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© Annique Delphine | Coldplay at the iTunes Music Festival 2011

Roundhouse

This brick behemoth is a place to soak up Camden's radical past and present
  • Music | Music venues
  • Chalk Farm
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Time Out says

This aptly-named circular venue and Camden landmark has decades of radical theatre and music history behind it: its round brick walls have been rocked by the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane and The Doors. These days it still plays host to an eclectic range of big-name music acts from Alex G and Orville Peck to Imogen Heap. It also hosts live poetry, dance and a programme of arts courses and workshops for young people. 

Constructed in 1846 as a turntable shed for the London and Birmingham railway, the Roundhouse – a Grade II-listed building – has a long and illustrious history, including spells as a liquor warehouse and long periods of disuse. But it came into its own as a legendary music venue in the ’60s/’70s, when it hosted radical happenings of every flavour, including theatre critic Kenneth Tynan's scandalous nude revue ‘Oh! Calcutta’ in 1969. Work on the extensive overhaul/refurbishment began in 2004 and it reopened in 2006 as a modern arts and mixed-media performance space with strong community bias. The main room benefits from a high domed ceiling and Victorian metal 'ribs', and a flexible auditorium that can house seated audiences for theatre or cabaret shows, or standing crowds for gigs. 

Details

Address
Chalk Farm Rd
London
NW1 8EH
Transport:
Tube: Chalk Farm
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What’s on

Roundhouse Three Sixty

Serving up an eclectic mix of live music, visual arts, spoken word, podcasts and club nights, Roundhouse Three Sixty is a springtime festival at Chalk Farm’s famous circular arts venue. After its first edition last year, it's back for a second run that coincides with the 20th anniversary of Roundhouse's big relaunch as a youth-centric arts space. The month is headlined by some massive names. Imogen Heap will drop in for an evening of songs and conversations with her AI-powered alias ai.mogen (Apr 17). Kae Tempest will introduce his new novel ‘Having Spent Life Seeking’ (Apr 16). And Amaarae's ‘Black Star Experience’ (Apr 23) is a live show based on her acclaimed latest album. But elsewhere on the line-up you'll find loads of opportunities for rising voices to make their mark. Academy Award-winning actor Daniel Kaluuya is collaborating with 21 emerging theatremakers to create new play ‘Centre 59’ (Apr 9-12). Gorillaz drummer and Ezra Collective bandleader Femi Koleoso will host ‘Good Vibes Day’ (Apr 25), with affordable family music workshops followed by a club night in the evening. And there's also an experiental exhibition based on the lives of young people called ‘From Soundboy to Streaming: Collective and Individual Joy.’ The prices are refreshingly low, too, with tickets for under-30s starting at just a fiver. Get down there for an affordable, inspiring dose of culture this spring.
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