Townsfolk got in the groove as the sounds of soul resurfaced in pubs, restaurants and street settings in Darlington over the weekend.

Groovefest brought a flavour of the Northern Soul era to a modern audience in a variety of venues across the town centre.

Disco, soul, funk and classic Motown music was heard at every corner, with Saturday’s glorious weather giving a Continental feel to the al fresco events.

Eighteen different venues staged events, with a fitting festival overture provided by The Greatest Hits of Motown – How Sweet It Is, playing at The Hippodrome, on Thursday (May 16).

The Northern Echo:

It dovetailed with a disco, funk, soul and Motown-themed quiz night in the Market Hall, a prelude to a Blues Session and open mic in The Quakerhouse, in the Mechanics Yard.

Ten different venues staged events on Friday, from bands and solo artists, to DJs performing soul classic sets.

The Northern Echo: DJ Andy Talc on the decks at the ORB, in Coniscliffe Road,.

Saturday’s programme began with a showcase for novice DJs and a record fair in the Market Hall, followed by an outdoor set with DJ Mike Stead and special guests providing “classic funky vibes” in Bondgate.

The Kerrison Collective were centre stage outside the Tapas Bar  on a sunny Saturday evening, with Andy Talc simultaneously taking to the DJ Decks at the ORB, on Coniscliffe Road.

The Northern Echo: Turntable tyechnician DJ Andy Talc at Groovefest, Darlington, on Saturday

The Northern Echo:

What you need to know about Groovefest in Darlington

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These were just two of eight options for Saturday night drinkers in Darlington.

Sunday became Soul Sabbath with performances spread across afternoon and evening sessions.

It culminated with Christy McAllister performing at the Tapas Bar, while The Old English Gentleman provided a foot-tapping finale, playing host to the It’s Raining 80s show.