Northern soul is ready for a two-night trip to Amsterdam

AWARD-WINNING ferry operator, DFDS Seaways, together with UK music promoter Jumpin’ Hot Club has announced the launch of its second North Sea Sounds mini-cruise series on the popular Newcastle to Amsterdam route. Music lovers will be able to enjoy two nights of Northern and modern soul on board, from September 18 to 20.

For those looking for a weekend away that is a little bit different, the cruise offers two jam-packed bills of exciting acts including Yogi Haughton, Roger Banks, Hoss, Toma, Davey Mason, Tonge and Paul Ackley – who will play in two separate venues on board.

Priced from £59 per person return, tickets include entry to the music acts, two nights’ accommodation in a comfortable en suite cabin aboard cruise ferry Princess Seaways and coach transfers to and from Amsterdam.

Headlining the Modern Room will be Terry Jones. Terry is one of the world’s most influential DJs, who straddles the divide between Northern and modern soul, having entertained soul fans for the past 40 years. Terry will be joined by DJs including John Kane, Andrea Robertson, Tizer, Paul Harrison and George Wallace.

The Northern Room features DJ Dave Evison. He has been a Northern soul DJ since the 1960s and is one of the few who played at The Torch Club, Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre and Wigan Casino, where he enjoyed his greatest claim to fame.

Cruise bookers will also have a chance to explore beautiful Amsterdam for the best part of a day before returning on Sunday, September 20.

Passengers will return to the ferry for the journey home and enjoy a meal at one of the ship’s many restaurants, as well as take advantage of the comfortable bars and lounges, cinema and games room.

“We’re always looking to offer passengers a fun and unique cruising experience and this latest music cruise package is perfect for both fans of northern soul and those wanting to rekindle the nostalgia of the 1970s. With a new generation now also appreciating this genre, we hope this event will be a big hit,” says Max Foster, passenger director at DFDS Seaways.

“We have worked with Paul Conroy to put on a superb bill of DJs which will allow people to enjoy the complete genre of soul; from the R&B sounds of the early 1960s, through to the golden era of Northern Soul and then right up to date with the latest contemporary sounds of soulful house music.

“The North-East has long been a hot-bed of Northern soul since the early 1970s and following the success of the film Northern Soul, the music has been discovered again by a whole new generation. We’re so delighted to have the opportunity to work with DFDS Seaways on this initiative. Who would have thought, looking back at the early pioneers of soul, that one day this music would form the soundtrack for a two-night cruise from Newcastle to Amsterdam,” says Jumpin’ Hot Club founder Graham Anderson.

  • To book or find out more, visit: dfdsseaways.co.uk or call 0871-224-2200