Think about any big British artist from the 2000s and early 2010s, and it’s likely the Camden Barfly is part of their story. Running under its name from 1996 to 2016, the legendary 200-capacity venue helped launch the successful careers of, quite literally, hundreds of acts, and now it’s coming back to the same space later in the month.
10 years on from the end of the Barfly as we knew it, the venue is re-launching with a show headlined by Frank Turner on Monday, June 22, with plenty more gigs on the horizon.
Propaganda Independent Venues are behind the reopening, which is taking place at its original Chalk Farm Road location. Frank Turner playing the (re)opening show is a nod to his first ever sold-out solo, which took place at the Barfly in 2006. His band, Million Dead, also played their very first show at the venue in 2001. 20 years on from Turner’s show, he’ll be back at the space for its second wind, with plenty more to follow after his show.
Alongside Frank Turner, many other huge artists played early gigs at the Barfly, with their past perfomers including: Coldplay, Amy Winehouse, Muse, The Cure, Ed Sheeran, The Strokes, Jamie T, My Chemical Romance, Kate Nash, Scissor Sisters, The 1975, Avril Lavigne, Ash, Pet Shop Boys, Suede, Bring Me The Horizon, The Libertines, Kasabian, Biffy Clyro, Sam Fender, and many, many more.
Speaking on the news, Propaganda Independent Venues co-founder Dan Ickowitz-Seidler said: “Barfly means so much to us all, and we’re honoured to be starting a new chapter in its story. We’ll be announcing more very special shows shortly, but Frank Turner is the perfect artist to relaunch the Barfly stage. He embodies everything Barfly stands for.
“I hope live music fans will come out and support not just Barfly, but grassroots venues across the country. Before so many of today’s biggest artists were filling arenas and headlining festivals, they played at Barfly. You could be watching the next festival headliner on our stage on any night. Before the arenas, they were here!”
Propaganda Independent Venues was co-founded by Dan Ickowitz-Seidler & Richard Buck, and the pair have joined up with Chris McCormack, who himself played the Barfly for the fist time with 3 Colours Red in 1997, to revive the beloved space.
Punters who went to the Camden Barfly during its heyday can expect an adapted look in the same space, with a new wall of fame that points to the venue’s history and artists that have played, as well as an updated PA & lighting rig, and a new listening bar inspired by those in Tokyo.
When do tickets to Frank Turner at the Barfly go on sale?
Tickets to see Frank Turner at the Camden Barfly will go on sale this Monday, June 15 at 9am. You will only be able to purchase tickets if you have signed up before on the Barfly’s website.
View the venue’s website for a full listing of upcoming shows, which also includes gigs from Car Underwater, Violet Grohl, Maya Lane, Scratcard Wednesday, DEAR TASH, and more.
