If you’re a true fan of soul music, there’s one date you’ll want to circle in your diary: Friday 9th to Sunday 11th January 2026. That’s when the 30th Luxury Soul Weekender takes over the Grand Hotel, North Promenade, Blackpool for a milestone celebration of live soul, DJs, and community spirit.
Not only does this mark the 30th edition of the UK’s most prestigious winter soul event, but it also coincides with 40 years of Expansion Records, the legendary label behind the festival. With headliners like Ann Nesby and Ashley Scott, the 2026 Weekender is set to be the biggest and most memorable yet.
Here’s why you cannot miss the Luxury Soul Weekender 2026 in Blackpool.
- An Historic Double Celebration – 30 Weekenders and 40 Years of Expansion Records
The Luxury Soul Weekender Blackpool has been running for nearly three decades, attracting fans from across the UK and beyond. In January 2026, it celebrates its 30th event, a huge achievement in itself.
But that’s not all. Expansion Records, the independent soul label that launched in 1986, is also celebrating its 40th anniversary. For four decades, Expansion has kept soul thriving in the UK, introducing new talent and keeping timeless grooves alive.
This dual milestone makes the 2026 event more than just another festival. It’s a celebration of soul history, community, and the future of the genre.
- Ann Nesby Live in Blackpool – Soul Royalty Returns
A headline like this deserves a legend, and the organisers have delivered. Ann Nesby, former lead singer of the Grammy-winning group Sounds of Blackness, (Optimistic, In The Spirit), will perform live on Saturday night.
Nesby is more than a singer – she’s a force of nature. With her powerhouse vocals and uplifting stage presence, she embodies the spirit of soul and gospel. Fans can expect classics from her Sounds of Blackness days, along with her acclaimed solo material.
If you’ve ever wanted to experience a true soul icon live in the UK, the Ann Nesby Luxury Soul Weekender 2026 concert is your chance.
- Ashley Scott – The New Voice of Modern Soul
Flying in from Philadelphia to make his UK debut is Ashley Scott, (nephew of Helen Scott of The Three Degrees), one of Expansion Records’ brightest stars. A modern soul singer-songwriter with a rich, smooth sound, Scott bridges the gap between classic influences and contemporary style.
His appearance at the 30th Luxury Soul Weekender Blackpool reflects what the event does best: honouring the legends while showcasing the future of soul. Expect fresh grooves, heartfelt lyrics, and a performance that will win over new fans.
- More Than a Concert – A True Soul Community
What sets the Luxury Soul Weekender apart from other music festivals is the atmosphere. This is not just a gig; it’s three days of soul culture, where live performances, DJ sets, and dancefloors run day and night.
The Grand Hotel becomes a hub for soul lovers, with different rooms dedicated to various eras and styles:
- Classic Motown and Northern Soul for the purists.
- Modern soul grooves for dancers.
- Contemporary R&B and jazz-influenced sets for the forward-thinkers.
It’s not unusual to see generations mixing on the dance floor – from fans who’ve been collecting vinyl since the 70s to younger audiences discovering soul for the first time.
This sense of community and connection is why so many people return year after year. And for the 30th edition, the energy will be off the scale.
- The Venue – Blackpool’s Grand Hotel on the North Promenade
The Grand Hotel, Blackpool, has become synonymous with the Weekender experience. Situated on the famous North Promenade, it’s the perfect setting for a seaside winter celebration of soul.
Inside, the hotel’s function rooms are transformed into buzzing arenas for live concerts, late-night parties, and social spaces where fans connect over a shared love of music. Outside, the crisp January air of the seaside adds to the unique charm of the event.
- A Bridge Between Generations of Soul Lovers
The Luxury Soul Weekender 2026 is as much about the future as it is about the past. While headliner Ann Nesby represents a golden legacy of soul and gospel, Ashley Scott shows where the genre is heading.
That intergenerational spirit defines the event: it’s a place where younger fans can learn about the roots of soul, and where veteran fans can discover the rising stars keeping the flame alive.
- Why This Year’s Weekender is Truly Special
Every Luxury Soul Weekender is memorable, but the 30th anniversary in 2026 has a unique weight to it. It’s a chance to look back at 30 successful events that have kept soul culture thriving in the UK, and at the same time, to look forward to what the next 30 could bring.
From legendary DJs spinning rare grooves to live sets that leave you breathless, this will be an historic soul music event in the UK.
- How to Be There – Booking and Info
The 30th Luxury Soul Weekender 2026 runs from Friday 9th – Sunday 11th January at the Grand Hotel, Blackpool FY1 2JQ.
- Booking hotline: 01253 623434 (Mon–Fri, 9–5 – option 3, ask for Sally or Gail).
- Website: luxurysoulweekender.com
- Email: [email protected]
Tickets and hotel packages always sell fast, and with Ann Nesby and Ashley Scott live in Blackpool, this year’s demand is expected to be huge.
Final Word – Don’t Miss the 30th Luxury Soul Weekender
The Luxury Soul Weekender Blackpool 2026 isn’t just another event – it’s a landmark in UK soul history. With 30 editions of unforgettable weekends behind it and 40 years of Expansion Records shaping the soundtrack, this is a once-in-a-lifetime celebration.
Ralph Tee of Expansion adds “Ann Nesby is soul music royalty, one of the few big voices of the genre still performing and we are very lucky for her to agree to travel so far from the USA when she is in constant demand at home. Especially when our event is in the North West of England in winter!”
Whether you’re a lifelong soul fan or someone just discovering the magic of the genre, the combination of Ann Nesby live in the UK, Ashley Scott representing the future, and three days of non-stop soul culture makes this the most important soul music event of 2026.
NB: A limited number of non-accommodation all weekend wristbands are available from Ticketline:
Don’t miss your chance to be part of history.