The Legendary NYC Sunday afternoon party touches down to Southport Weekender for the very first time; no doubt this will be a not to be missed event!

Obviously the DJ line up is still stellar and I like seeing a lot of emerging talent on the line up as well. We've got the classic Southport Weekender veterans like Kerri Chandler, Giles Peterson, Spen and Karizma, Paul 'Trouble' Anderson, Bob Jefferies, and Trevor Nelson. It's great to see the return of David Rodigan and AtJazz. Can't wait to check out prolific DJ's such as Goldie, emerging talent like Miguel Campbell and Benji B, plus a host of other quality DJ's like DJ LeFtO, Recloose, Ralf Gum and not forgetting the brilliant resident Southport DJ's that truly bring a unique sound and atmosphere to the mix. 

By the time Southport Weekender arrives I think all the regular attendees are ready for a good dance and truly look forward to hooking up with some positive, like-minded people. The SuncéBeat Dome looks great this year. Last year it was one of the best places to be and the line up is definitely going to add to the magic. In fact bringing the summer breeze of Croatia might be the ticket to the keep the party going but for now I'm sure, whatever the weather,  SPW 49 is lining up to be a cracker! 

Tareck Ghoneim


Official Site - http://www.southportweekender.co.uk

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