We all have our favourite musical haunts in the city, with live sound being such a massive part of so many people’s lives in this city. However, we’ll sadly all have a bittersweet case of longing in this regard, with some of London’s best venues being ones that are no more.
Whether you miss the Hammersmith Palais or the Astoria, or still aren’t over the closure of the beloved Corsica Studios earlier this year, there are so many spots that Londoners, or those who have passed through the city experiencing music, wish they could watch just one more gig at.
From this Saturday, you’ll be able to remember them in a new way, with the V&A South Kensington opening up a free exhibition, titled Lost Music Venues, that looks back on some of London and the rest of the UK’s music venues that are no more.
Lost Music Venues
How has this come about? Last year, you might remember that the V&A put out a call for people to share their stories about venues that are no more. At that time, more than 3,000 venues had closed in the UK since the pandemic, and you’ll certainly be able to add more to that list now. Lost Music Venues highlights this fact while celebrating the impact old venues had in their lifespan as hubs for creative expression.
At the exhibition, there are over 100 items telling the story of 50 former venues from across the UK. Notable trinkets include a vast array of posters for shows, gig ticket stubs, membership cards, and photos of nights at the venues.
There’s also lyrics to Half The World Away from the Oasis tour bus, a setlist from a Blur show at the old Bull And Gate, and outfits on display that punters will have worn to shows. Across the exhibit, more than half the items are from public donations!
Moving along the space, you’ll also be able to see signage from venues like the beloved London Astoria and Manchester’s mythical-status-boasting Haçienda Club, as well as setting up a ticket counter, cloakroom, green room, and club toilets to give you the full music venue experience.
It’s a nod to the makeup of London’s glittering music past that also champions its current grassroots scene and the need to protect it from the threat of more closures. It’s running at the V&A in South Kensington from this Saturday (May 30), and is completely free to view.