The term ‘after-party’ suggests a high class club with expensive drinks and a very strict guest list. This is true of some places, but not Jamm. Here you can get into these exclusive parties for a mere £10 or less; the drinks may still be a bit pricey but that should not matter when you can mingle with your favourite musicians.
Many gigs that take place at Brixton Academy turn into an after-party at Jamm. This offers your average gig-goer the opportunity to see bands perform DJ sets in a very informal and intimate atmosphere. Admittedly Jamm could do with a revamp and a good wash but somehow the neglected, warehouse vibe adds to its rock and roll lifestyle.
Jamm is not only host to mainstream bands but also offers underground artists the chance to play, like the indie band Boy on the Roof. The members may look too young to buy alcohol but their sound is definitely one that could get away with a fake ID.
Jamm is the perfect place to visit if you are closet groupie, a student, or in most cases just someone who loves live music.
261 Brixton Road
London
SW9 6LH
Wednesday 25 November 2009
Sunday 22 November 2009
East Side Story
The thought of the East End may have people fantasising about EastEnders. This stereotype is not entirely accurate. There could be a pub called ‘The Queen Victoria’ but probably many other city’s have one too. What one of the BBC’s top shows does not highlight is how hip Shoreditch is.
Cargo is based by Old Street and despite being surrounded by other clubs and bars it still achieves a full house. No matter how early or late you arrive there is often a queue. Some bouncers can be nice, some like to embrace their ‘power’. The latter is true of Cargo and it’s not recommend you try and argue with them - from personal experience they can get a bit rude.
Once inside it is a maze of brick walls. The dance floor is smaller than expected but there is always space for more. The music is always up to par and it keeps everyone moving and in high spirits. In the past the likes of OKGO and LCD Soundsystem have graced the stage. There are often incredible light displays to accompany the music which adds to the whole experience.
Get yourselves a compass and follow the arrow to the East to find Cargo!
83 Rivington Street
Shoreditch
London
EC2A 3AY
Cargo is based by Old Street and despite being surrounded by other clubs and bars it still achieves a full house. No matter how early or late you arrive there is often a queue. Some bouncers can be nice, some like to embrace their ‘power’. The latter is true of Cargo and it’s not recommend you try and argue with them - from personal experience they can get a bit rude.
Once inside it is a maze of brick walls. The dance floor is smaller than expected but there is always space for more. The music is always up to par and it keeps everyone moving and in high spirits. In the past the likes of OKGO and LCD Soundsystem have graced the stage. There are often incredible light displays to accompany the music which adds to the whole experience.
Get yourselves a compass and follow the arrow to the East to find Cargo!
83 Rivington Street
Shoreditch
London
EC2A 3AY
Long Live The Queen
Ever wondered what a place would look like if it combined art, music and East End culture? If yes, then go to Shoreditch and wander amongst the shadows of the City’s towering buildings to find the Queen of Hoxton where the work of local artists, musicians and designers are exhibited.
The general tone of the pub is dark and mysterious. On the ground floor there is a games room with table football and a vintage pinball machine, whereas down below in the basement is the ‘Queen’s alter ego’. This is where all the adults can go for a youth filled night of karaoke, club nights and raves.
The Queen offers her court to many genres of music like the hardcore rock band Loverman to the Roxy Music influenced Lunar Youth. For a pub, it is able to boast a decent sized stage and an amazing sound. There are no barriers to separate the crowd from the bands and no protein shake addicted security men to pull you out of the audience.
On strict orders from the Queen of Hoxton, head over to the East End and spend an evening in the apocalyptic venue.
1 Curtain Road
Hoxton
London
EC2A 3JX
The general tone of the pub is dark and mysterious. On the ground floor there is a games room with table football and a vintage pinball machine, whereas down below in the basement is the ‘Queen’s alter ego’. This is where all the adults can go for a youth filled night of karaoke, club nights and raves.
The Queen offers her court to many genres of music like the hardcore rock band Loverman to the Roxy Music influenced Lunar Youth. For a pub, it is able to boast a decent sized stage and an amazing sound. There are no barriers to separate the crowd from the bands and no protein shake addicted security men to pull you out of the audience.
