From Glasgow to Bristol and everywhere in between, Britain’s music venues have played an instrumental role in the world of Rock’n'Roll, and that could easily be considered an understatement. Indispensable from the music scene, as one could not exist without them, they have played a vital, even crucial role through the simple act of cherishing and cultivating musical greatness. Whether it’s an arena, a palatial theatre or a sweat-scented club, a dingy pub or a loo-sized bar, it makes no difference whatsoever. The birthplace of copious rock-stars, in these temples of music, artists and music aficionados alike have found and continue to find a creative refuge and most importantly perhaps, a sanction to Rock.
Here are some of the most legendary British music venues to check out for yourselves. And although quite historic, as they can all boast having numerous superstars performing at their premises, they are also far from being dated, as they continue to nurture the best, most cutting-edge artists out there, as they have been doing for decades.
King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut
Glasgow
A venue with a capacity of about 300 would usually be called intimate. But in King Tut’s case, we will call it tiny, as the acts it attracts usually play for crowds of thousands. Known as the spot where Oasis were discovered, Radiohead, Pulp and Blur have all been on the line-up. Furthermore, it has also been placed at number 7 on a list of 50 places to visit in the world by New York Magazine in 2006, Mount Kilimanjaro was number 9 on the list.
Rock City
Nottingham
With 3 rooms and a capacity of around 2000, Rock City is bang in the centre of Nottingham. Some of the first major acts on the bill have included R.E.M, The Cure and U2. While George Akins who took over the venue’s managerial duties at the tender age of 19, now 39, has seen Courtney Love roaming around naked backstage, and David Bowie arriving with a truck carrying four huge couches and a Persian rug for his dressing room.
The 100 Club
London
Open since the 40’s, the 100 Club has hosted most major Blues and R&B musicians, in successive years it hosted The Kinks, The Rolling Stones, Jeff Beck and Eric Clapton and more recently Paul McCartney. Even Alice Cooper got to play a gig with his mate Johnny Depp in 2011. So it’s quite safe to say that the 100 Club is definitely legendary.
The O2 Academy
Brixton, London
From Prince to Marilyn Manson, practically everyone has played in the O2 Academy. And having hosted some pretty historic Rock moments, like the last ever Smiths show, it is one of the most well known legendary venues.
The Thekla
Bristol
With a Banksy art piece of the Grim Reaper in a rowboat on its side, Thekla is quite unique as a music venue, and not because of the Banksy piece but because it’s a boat, something that even the artists that are booked to play the venue fail to notice before showing up. In recent years the line up has included Mumford & Sons, The XX and British Sea Power.
