Northern Soul band ‘The Soultrain’ at Empire Rochdale

Northern Soul band ‘The Soultrain’ at Empire Rochdale, Saturday 30 December

The UK’s leading Northern Soul band ‘The Soultrain’ arrive at Empire Rochdale on Saturday 30 December for what promises to be a big end of year party night for soul fans.

The nine-piece group, who all come from the North West, perform at the famous Packer Street venue with a Northern Soul show which the band boast is their strongest to date.

Now in their tenth year, The Soultrain had already been filling dance halls and dance floors with their powerful live shows when in 2014 the band decided to focus mainly on Northern Soul.

Since then the band have gone from strength to strength gaining praise from venues and audiences all over the country.

This is not a cabaret show, this is an authentic soul party.

This performance will be extra special for two of the bands’ founding members. Trumpet players Lee Howson and Rod Wilson are both Rochdale born and bred with Rod attending Balderstone Community School and Lee attending Bishop Henshaw School.

Rod and Lee are products of Rochdale and Kingsway Youth Bands.

Rod said: “Having played all over the UK, we can not wait to bring our show to Rochdale in December to a venue which feels like home.

Fronted by their charismatic lead singer Darrell Smith, The Soultrain also present the blistering sounds of the ‘Union Pacific Horns’ - now featuring saxophonist Tony Marshall (Kyla Brox Band).

Richard Searling, Wigan Casino DJ, said: "My favourite North West Soul band, not only do they sound fantastic in the big ballrooms, but they really do look the part as well.

"A very talented group who put together their varied and imaginative set list to please all, and who are now quite rightly getting rave reviews and have developed a lasting connection with soul fans new and old with their powerful performances."

The Soultrain will be playing live, the very best soul anthems from Wigan Casino, Twisted Wheel and Blackpool Mecca. Great songs by Dobie Gray, Frank Wilson, Al Wilson, Dean Parish, Tony Clarke and many more. Throw in a pinch Motown and we have the new look Northern Soul stew served up by the UK’s very own ’Northern’ Soultrain.