You can't miss Village Underground thanks to the four brightly coloured, graffiti-covered tube carriages, now artists' studios, perched on its roof. The recycled Jubilee line carriages, and accompanying shipping containers, accommodate a community of artists, writers, designers, filmmakers and musicians. Their renovated Victorian warehouse space hosts exhibitions, concerts theatre, live art and club nights. Plans are underway to turn one of the exterior walls, a spot already popular with local street artists, into a permanent exhibition site.
Village Underground is a beautiful place, with a prog of activities both inspiring and memorable. First time I went there was for a night of concerts. I discovered Batida, a musician that I highly recommend if you don't know him yet. The place is not too big, which is great for the atmosphere and the acoustic. The second time I attended a life drawing session. Several models were posing, dancing and projecting lights over the walls and their bodies. All was accompanied by music which made it kind of magical.
I really like this venue, the open warehouse space somehow retains an intimacy perfect for gigs. The venue seems to lend itself to underground electronic acts, I recently saw East India Youth and The Gaslamp Killer here and both gigs were incredibly atmospheric. It's worth getting in the mix as opposed to standing on the periphery, that way your view isn't obscured by the arches and you get to appreciate the acoustics at their best.
Very quirky.. where else can you see tube carriages on top of a building?! Only in Shoreditch of course! Looks very cool from the outside. The downstairs area is just as interesting, with its secret archways to the bar and cloakrooms. The venue itself is good for intimate gigs and performances. The brick arched walls are good for the acoustics too..almost feels like the band are playing a private gig in your living room! Drinks are overpriced but as expected. More gigs here please!
Upstairs: It's wonderful that some visionary person had the idea of taking disused Underground carriages, painting them according them to a Mario Bros, planting them atop a Shoreditch building, and turning them into offices. This is the kind of out-of-the-box thinking that keeps London looking interesting.
Downstairs: The venue is an agreeably small size, and the underground setting is atmospheric. However, the lack of ventilation means that things get sweaty quickly.
I'm a big fan of clubs and bars in arches. Maybe because I cut my clubbing teeth at Glasgow's The Arches (RIP). Either way, Village Underground instantly wins good club points for being in an arch. My main bugbear is that it could do with another arch. It's essentially just one big space, with the bar off the side, and if I'm expected to party for 6 hours I like to have a bit more variety and to be able to go for a wander. Shoreditch sadly being the new Soho, makes the crowd in here mixed at times - city types that have sloped up from Liverpool St party alongside young hipsters that haven't quite cottoned on the fact that Shoreditch is no longer where the party is at. The staff are friendly, the queues tend to move fast (unless you're a smoker & have to queue to get back outside) and they host many a great London club night. Drinks are typical club prices - around £5 a drink, making you die a little bit inside every time you requench your thirst.
This is a really cool place to go. My first time here was seeing Max Cooper perform - the space is incredible. Exposed brick and a plethora of twinkly lights. Appealed to my inner magpie! Bit of a queue to get in but I would definitelty come back and check out this space for an exhibition. High ceilings and good atmosphere in a seriously cool bit of London. Have a look - it's a really inspiring place!
