Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
music—from visiting American indie bands to homegrown dubstep and techno DJs.
70-74 City Rd., EC1.
&
020/7253-2443.
www.thecamplondon.com. Tube: Old St.
O2 Academy Brixton
For many indie and rock bands a night at Brixton Acad-
emy represents a true measure of success. With a capacity of just under 5,000 it's one
of London's most impressive venues, and that is reflected by the high caliber of artists
that occupy its stage most nights. Voted best London venue by the readers of indie
bible
NME
12 times, this former Art Deco cinema is now a rock institution. Shows
at the Academy tend to sell out well in advance and ticket touts outside the venue
can charge a hefty premium, but shows tend to be announced well in advance so look
ahead and book through the venue's website if you'd like to experience one of Lon-
don's premier live music venues.
211 Stockwell Rd., SW9.
&
020/7771-3000.
www.o2academy
brixton.co.uk. Tube: Brixton.
Roundhouse
Housed in a Victorian steam engine-repair shed, the Road-
house in Camden is once again a cultural venue, presenting live music from emerging
young talent, and even theatre and dance. Famous for all-night psychedelic raves in
the 1960s, it reopened in 2006 attracting a young, new London crowd. At its peak it
can house 3,300 patrons standing. In days of yore, Jimi Hendrix, Paul McCartney,
and The Who performed here.
Chalk Farm Rd., NW1.
&
0844/482-8008.
www.roundhouse.org.
uk. Tube: Chalk Farm.
Union Chapel
You'd be hard pressed to find a more beautiful setting
for a concert than this 19th-century Islington church. Settle in on one of the venue's
wooden pews and let yourself be awestruck by the surroundings. To suit the venue's
natural ambience, music here tends toward the more reflective end of the spectrum
with folk, ambient electronica, and acoustic pop and rock particularly suited.
Compton
Ave., N1.
&
020/7359-4019.
www.unionchapel.org.uk. Tube: Highbury and Islington.
Jazz & Blues
Blues Kitchen
One of London's only dedicated blues bars, Camden's Blues
Kitchen is the place to listen to stripped-down music from the Mississippi Delta
while enjoying a plate loaded with authentic Cajun cooking. Hosting DJ nights, real
Blues legends from the States, and the occasional indie star looking to reconnect with
their roots, a night at the Blues Kitchen is a lively alternative to the identikit indie
nights that inhabit most Camden venues.
111-113 Camden High St., NW1.
&
020/7387-5277.
www.theblueskitchen.com. Admission from free to £3. Tube: Camden Town.
Café Oto
Experimental is the watchword at Café Oto—on some nights the
casual visitor might be forgiven for wondering if the sound coming out of the speakers
is music at all, let alone jazz. For anyone open to some leftfield sonic experiences,
however, Café Oto is a delight, and one of the few venues in London where
acclaimed musicians can be sure to find an appreciative audience for even their most
challenging works.
18-22 Ashwin St., E8.
&
020/7923-1231.
www.cafeoto.co.uk. Admission £5-£10.
Train: Dalston Kingsland or Dalston Junction.
Pizza Express
Don't let the chain name fool you: This restaurant/bar serves
some of the best jazz in London by mainstream artists along with its thin-crust
pizza. You'll generally encounter local bands or visiting groups, often from the
United States. The place draws an equal mix of Londoners and visitors in the
20-to-40 age bracket. Although the club has been enlarged, it's still important to
reserve ahead of time. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30am to midnight; jazz
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