A Salford University graduate has taken to the stage at BBC Proms to perform a special Northern Soul set.
BA Popular Music and Recording graduate Darrell Smith performed in front of a 5,000-strong crowd at Royal Albert Hall during the second night of the world’s biggest classical musical festival, the BBC Proms on July 15.
Darrell performed a rendition of fiveNorthern Soul hits from the 1960s and 1970s including Ray Pollard’s The Drifter, Frankie Beverly & The Butlers’ If That’s What You Wanted and R. Dean Taylor’s There’s A Ghost In My House.
Growing up attending Northen Soul haunts, Blackpool Mecca and Wigan Casino, Darrell, who graduated in 2015, explained what the experience was like. He said: “It was an honour just to be there and the crowd was absolutely incredible.
“By the end of the night, everyone was on their feet, even in the Royal Box, and that just feels really special to say.
“It was an amazing experience to walk out on to that stage. It’s a very intimidating venue but I really relished the opportunity to sing there.”
The singer was approached by renowned R&B and dance music vocalist Vula Malinga to be a part of the cohort for the concert after she discovered his voice online and wanted to add his northern roots to the evening’s line-up.
Darrell’s performance can be listened to on the BBC Sound’s website.
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