These are the best new music venues in London that you may never have been to before.
Music fans are always hungry for the new, but that normally just means finding new artists, new tracks and occasionally new genres that we like. Why stop there?
You may have a few favourite venues that you know and love, but there is never any harm in expanding that list and exploring the newer venues that have opened up near you. It’s a great way to have a brand new experience, and to support the independent music industry.
London may have lost 35% of its grassroots music venues since 2007, but things are slowly improving. New legislation that protects venues from developers, and the appointment of the city’s first “Night Czar” indicate a changing tide, and these brand new venues prove it.
So here we are, the best new London music venues for you to explore and enjoy in 2017. (Stay tuned for future lists if you’re not in the capital!)
1. Omeara, Southwark
The London Bridge area is infamous for the number of clubs that are closing there, so to have a new one opening up is really something special. Omeara was founded by Communion Records head honcho and Mumford and Sons member Ben Lovett.
Opening late last year the venue is a self-described “sprawling foreign land with life and love in the fabric of its being.” Its Regency ballroom-style main area has gone down a treat so far with music fans.
Upcoming gigs include: Oh Wonder, Will Heard, Tennis, and Omeara Got Soul.
2. The Sound Lounge, Tooting
The Sound Lounge in Tooting has been hailed as “good news for London’s live music scene,” and it’s seen praise from Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and London Night Czar Amy Lame.
The venue was opened earlier this year after a crowdfunding campaign raised over £12,000 for the project.
As well as a music venue, The Sound Lounge hosts a vegetarian cafe with highly acclaimed vegan brownies, and an arts centre that runs workshops and daytime events.
Upcoming gigs include: Ceri-Rose, Jake Morrell & Backwoods Creek, Blues Matters, The Modern Apes, and a secret mystery MOBO-nominated artist.
3. St Giles Circus, Tin Pan Alley
Okay, so this one isn’t slated to open until 2018, but you can still check out the building site to see how it’s shaping up. This redeveloped area near Denmark Street will actually house two new music venues; one with 800 capacity, one with 280.
Upcoming gigs include: nothing scheduled yet but listen out for news as the opening date draws nearer.
4. The Music Box, South Bank
The London College of Creative Media’s new South Bank campus has been in the works for a long time. Finally opening in 2017, in the building’s basement will be The Music Box: a 200-capacity venue.
Opening at the end of September, the venue will host gigs, club nights, and masterclasses from famous musicians for students and the public.
Upcoming gigs include: nothing announced so far, but a spokesperson says, “the gigs and club nights will strongly support new and independent music.”
5. The Jazz Cafe, Camden
The Jazz Cafe has been the London home of classic Hip Hop, R&B and, yes, Jazz for years now, but a recent £3 million refurbishment has transformed the place enough to earn it a spot on this list.
The venue now has far more standing space, a new dining area, two bars, and seating areas. Since reopening in 2016, the new improved Jazz Cafe has continued to host the best of Jazz, Hip Hop and R&B, alongside some of the most in-demand names in electronic music.
Upcoming shows include: Trevor Nelson, Odyssey, Big Daddy Kane, Jocelyn Brown, and Omar.
For more about venues and clubbing in London any beyond, read these:
10 Best UK Venues – Staff Picks
London’s clubbing scene: the promoter’s view
How to start your own club night