On strict orders from the Queen of Hoxton, head over to the East End and spend an evening in the apocalyptic venue.
1 Curtain Road
Hoxton
London
EC2A 3JX
Wednesday 18 November 2009
The Good, The Bad and The Wicked
The amazing thing about living with a musician is all the contacts I can feed off. This may sound like I’m a leech in a human’s body but to be honest that is just scientifically impossible! Leah has a phonebook full of some very impressive people and could quite easily sell for a lot of money on eBay. However, on this cold and grim winter’s night she received a message from Claire. I have never met Claire and to be honest I’m not entirely sure how she and Leah met but Claire is a goddess.
This evening Leah and I went to see Wicked the Musical-for free. Claire happens to work at the Apollo Theatre in Victoria and managed to get us 3 free tickets to this evening’s performance. We were informed at very short notice but this was not going to stop us. We literally ran to the theatre, which happens to be a 10 minute walk from flaty, and got there a few seconds before the last call to sit was made.
I should probably say this now. I love any live music experience; this includes musicals and I am a complete sucker for them. To me they are the next best thing to gigs, concerts and festivals. To be able to sit in the audience and see a live performance is something that blows me away every time.
Most people see a musical once, maybe twice if they’re lucky. I, on the other hand, have seen Wicked a grand total of three times. Yes, that’s right, three times. Some of you may think this is silly and that I should broaden my horizons but those of you who think this are the small minded ones and you have obviously not had the Wicked experience thrown at you.
The first time I saw Wicked I was speechless. The second time I thought I had reached nirvana. Now having just been for the third time I’m starting to believe that I could potentially be part of the chorus! It’s a show that defies gravity and takes the musical experience to a whole new level.
Time for the important stuff. The singing. I have come to the conclusion that only one word can describe it- Wow. The part of Elphaba is played by Alexia Khadime, who has to be one of the most talented singers I have ever heard. Her range is incredible and her stage presence is one of a kind. Khadime managed to somehow paranormally wrap her voice around me and I can still hear her voice echoing in my head. I’m not sure if it’s because it was genuinely cold in the theatre but every song managed to give me chills down my spine.
The two women who play the leading roles of Elphaba and Glinda have a very obvious connection which shines through during their duets. Every song is performed perfectly and any mistakes that are made are quickly covered up so they are not apparent to the audience.
Wicked started out as a musical on Broadway in New York and after some time it made its way across the pond to London, England. I have never seen the original production of Wicked with the American cast, but having seen the English performance three times and listened to the soundtrack that uses the American cast I think it is fair to say that the British version is better. I am not saying this to be rude and I am not being bias, I am just speaking the truth. When I’m listening to the soundtrack and a small speaking part comes up I feel like I’m hearing a clip from a Disney film. This is not something someone wants to think, especially when it comes to music. Yes, Disney songs are very catchy and always seem to be hits with the children, but I am not a child and a song does not have to be sung by a woman with a very high pitched, squeaky voice! The American cast has somehow managed to transform a Broadway production into a commercial and pop-esque show.
Wicked the Musical has been a growing sensation ever since it made its debut over here in London. There are not many things to do in London that will truly be a night to remember. You can go anywhere in the world to have a nice meal, a drink at a pub or even a visit to a museum but only in London can you see the spectacular production that will let you escape from reality just for one night.
Monday 16 November 2009
Stairway To Heaven
In the Bible Heaven is known as a venue where the richest gifts and happiness will be bestowed upon us. The lucky and knowledgeable ones here on earth know you can go there during the week and have an amazing time in paradise.
By now I hope you have sussed out that I’m not talking about the ‘Kingdom of Christ’. I am referring to the gay club in Central London called Heaven. It naturally appeals primarily (but not exclusively) to the gay market but still offers the opportunity to have a fabulous time, even if you’re not of that sexual orientation.
For those of you who are the ultimate X Factor fans would be wise to attend G-A-Y (twinned with Heaven) on a Saturday night to see the latest act voted off perform, or you could just sit back and relax with a Simon Cowell or Cheryl Cole cocktail and watch the live TV show!
