London tourism: Top 10 music venues to see in London
by Katy Coduto
I’m excited to see all kinds of things in London. However, considering that music is my topic of choice for this class, I thought it was more than appropriate to pick the top 10 music venues in London. I further hope that I can increase my own experience in the London music scene (and my research) by visiting most of these places – and seeing shows at them in the process.
10. The 100 Club
The 100 Club is on my list because it has a cool history: It’s known first and foremost for its connection to punk bands and their birth in the 1970s, particularly the Clash and the Sex Pistols. For a number of the 1970s punk bands, it was the first venue they played. It has a nice combination of music history and current happenings, mostly with up-and-coming bands, though not all as punk as the past.
9. O2 Arena
The O2 family of venues can be found throughout England; however, O2 Arena is where all of the biggest gigs take place. Kanye West and Jay-Z will be hosting a multi-night stand in the 20,000-plus arena during our class’s stay. Later in the year, it will host Nickelback. The O2 isn’t just for music, though; it also plays host to a number of national awards ceremonies, including England’s National Television Awards.
10. The 100 Club
The 100 Club is on my list because it has a cool history: It’s known first and foremost for its connection to punk bands and their birth in the 1970s, particularly the Clash and the Sex Pistols. For a number of the 1970s punk bands, it was the first venue they played. It has a nice combination of music history and current happenings, mostly with up-and-coming bands, though not all as punk as the past.
9. O2 Arena
The O2 family of venues can be found throughout England; however, O2 Arena is where all of the biggest gigs take place. Kanye West and Jay-Z will be hosting a multi-night stand in the 20,000-plus arena during our class’s stay. Later in the year, it will host Nickelback. The O2 isn’t just for music, though; it also plays host to a number of national awards ceremonies, including England’s National Television Awards.
8. Electric Ballroom
The Electric Ballroom has an electric past, as it was another key player in music history – again with bands including the Clash and the Sex Pistols. However, it has also hosted recent gigs with musicians including Paul McCartney and the Killers. The Electric Ballroom is one venue where punk history is supreme, but the punk artists aren’t the only ones there to perform.
The Electric Ballroom has an electric past, as it was another key player in music history – again with bands including the Clash and the Sex Pistols. However, it has also hosted recent gigs with musicians including Paul McCartney and the Killers. The Electric Ballroom is one venue where punk history is supreme, but the punk artists aren’t the only ones there to perform.
7. Koko
Formerly known as the Music Machine and then Camden Palace, and located in Camden, Koko is the home of London’s pop scene. Koko is where Madonna had her UK debut in the ’80s (yes, her British accent is fake). It was redecorated and completely renovated in 2004.
6. The Lexington
The Lexington is similar to Cleveland Heights’ Grog Shop; relatively unknown bands come here to play, and many of them are from the United States. Bands including Sleigh Bells have had their UK debut here, and this is one that I will definitely be checking out while in London, as it’s only a mile away from our flat and a five-minute tube ride. I can’t pass up the opportunity to see bands so close to our UK home. The Lexington is also affordable: Most shows range in price from £6 to £8.
5. Union Chapel
Union Chapel is known for its architecture and top-notch acoustics, and these alone make it worth seeing. The Chapel was finished in 1877 and serves not only as a music venue, but also as a church and a homeless shelter. Even if no one’s playing there, it’s worth checking out just to see the actual building and the activity that goes on around it daily. Musicians performing include Christian singer-songwriters as well as established artists, including Echo and the Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch and Albert Hammond.
Formerly known as the Music Machine and then Camden Palace, and located in Camden, Koko is the home of London’s pop scene. Koko is where Madonna had her UK debut in the ’80s (yes, her British accent is fake). It was redecorated and completely renovated in 2004.
6. The Lexington
The Lexington is similar to Cleveland Heights’ Grog Shop; relatively unknown bands come here to play, and many of them are from the United States. Bands including Sleigh Bells have had their UK debut here, and this is one that I will definitely be checking out while in London, as it’s only a mile away from our flat and a five-minute tube ride. I can’t pass up the opportunity to see bands so close to our UK home. The Lexington is also affordable: Most shows range in price from £6 to £8.
5. Union Chapel
Union Chapel is known for its architecture and top-notch acoustics, and these alone make it worth seeing. The Chapel was finished in 1877 and serves not only as a music venue, but also as a church and a homeless shelter. Even if no one’s playing there, it’s worth checking out just to see the actual building and the activity that goes on around it daily. Musicians performing include Christian singer-songwriters as well as established artists, including Echo and the Bunnymen’s Ian McCulloch and Albert Hammond.
