The Cockpit have a new night at the end of the month, welcoming you to an alternative Friday night…
For all those that have been to the Cockpit before and are over the age of 14, it may be easy to cringe at the prospect of a new clubnight launch. However, this time it promises something different and it goes by the name, Heavy Soul. Futuresound, the company that owns the venue, decided that The Cockpit needed something new that would attract music lovers of all ages rather than the boozy mop-head crowd that it normally attracts. They decided that it was time for The Session to retire, a 12 year-old friday night indie experience that was losing the je ne sais quoi that it was once famous for.
Enter Heavy Soul, promising music with soul spanning ‘the genres and the decades’. After speaking to the night’s promotions manager Stephanie, it’s safe to say we can expect big things from it. If you’re into Rock’n’Roll, Psych, Blues, Motown, Disco, or Soul then you’re in for a treat as that is what you can expect to hear in one of two rooms within the venue. I’ve also been told that there is a separate bar area to kick back and relax for when you’ve left your dancing shoes at home.
The most exciting part of it in my view is the use of theming; a factor that promises to change on a weekly basis so one week you may be sipping Pina Coladas in a Hawaiian Luau, the next White Russians in a makeshift fifties bowling alley – who knows! Speaking of drinks, I cannot guarantee that those will be on the menu but can reassure that there is something on the menu for everyone, from drink deals for the lowly student, and premium ales for those that want to fork out a bit more for good quality booze. However, as Heavy Soul insists, going there is about the music, not how trollied you can get on a twenty pound note.
They intend to keep things interesting with guest DJ’s on a regular basis so hopefully that means no repetitive playlists which is never a bad thing. Also, they’ve clearly been keeping in touch with nightlife trending as there is no entry fee as they did for The Session, which means that you won’t have to spend an arm and a leg before you’ve even got through the door. Times is hard. The most important thing they wanted to focus on was that The Cockpit’s customers have a great night at a fun place with a light-hearted atmosphere. The launch is on the 31st of January, so I guess we will just have to go and find out – see you there!
I confess that it is a lot of years since I was at the Cockpit but Heavy Soul maybe just the reason I need to return and see what, if anything, has changed. Sounds a great music mix.