Where to find great live music in London?

**Capt. E** · Jun-29-2012, 10:09am

Going to be in London for 6 nights : 25, 26, 27 August (staying Kensington area) and then 2, 3 & 4 Sept (staying Westminster area). Any live music venues or clubs I shouldn't miss? Will, of course, be going to the Notting Hill fair on 27th. Suggestions appreciated. Don't think I'll be taking a mandolin with me.

**Ray(T)** · Jun-29-2012, 10:41am

If you need a rest from the big city, take the train to a traditional British seaside resort - Brighton. ....but don't go on Sunday or Monday 'cos TAMCO is closed!

**blueron** · Jun-29-2012, 11:07am

My friend in London says the original listings source, the online version of Time Out, is still the best place to look for things to do or see.

Updated: he tells me this site is good for 'roots music' and the likes - which is probably where Irish/Folk/Blues/Trad music would be pigeon-holed.

ron

**Capt. E** · Jun-29-2012, 4:21pm

Yeah, I know about "Time Out" and the "Rock and Reel site looks pretty cool. We'll be in Plymouth and Brighton in between, tues, wed etc. Will look for some good local places there...pubs of course...etc.

**trevor** · Jun-30-2012, 3:13am

If you are in Brighton come and say hello. I have a few nice mandolins you might like to see.

**Jimdalf** · Jun-30-2012, 3:19am

Hurray! I grew up in Plymouth which leads me to beg the question, why are you going there? For the unassuming Mayflower steps? none of my business but I am very nosey. Watch out for the janners, they'll be uncouth at the drop of a hat.

**Capt. E** · Jul-02-2012, 9:55am

The trip is a long overdue vacation to Britain. As part of the tour, my wife picked out a tour of Devon/Cornwall (have never visited that part of Britain before). Probably the typical tour itinerary, but there will be a decent amount of free time in which to explore. We tacked on 3 days in London at each end of the tour.

I am sure the Pilgrim Steps will be part of it, but as I am a historian of sorts, I will find it interesting. I do have ancestors that sailed from Plymouth to the Massachusetts Colony in 1632. My father's line were Holland Dutch that arrived New Amsterdam (New York/Long Island) in 1699.

**Capt. E** · Jul-02-2012, 9:56am

Originally Posted by trevor

If you are in Brighton come and say hello. I have a few nice mandolins you might like to see.

Very impressive list of stock, you have. Tom Ellis is a friend of mine here in Austin. I'll put you in my notebook. Hope to come say hello and try out an instrument or two.

**jesserules** · Jul-02-2012, 12:38pm

Originally Posted by Capt. E

Yeah, I know about "Time Out" and the "Rock and Reel site looks pretty cool. We'll be in Plymouth and Brighton in between, tues, wed etc. Will look for some good local places there...pubs of course...etc.

for pubs, order a copy of The Good Beer Guide 2012 from amazon. a great resource!

**mick pierce** · Jul-02-2012, 12:51pm

hi Capt E If you like some bluesy music you can go along to the ( ain't nothing but club ) at 20 kingly st soho if you type the name into google you will see the gig list, and there music on each night that you are in town and its free if you are in early i believe, well it used to be. its a very lively club small and intimate, anyway i hope you enjoy your stay, not bluegrass but good music.

**Beanzy** · Jul-02-2012, 3:10pm

Monday Sept 3rd should have the Forest Hill jam session on if you do bring the mandolin. (The weekend before is the Didmarton Bluegrass Festival in Gloucestershire, which is the highlight of BG fest in the UK. maybe you could sneak off the bus on the way back up to London and high-tail it over there?)

If you go to Camden market then there's a funky Turkish restaurant called Gilgamesh which is worth a meal.

On the 4th in the Borderline you could see Frank Fairfield & Doug Paisley

A place I like to go which is a proper dingey underground venue is http://www.the100club.co.uk/ may be worth a rummage for inspiration.

Not sure what the itinerary is down Plymouth way, but if you're heading towards the Eden Project, Fowey, Falmouth or anywhere in Cornwall I can give you more specific ideas. I'd need to know how independent you are in terms of movement / own transport etc (Plymouth can be interesting from a naval history point of view, but it's also a current naval town with all the "charm" that goes with that.

**Mandolin Mick** · Jul-02-2012, 4:03pm

There are great musicians in the Tube (subway)! I've heard virtuoso violinists playing Vivaldi, stick players, folk musicians, jazz sax players ... you name it!