Live Music entertainment in London
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Borderline
Through the Tex-Mex entrance off Orange Yard and down into the basement you’ll find a packed, 275-capacity venue that really punches above its weight. Read the writing on the walls (literally, there’s a gig list) : Crowded House, REM, Blur, Counting Crows, PJ Harvey, Lenny Kravitz, Debbie Harry, plus many anonymous indie outfits, have all played here. The crowd’s equally diverse but full of music journos and talent-spotting record-company A&Rs.
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Café Oto
Café Oto is one of London’s most idiosyncratic and interesting music venues. Set in a converted print warehouse and run by a Japanese-British couple, this place dedicates itself to promoting experimental and off-mainstream international musicians. You’ll find lots of Japanese stars of experimental, jazz and pop music, as well as legendary 1960s folk and rock stars. During the day it’s a lovely cafe.
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Carling Academy Islington
Many complain about Islington Academy's lack of atmosphere - it is, after all, set in a shopping centre - but all agree that the artists' line-up is pretty top class: Franz Ferdinand, Kings of Leon, and even Tom Jones have played here. The acoustics are excellent and the discerning crowd is serious about their music. The adjacent Bar Academy hosts up-and-coming groups and can be a great place to see new talent.
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Brixton Academy
It’s hard to have a bad night at the Brixton Academy, even if you leave with your soles sticky with beer, as this cavernous former theatre (holding 5000) always thrums with bonhomie. There’s a properly raked floor for good views, as well as plenty of bars. You can catch international acts of the ilk of Madonna (once), but more likely artists are Amy Winehouse, Basement Jaxx or DJ Shadow.
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Barfly@the Monarch
Barfly, Charles Bukowski, lounge lizards – you get the picture. This typically grungy, indie-rock Camden venue is full of small-time artists looking for their big break. The focus is on rock from the US and UK, with alternative-music radio station Xfm hosting regular nights. There’s a new sister venue, the Fly, with a similar set up.
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Black Gardenia
A fantastic Soho dive, Black Gardenia is tiny, red-walled, shabby and underground. Run by rockabillies and people with tattoos and 1950s dress sense, it offers a variety of gigs, from lesbian bands, to rock’n’roll bonanzas and schmoozy piano music accompanied by a crooning, middle-aged Soho character.
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Forum
You can find your way to the Forum – once the famous Town & Country Club – by the ticket touts that line the way from Kentish Town tube. It’s a really popular venue for seeing new big bands, and the medium-sized hall, with stalls and a mezzanine, is spacious enough and perfectly intimate.
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At Proud
It’s very trendy indeed at Proud, with gorgeous Camdenites heading to the sunset-watching terrace for outdoor gigs in summer or indoor booths in winter. Proud is a great venue in North London that combines live music and exhibitions, and it’s really best in summer, when the terrace is open.
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Downstairs at the King’s Head
A club that hails from the 1980s, with success stories of launching the careers of Eddie Izzard and Mark Lamarr in its busy and intimate room. It hosts newbies and biggies in equal proportions. Check the website for the different nights and admission prices.
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The o2
The former Millennium Dome has been reinvented as ‘The O2’, a massive leisure complex with a multiplex cinema, the O2 Bubble exhibition space, and the Indigo2 and O2 Arena concert halls, hosting famous names like James Blunt and Tina Turner.
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Bull & Gate
The best place to see unsigned-but-promising talent, the legendary Bull & Gate’s old-school music venue still pulls in the punters eager to see guitar bands that might just turn out to be the next big thing.
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Rich Mix
Founded in 2006 in a converted garment factory, this modern cultural centre contains a three-screen cinema, a bar and a live-music venue. The movies are pretty mainstream, but the music events can be interesting.
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Dublin Castle
A very grungy pub with a very impressive pedigree. Madness and Travis were just two of the bands who got their first big breaks on the Dublin’s tiny stage. Check www.bugbearbookings.com for listings.
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Shepherd’s Bush Empire
An iconic London gig venue, attracting big-name international artists. It’s outside the main Kensington–Knightsbridge– Chelsea triangle, but worth the trip for its diverse line-up.
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Bardens Boudoir
The Dalston music scene is on the rise, and Bardens Boudoir is firmly at the forefront, hosting some fantastic nights. There are live gigs and DJ nights, so check the website for all the listings.
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Bull’s Head
This traditional pub dates from Tudor times and has hosted modern jazz concerts in its Jazz Room since 1959. It continues to offer some of the best British jazz nightly and at Sunday lunchtime.
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Luminaire
The Luminaire is one of London’s best small music venues. Compact but not crowded, it has a big emphasis on friendly service and silence while music is playing – but what’s really impressive is the list of people who’ve played here: Babyshambles, Bat For Lashes, Colleen, Editors, Dirty Pretty Things, Hanne Hukkelberg and Mark Eitzel of American Music Club are just a few.
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