What is the Southport Weekender’s secret? Taking place in an out-of-season, seriously out-of-the-way Pontins holiday resort twice a year, this super-soulful gathering continues to do-the-do. How come?

“I have no idea why the concept of using out-of-season holiday resorts works so well in this country” confesses the ever-eclectic turntablist Mr Scruff. “But that’s the thing about the UK music scene, it’s full of unique quirks.”

Southport, founded by hedonistic Northern club promoter Alex Lowes and partner-in-crime Dave Gardner way back in 1987, actually started life on a lowly caravan site in Berwick-upon-Tweed. The musical agenda was strictly 70s soul and, as such, only around 400 clubbers turned up; more had been expected.

Veteran Weekender DJ Billy Davidson recalls: “I’ll always remember it was pissing with rain and my wife dropped my singles – all my seven-inch singles – into the mud! I never dreamed for one minute that that event would ignite what we have here at Southport today!”

That said, Davidson has a particular view on Southport’s meteoric rise over the subsequent, and impressively substantial 22 years. “Southport has always embraced the changes – soul, then street soul, new jack swing and house. It’s never been about ‘this is the new big thing’ but always ‘this is the finest musical side of it.’ And that’s meant the punters haven’t really changed that much. So many people have just grown up with this whole thing.” Southport’s original, loyal fan base has, in other words, driven much of the festival’s long-term success.

This weekend, November 6-8, will represent an incredible 45th instalment for what can now be safely billed as one of Europe’s major soulful music festivals. The DJ line-up, across several scenes, is once against massive. Uptempo heavyweights like Kerri Chandler, Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Dennis Ferrer, Kenny ‘Dope’ Gonzalez and legendary Studio 54 resident Nicky Siano will feature alongside jazz, soul, hip-hop and funk heroes including Gilles Peterson, DJ Spinna, Steve ‘Smooth’ Sutherland, Dr Bob Jones, Zed Bias and Mr Scruff; not to mention live artists such as powerhouse singer India and German groovesters Jazzanova.

“Southport is a great place to be” New Jersey kingpin Chandler enthuses. “You can have fun at the pace you want to. I’m on the floor more than the stage – a genuine music lover like everyone else. Southport really belongs to the people who come, they have the say. For me, it’s a house music Woodstock; my extended home. Artists and clubbers give that little bit extra; even the outdoor and private chalet parties are great! I can’t wait for Saturday!”

“The team behind Southport truly believes in it; it’s a passion not a money-earner” adds Galaxy FM soul-boy Steve Sutherland. “Because of that I think it will survive whatever is thrown at it – recession, changing tastes, you name it. The whole escapism thing of being at a holiday resort maybe adds some more magic too. Whatever, I’ll always make sure I’m available.”

On the contrary, Studio 54’s inimitable Nicky Siano is making a rare hop across the Pond for what will be his Southport debut, but is already impressed: “I’ve never played there before but I’ve been getting a lot of phone calls and emails about it; the festival sounds great, I’m beginning to understand the buzz….”

Scruff, deep in planning for his soul and jazz set this weekend, neatly sums up Merseyside’s famous Weekender: “It has the history, depth, quality, loyal crowd of music lovers and great dancers that make it a joy to play at. I’m ready to go, c’mon!”

One senses that whatever happens to clubland in the coming years, a little patch of coastal turf ‘up north’ will continue to dazzle. Rest assured that when the final beats of Southport 45 sound this Sunday, plans for 46 will immediately swing into action. And you just know they’ll be amazing….
Tickets and some accommodation is still available for 45 – check www.southportweekender.co.uk urgently!