A Guide to London’s Music Scene
London is a must-visit destination if you are a music fan. From Grime to Rock n’ Roll, there is so much music to enjoy. Music lovers also get to enjoy various elements of London’s music scene as well as various iconic areas in the city. Whether you are looking to party or are looking to enjoy London’s rich musical history, here is what you need to enjoy your visit.
The UK is known for its great live music and most of it can be experienced in the summertime. However, the music does not stop simply because summertime has passed. There are numerous venues that continue to showcase the best artists and bands in London.
One of these is Old Street Records. This venue stands out due to its unique mix of EP launches, established mainstream artists, and new artists trying to break into the music scene. If you are looking for something more intimate, you can always go down to the basement where intimate jazz nights are held routinely.
The Brink is the spot that now stands where Smitty’s used to be. It is also a funk and jazz bar that routinely features a bevy of interesting artist line-ups. The space is intimate and generally not too loud.
If you are interested in venturing to East London, you should visit the Signature Brew in Haggerston. The bar prides itself on both the quality of the beer served and the music played inside. The bar accommodates both fans and artists, with lots of live music nights and sessions recommended for anyone passing through East London.
There is no doubt that the 60s were a period of musical revolution around the world and London was not left behind. The Swinging 60s experience tour bus is designed to take you back to the most iconic areas of the city – areas that shaped the city’s music and culture in the 60s. The tour includes live commentary as you visit various destinations including the Royal Albert Hall and the Hard Rock Café.
The tickets for the bus tour cost £40 per person, with options to take group and private bus tours. The cost of the tour is worth it, especially considering how knowledgeable the tour operators are.
You can always visit the Handel & Hendrix House in West London. This is a fascinating museum that allows people to visit, see and experience the homes of two of the greatest musicians the world has ever seen. You can see and feel their musical inspirations even though Hendrix’s and Handel’s careers were over 200 years apart.
To have a well-rounded understanding of London’s music scene, it is important to understand the underground music scene. The underground music scene is composed of artists who are looking to break the traditional mold of how music should and does sound. Underground artists like Lave La Rue are looking to redefine how music is created for the groups they represent sounds. Lava has already released five tracks that seek to redefine how queer music sounds like.
Another notable artist in the London underground music scene is P-rallel. He is a producer, DJ, vocalist, and self-proclaimed visionary. P-rallel says that his music is supposed to showcase the culture and heritage of West London and this sentiment can be seen in the video he has released for his music.
Cleo Sol seeks to elevate the status of contemporary R&B in London. Cleo has already recorded music with the likes of Angel and Little Sims and is looking forward to recording and releasing more music as well as collaborating with other artists in the future.
The underground music scene in London is very accepting, with artists recording within various genres including hip hop and R&B, or even creating their own sounds. Those looking to get started, either as underground artists or as mainstream artists, can flex their creativity in a London music studio. The PIRATE recording studios in London are created for artists with diverse needs and processes in mind. Artists get access to recording, writing, and production studios, all equipped with everything a budding or experienced artist would need to put their sound out.
If you love collecting vinyl and records, then you cannot leave London without visiting Berwick Street. Berwick Street has been the go-to destination for vinyl lovers since the 1980s. It boasts lots of independent music stores including Reckless and Sister Ray. Because these stores have been around for so long, you can find almost any record from the 1970s through the 1990s.
The 100 club is a basement club that started as a swing club before being transformed into an iconic jazz club. Louis Armstrong, David Bowie, the Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, and Oasis have all performed on this club’s stage. This compact basement club is still hosting gigs, musical history events, secret shows, and dance classes.
There is an endless list of iconic spots that music lovers should visit to experience and be part of London’s music heritage. The first is The Beatles’ zebra crossing on Abbey Road. This is the spot where the iconic album cover for their 11th studio album was shot. Since then, thousands of people have visited the zebra crossing to recreate the photo. Since all the band’s records from 1962 and 1970 were recorded at the Abbey Road Studios, both the studios and the zebra crossing have been designated English heritage sites.
The second is Denmark Street. This is not a spot but rather a street where most of London’s music management companies and music publishers were based in the 50s and 60s. Elton John, the Rolling Stones, the Sex Pistols, and David Bowie have all recorded at least one single on this street.
The music scene in London is composed of aspects of the city’s rich musical history and lots of modern additions to its music scene. Those interested in history can always take a guided tour of the city or visit the most iconic spots in the city, while those looking to experience the modern music scene have lots of venues to choose from.
