Southport Weekender 48, the UK dance music bonanza, announced their line-up this week and it's mind-boggling. Joining first-billed headliner Frankie Knuckles on May 11th through May 13th are David Morales, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Kenny Dope, Kerri Chandler, Joe Claussell, Tony Humphries, Joey Negro, Chicagoans Derrick Carter, Terry Hunter, Anthony Nicholson... and more. Typically when flyers say "and more" they mean "some guys to play before anyone comes". This "and more" means and many more.
To get you in the mood, DJ Spinna and Mr. Scruff have put together Southport Weekender Volume 9, a two-CD compilation featuring a remarkable blend of music, from genre classics like Kerri Chandler's "Rain" to some cutting edge tracks from Theo Parrish and Sascha Dive to old Northern Soul songs.
"I would say it's definitely the most soulful festival any DJ could play anywhere in the world," DJ Spinna told me. "I happen to be the only DJ in the history of the Southport Weekender to have played every room, which is an honor. If you're into good music across the board it's definitely the event to experience. You're surrounded by people who are very knowledgeable of the music, lots of DJs and frequent party-goers.
"The best part of the experience is getting to hear some of your favorite DJs and artists perform, and reuniting with DJ contemporaries you only get to see once a year. Last year, for example, I met Dexter Wansel, hung out with Roy Ayers, bumped into Raphael Saadiq and Naughty By Nature."
As far as mixing the CD goes, "I've been a staple DJ at the Southport Weekender for almost a decade now so I guess it was just a matter of happenstance. Partnering with Mr. Scruff on this was also great as we both have very similar musical minds and have toured together in the past."
Southport Weekender Volume 9 is out now. For information on the festival itself, visit southportweekender.co.uk.
Terry Matthew is the managing editor of 5 Magazine. You can contact him at 
