My first trip to this renowned venue came last week to see Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band.
This is a place run with a view to making people enjoy themselves. It makes SUCH a difference when the comfort of customers and how good a time they have are top of the list of considerations for a live music establishment. The gig I went to was sold out but it was so comfortable, with plenty of room to move about so it wasn't too hot, remained uncrowded, and we had a very nice time.
Very friendly people on the door and running the bar which opens in to the venue and also to a bar room the other side. Not a bad choice of beer and not too badly priced. I don't think this place edges my beloved Brudenell in Leeds but it's still a very fine establishment. The door policy is relaxed so you can go in and out very easily and the strict searches and ID hassles of venues in London is totally absent.
I only saw an acoustic show last week but the sound was absolutely spot on - crisp and you could hear everything the musicians were doing. I'd like to see something really noisy here sometime to see how the sound system handles that.
This is a place I'll be coming to again for sure... read more