4. Royal Albert Hall
This is a music venue concerned with elegance. Just by seeing its exterior, concertgoers can tell that an almost religious experience will be had within its walls. Not only is the architecture stunning, but Royal Albert Hall has been the site of many live albums – including the Killers’ Live from the Royal Albert Hall. RAH is another venue in London with superior acoustics – again, reason enough to see someone perform there.
This is a music venue concerned with elegance. Just by seeing its exterior, concertgoers can tell that an almost religious experience will be had within its walls. Not only is the architecture stunning, but Royal Albert Hall has been the site of many live albums – including the Killers’ Live from the Royal Albert Hall. RAH is another venue in London with superior acoustics – again, reason enough to see someone perform there.
3. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is home to the Wireless Festival, which will not be occurring while I am in London. However, this music festival is notable for the large acts it pulls in, including Rihanna. Seeing the space where thousands will be gathered in just a few months would be almost as fulfilling as being there for the Wireless Festival (almost).
2. Brixton Academy (O2 Academy Brixton)
Part of the O2 family, Brixton Academy is a smaller version of the O2 Arena and still hosts well-known acts. One of my favorite groups, The Horrors, will be performing at Brixton while I’m in London, and I can’t say I won’t be scoping it out. Plus, in the same vein as the Lexington, the Academy hosts slightly cheaper concerts, so no one appearing here should break the budget!
Hyde Park is home to the Wireless Festival, which will not be occurring while I am in London. However, this music festival is notable for the large acts it pulls in, including Rihanna. Seeing the space where thousands will be gathered in just a few months would be almost as fulfilling as being there for the Wireless Festival (almost).
2. Brixton Academy (O2 Academy Brixton)
Part of the O2 family, Brixton Academy is a smaller version of the O2 Arena and still hosts well-known acts. One of my favorite groups, The Horrors, will be performing at Brixton while I’m in London, and I can’t say I won’t be scoping it out. Plus, in the same vein as the Lexington, the Academy hosts slightly cheaper concerts, so no one appearing here should break the budget!
1. Alexandra Palace
Alexandra Palace is notable for a number of reasons. It has a rich history, but it is also so much more than a music venue. It has ice rinks and parks, and many of the activities within the Palace are free. However, Alexandra Palace is host to a number of large music festivals, similar to those held in Hyde Park. While I’m in London, the palace will be hosting the English I’ll Be Your Mirror Festival, which is in the All Tomorrow’s Parties family. ATP is a major music festival that happens in December in London, while the I’ll Be Your Mirror events take place in May in New Jersey and London. The I’ll Be Your Mirror Festival is like a warm-up for the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in December. These are major festivals, and the fact that one will be at Alexandra Palace is enough to earn it the number one spot on this list. The festivals, combined with the other attractions around the palace, make Alexandra Palace a must-see!
I’m definitely eager to see live music, and I’m especially excited at the possibility of seeing bands from across the pond that I’ve yet to see here!
Royal Albert Hall image courtesy gorfor. Alexandra Palace image courtesy Cristiano Betta. The Killers live at the Electric Ballroom courtesy Tuftronic10000. Koko image courtesy Jon Blathwayt. Hyde Park’s Wireless Festival 2011, Aphex Twin live, courtesy totally pixelated.
Alexandra Palace is notable for a number of reasons. It has a rich history, but it is also so much more than a music venue. It has ice rinks and parks, and many of the activities within the Palace are free. However, Alexandra Palace is host to a number of large music festivals, similar to those held in Hyde Park. While I’m in London, the palace will be hosting the English I’ll Be Your Mirror Festival, which is in the All Tomorrow’s Parties family. ATP is a major music festival that happens in December in London, while the I’ll Be Your Mirror events take place in May in New Jersey and London. The I’ll Be Your Mirror Festival is like a warm-up for the All Tomorrow’s Parties festival in December. These are major festivals, and the fact that one will be at Alexandra Palace is enough to earn it the number one spot on this list. The festivals, combined with the other attractions around the palace, make Alexandra Palace a must-see!
I’m definitely eager to see live music, and I’m especially excited at the possibility of seeing bands from across the pond that I’ve yet to see here!
Royal Albert Hall image courtesy gorfor. Alexandra Palace image courtesy Cristiano Betta. The Killers live at the Electric Ballroom courtesy Tuftronic10000. Koko image courtesy Jon Blathwayt. Hyde Park’s Wireless Festival 2011, Aphex Twin live, courtesy totally pixelated.