Well. Lets start the Southport Weekender 42 Report. But where to begin? What to put in it? Let’s start, for once, not with all the good stuff but with some apologies. First of all to everybody involved with the Sands parties. Because we couldn’t stay on site Thursday night we decided to skip the pre-party all together. Although we had a really good time last year. But that shouldn’t be an excuse to not make it on all other days. Only been there Sunday at noon to eat the roast. Sorry for that.

Oh, and sorry to all for being a bit grumpy at times. I just don’t like to move in big crowds. I’m a loner. Never expect me to be social with more than 5 people at once. Will never work. And I get grumpy if you try to make me. That and I need my sleep. Never ever mess with that. Everybody who knows me a bit knows that. Not proud of that, nor feel I sorry for it. It’s just how it is. Respect that and I’ll respect you. And I’ll even try harder next time. Promised.

Now that’s out of the way, lets start the real report. I had a blast. Although it’s never perfect. After 4 editions I finally start to come to peace with the fact you can’t do everything you wish to do. Because it happens simultaneously, because I guess you can’t check the entire afternoon and evening programme on just booze and instant pasta, because my physique isn’t all that, because getting older is a fact of life you shouldn’t fight, because missing acts is just part of the whole experience I guess.

So I missed a lot I wanted to see. Among others Tortured Soul, Theo Parrish and Eric Roberson. Heard they were good. On the other hand had Mr. Scruff, Rahaan, Snowboy, Tawiah and the Sunburst band surprising me by being way better than I expected (and that’s saying a lot). Tawiah in the Funkbase on Sunday afternoon touched me very deeply. Even if it was for a hangover crowd tired of 2 days of intense partying it still had a big impact on me. The Sunburst Band sounded more classic than most vintage Disco bands and had us dancing crazily in the big room which had more of a sauna than a dance venue. Mr. Scruff is a genius, always topping the high expectations I have. Rahaan delivered a more than solid Disco set with lots of deep ditties. The way I like it. Snowboy hammering that Deisler track and shouting in the mic was a piece of true dedication.

There were lots of other high profile guests delivering the goods nicely but I figured out I don’t necessarily seek for that at Southport Weekender. The party would be nothing if I would have missed Terry Jones & Andy Davies playing Four Below Zero’s “My Baby Got ESP”, or if I missed the Saturday afternoon vibe in the Funkbase. Or without enjoying the massive love the crowd showed at Billy Davidson’s last appearance tribute. Or without meeting our last year’s neighbours and it being like family seeing each other again after six months of absence. Or without running into Phil Cooper on Saturday morning and going for a breakfast and some wandering around with him. Or meeting Nick, Claudia and the other cats coming from Belgium. Or meeting Phil Asher and being thanked for something 99% of the dj’s wouldn’t even bother asking. Or seeing Kerri Chandler being nice to everybody who wants a chat or a picture taken with him. I really like that family vibe that’s running around.

And that’s why I don’t really feel bad for missing out on some things. Because after all I still had more fun than on 6 months worth partying over here. Not because it’s bad over here. No, just because it’s so nice over there. I am already missing it. Although the wait between May and November is slightly less hard with the festival season softening the pain.

Rests me to thank everybody. First of all Dave, Alex and all involved with organising this ace event every 6 months. Nice work. To all of our crew. Phil, Jonathan, Marijke, Nina, Yoeri, Lieve, Jenna, Kathelijn, Dieter, Maarten, Stefano, Tom, Karl, David, Jonas, Jouri, Adriaan and Jonas. To Phil, my Welsh brother, for the fun and all the music. Nick, Claudia, Ste Hodge, Nick Benton, the other Belgians, our neighbours from last year and all others that crossed our path and shared some fun with us.

We are gathering all pics taken by our group on this Facebook group. Feel free to add if you got some photos or videos.