I never would have thought I would be attending Heaven to see a band but having been, seen and conquered the dance floor I would suggest you all set a date in your calendars to boogie the night away with drag queens and sickeningly good looking men who are (unfortunately for me) into other sickeningly good looking men!
By now I hope you have sussed out that I’m not talking about the ‘Kingdom of Christ’. I am referring to the gay club in Central London called Heaven. It naturally appeals primarily (but not exclusively) to the gay market but still offers the opportunity to have a fabulous time, even if you’re not of that sexual orientation.
For those of you who are the ultimate X Factor fans would be wise to attend G-A-Y (twinned with Heaven) on a Saturday night to see the latest act voted off perform, or you could just sit back and relax with a Simon Cowell or Cheryl Cole cocktail and watch the live TV show!
The majority of performers are from a pop/dance background. Heaven has been host to Alphabeat, Eurythmics and Cher. Despite being a mainstream club it manages to keep an intimate atmosphere. Admittedly it’s very different to where I would normally go for a gig, as I prefer a grotty local with old men sitting quietly on their own observing their surroundings.
I never would have thought I would be attending Heaven to see a band but having been, seen and conquered the dance floor I would suggest you all set a date in your calendars to boogie the night away with drag queens and sickeningly good looking men who are (unfortunately for me) into other sickeningly good looking men!
Sunday 15 November 2009
Underground London
The Lock Tavern is ‘a tarted up boozer in Camden’ that produces live bands and dj’s on a weekly basis. It’s a pub like no other - host to the likes of Alex Turner, Hot Chip and indie bands you wished you were in the front row to see before they were famous.
Gigs and concerts aren’t always about the ‘supergroups’. Great bands’ first performances were not at Wembley Stadium! You want to be in a tiny backroom where you can see everyone clearly as well have space to move around – somewhere that’s nice, intimate and private and you do not have to fight among random crowds all smelling of beer and other unpleasant aromas.
The Lock Tavern is special and authentic as it shines a light on some of the best young indie talent in the UK. Plus you are likely to discover rising stars like the amazing Leah Mason, my own personal recommendation for future stardom, now just about to sign to Geffen records. She is an all-round original girl with massive talent to boot. You heard it here first, guys!
Go and see for yourself every week...for free! (well, for the price of a pint...)
Gigs and concerts aren’t always about the ‘supergroups’. Great bands’ first performances were not at Wembley Stadium! You want to be in a tiny backroom where you can see everyone clearly as well have space to move around – somewhere that’s nice, intimate and private and you do not have to fight among random crowds all smelling of beer and other unpleasant aromas.
The Lock Tavern is special and authentic as it shines a light on some of the best young indie talent in the UK. Plus you are likely to discover rising stars like the amazing Leah Mason, my own personal recommendation for future stardom, now just about to sign to Geffen records. She is an all-round original girl with massive talent to boot. You heard it here first, guys!
Go and see for yourself every week...for free! (well, for the price of a pint...)
The Perfect Girl
Despite being 18 Leah Mason, singer-songwriter, has been creating an exciting buzz and building a strong fan base, with her Myspace page holding over 11,000 views. She has recently moved to London from Chichester and is about to sign to Geffen records despite having interests from other major record labels.
Leah’s passion for guitar began after seeing Eric Clapton play at the Royal Albert Hall. Since then, she has been performing for six years but her career kicked off in 2008 when she met her managers. At this time she was starting her final year at Bedales School and soon learnt to juggle between studying for her A Levels and doing gigs around the country.
Her first big break came playing at The Roundhouse, Camden with The Kooks, and since she has supported artists like Johnny Flynn, Ellie Goulding and most recently touring the UK with Paolo Nutini. Leah has said that the gigs with Paolo were “the most exhilarating moments in my life”.Leah describes the majority of her music as ‘guitar driven rock/pop’ however listening to ‘St Antoine’ or ‘Run Clear’ it is obvious she is not another Avril Lavigne. These songs show her versatility between genres. ‘St Antoine’ is a folk song whereas ‘Run Clear’ has a “sultry blues vibe”. Her influences range from Aretha Franklin to John Mayer.
Leah is currently searching for band members, continuing to write songs and hopes to follow in the footsteps of Old Bedalians like Lily Allen.
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