Music
London venue guide: the best local music and comedy clubs
The bright city lights of London really do attract the very best stars in music and comedy, leaving the capital with a whole host of brilliant venues.
Narrowing down the best spots for music and comedy in London is no easy task, so we’ve edited things down to the places newcomers will want to check out first. Don’t forget to tell us your favourite venue over at @TicketmasterUK.
Jazz Cafe
Where: 5 Parkway, London, NW1 7PG
Why: Don’t be fooled by the name, this legendary venue caters for everything from hip-hop and R&B to reggae, funk and soul.
Who: Damage, Joel Driscoll, Trevor Nelson Presents Soul Nation, The Souljazz Orachestra, Kym Mazelle and Jon Gomm are all coming up.
Bush Hall
Where: 310 Uxbridge Road, London, W12 7LJ
Why: Folk, nu-folk and as many folk-related genres as this unassuming Edwardian building can pack in.
Who: Brian McFadden, Luke Haines, Vennart, Bruce Cockburn, Dan Baird and Robert Forster are all playing this side of 2015.
Heaven
Where: Under The Arches, Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6NG
Why: Fondly known as London’s first gay superclub, this central venue now hosts some of the biggest gigs in indie, electro and pop to boot.
Who: Foxes, Spector, Lion Babe and Nao are upcoming, as well as the Covent Garden Comedy Club nights.
Dingwalls
Where: Middle Yard, London, NW1 8AB
Why: This unique venue is the beating heart of Camden, with a history that dates as far back as 1973. Expect big rock, indie and electro tours, as well as secret sets from arena bands and regular club nights.
Who: Arcane Roots, Gin Wigmore, Fickle Friends, Gong and The Wurzels play soon.
The Old Blue Last
Where: 39 Gt Eastern Street, London, EC2A 3ES
Why: Thanks to the tastemakers at Vice, this East London venue is a hotbed for new and emerging artists across rock, metal, indie, folk, electro and hip-hop. If it’s categorised as some kind of cool, you’ll probably find it here.
Who: Heyrocco, Every Time I Die, Palm Reader, Community 2015 with Dead! and Shvpes, Charlie Barnes and Skinny Girl Diet are just our top picks.
Underworld
Where: 174 Camden High ST, London, NW1 0NE
Why: Housed below Camden’s World’s End pub, the city’s alternative scene floods the venue regularly for metal, punk and rock gigs, plus regular club nights.
Who: Chunk! No, Captain Chunk!, Every Time I Die, Motionless In White, Carnifex and Gnarwolves are all staking claim on the venue in 2015.
Soho Theatre
Where: 21 Dean Street, London, W1D 3NE
Why: There are fewer opportunities to catch comedy’s finest in the confines of a cosy 150-seat theatre. The Soho venue also houses a second 90-seat upstairs, along with another cabaret space and bar area.
Who: Adam Hess, Josie Long, Matt Forde, Sean McLoughlin and Tom Perry all take to the stage this month, as well as a Work In Progress shows from the likes of Michael McIntyre.
There’s no forgetting London’s array of spectacular arena venues, with the likes of The SSE Arena, Wembley, The O2 and Eventim Apollo, as well as the brilliant O2 Academy venues in Islington, Shepherd’s Bush Empire and Brixton.
