Tony Palmer's documentary, The Wigan Casino, offers an insightful perspective on the northern soul movement of the 1970s. Initially perceived as a predominantly white scene, the film reveals the significant presence of Black British dancers who were equally passionate about the soul music that was integral to the culture. The author shares personal reflections as they trace the overlooked narratives of Black fans from this era, emphasizing how these stories reshape our understanding of northern soul and its broader societal implications during the Thatcher period.
The film is a window into the underground scene that emerged in the 1970s, powered by soul records that had flopped years earlier.
I wanted to find something that wasn't supposed to exist: Black northern soul fans from the 1970s and 80s.
Seeing those Black faces contradicted what I'd heard about the scene; northern soul was about white working-class audiences loving Black American music.
These young people are there for the same reason as everyone else: hard-to-find soul music that's perfectly crafted for dancing.
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