Backpackers Guide to London

Music Venues in London

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Introduction

After a long day of touring London, there’s no better way to unwind then to sample the London music scene.

London has a long tradition of music and the arts. From the medieval ballads to the foot-tapping music of the breakthrough pop band The Beatles, it has been the birthplace of many great musical artists.

It is no surprise, then, that London is home to many musical venues. You will find many of them conveniently located near your hotel, making it easy to enjoy a concert before heading back to your accommodations.

Music Venues

With so many music venues, the biggest dilemma of a tourist is to decide which one to attend. The most famous ones are Earl’s Court, Hammersmith Apollo, or the Royal Albert Hall—but of course, it all depends on what kind of music you want to listen to. There’s contemporary music, jazz, rhythm and blues, pop or even rock. And then there’s the price range. Some of the ritzier places not only have tickets or entrance fees, but may charge a lot for food and drinks. Others set a minimum consumable amount for food, supposedly waiving the ticket but requiring you, nonetheless, to spend a certain amount of money. Others are hole in the walls that may lack ambience but are known for fantastic musical acts.

To get this information, it’s best to ask the locals—perhaps someone at the customer service desk of your hotel accommodations, or forums of London music aficionados on the Internet.

The Barbican

Considered one of the wonders of the modern world, the Barbican has hosted 52,000 events with over 27 million patrons. The Barbican presents a unique programme of world-class performing and visual arts, together with various forms of classical and contemporary music. International theatre and dance, visual arts and design, and a cinema program are also part of its outstanding features.

Ashlee House, 261-265 Grays Inn Road, London WC1X 8QT, England
Tel: +44 (0)20 7833 9400 Fax: +44 (0)20 7833 9677