The Signatures Bring Northern Soul to Life at Hangar 34
- L J Hubbard
- 8 hours ago
- 2 min read
Hanger 34 Liverpool – 18th July 2026
WORDS ALEX MARCUS DAVIES / IMAGES L J HUBBARD
The Signatures, one of the UK’s finest faithful Northern Soul experiences, demonstrated the movement’s enduring resonance with generations, young and old, breathing life into Hangar 34’s rustic-industrial interior. Opening on Saturday night to a vibrant collage of aptly-dressed fans, many embracing the iconic ‘uniform’ – ranging from sleeved bowling shirts to high-waisted flares – the audience completed the scene for a memorable tribute to this classic British dance culture.
Backed by driving drumbeats and towering brass sections, with the sounds building into a swirl of lush melodies, the audience were rapidly immersed and the soul-stirring magic took charge as the dance floor progressively bubbled into a celebration any fan would consider home.
For this night, the exposed brickwork and high ceilings of Hangar 34 melted away into the new incarnation of the legendary Wigan Casino. While immaculately polished – a testament to the talented band’s note-for-note precision – the concert remained a two-way dialogue between performers and audience, heeding the lead vocalist’s call that if you don’t “dance, dance, dance… this will be my last, last, last… show, show, show.”
As the band’s dynamic layers of grooves gathered momentum, it became increasingly irresistible to remain seated! It was the passion and authenticity of The Signatures’ exceptional vocalists – including guest singer Freddy Gillmore – who inspired the audience into a flurry of shuffling shoes and kinetic kicks to the pulse of their soulful tones.
The band’s quality and distinctive style were evident throughout the evening, mobilising and satisfying their most loyal devotees, with Gillmore immediately identifying one infectious source of energy: “Oh, I remember you, this guy’s
trouble!”
Delivering classics like She’s Wanted (In Three States) and I Want to Give You Tomorrow, memories were rekindled and new ones created, as the genre’s defining classics echoed throughout the evening; lingering long after the final note to reaffirm Northern Soul’s enduring ability to unite people through music and dance.
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