Page 349 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - London

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Rock, Pop, Jazz and World Music

Rock giants, pop divas, jazz legends: London has hosted and since the 1950s, many of
them all and the city continues to draw the biggest names the finest performers in the
in music while nurturing acts that could be the next big world have come to play here,
thing. There may be as many as 80 listed concerts on an including Ella Fitzgerald, Nina
Simone and Curtis Mayfield.
ordinary weeknight: rock or reggae, folk or soul, all tastes are The 100 Club in Oxford Street
catered for and in venues all over the city. In addition to is another very popular venue
gigs, music festivals are held across the capital in parks, for confirmed jazz fans. Jazz and
pubs, halls and stadiums. Check the listings websites and food have formed a partnership
magazines (see p338) and keep your eyes open for publicity at venues such as the largely
vegetarian Jazz Café, the
posters and flyers.
branch of Pizza Express on
Dean Street and the Mau Mau
Bar on Portobello Road.
Major Venues princess Ellie Goulding to The Southbank Centre (see
Global superstars such as metalheads Opeth. The venue pp190–91) and the Barbican
Beyoncé, the Rolling Stones and is a Grade II-listed former railway (see p169) schedule formal
Taylor Swift inevitably include a repair shed and the main concert jazz concerts and free jazz in
night or two in London while space has an impressive domed the foyers.
on tour. More often than not ceiling. Just up the road is
the O2 Arena in Greenwich, the Barfly, which some refer to as a
indoor Wembley Arena and music institution. It is a popular World Music
the Eventim Apollo are the choice for those looking for the World music encompasses
venues of choice, or, if the latest rock and indie bands – different styles of music from
performers are looking for some of the biggest names in around the globe. It includes,
something a little more elegant, rock played early gigs here. though is by no means
the grand Royal Albert Hall. They also took to the stage at limited to, African, Latin and
The O2 Academy Brixton The Garage at Highbury Corner, South American music. The
and The Forum are next in another favourite venue of popularity of traditional musical
prominence and size. Each can rock fans. styles has even sparked a
accommodate an audience of Those looking for somewhere revitalization of British and Irish
well over 2,000 people, and for a little different should check folk music. Cecil Sharp House
many Londoners these former out the events list at the Union has regular shows for folk
cinemas are the capital’s best Chapel in Islington. A working purists, while the ICA (see p96)
venues, with seating upstairs, church with stunning Gothic hosts a range of acts. Cargo
standing room downstairs and achitecture, this award-winning in Shoreditch has an eclectic
accessible bars. venue has hosted a variety of programme of live music that
acts including Tom Jones and includes African beats and
Billy Bragg. Latin funk. Hot Latin nights are
Rock and Pop
The O2 Shepherd’s Bush, held at Salsa! on Charing
The capital has a healthy and like its sister venue in Brixton, Cross Road, and laid-back vibes
diverse rock and pop scene. is a safe bet for chart-toppers, pervade the Notting Hill Arts
In Camden, Koko has hosted music legends and fresh talent. Club. For the widest selection
some of the biggest names in Mumford & Sons, Pearl Jam and of African sounds and food in
music including Coldplay, Katy Prince have all entertained the town, try visiting the Africa
Perry and Madonna. It has a crowds here. Centre in Covent Garden.
busy calendar of gigs featuring Lastly, pubs and clubs across The Barbican Centre and the
up-and-coming bands and the capital regularly host live Southbank Centre’s Royal
current favourites. Nearby, The acts – always check listings when Festival Hall and Queen
Underworld promotes alter- you visit to catch an evening of Elizabeth Hall all include world
native music. Though a relatively great music. music on their programmes.
small venue, it has hosted artists London’s large West Indian
such as Radio head and the community has contributed
Foo Fighters. The venue is also Jazz to a lively reggae scene.
home to two nightclubs. The number of jazz venues At the Notting Hill Carnival
Once upon a time, Jimi Hendrix in London continues to grow – (see p61), in late August, many
and Led Zeppelin took to the both the music and the lifestyle top bands perform free.
stage at the Roundhouse in which are romantically Reggae has now become
Chalk Farm. In its current imagined to go with it are integrated with the mainstream
incarnation, this excellent pop ular once again. Ronnie rock music scene, and bands
venue features a programme Scott’s in the West End is still appear at most of London’s
of acts that range from pop the pick of the vintage crop, rock venues.

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