Live music in Camden
Time Out's guide to the hottest live music venues in Camden
Camden Town has more than its fair share of iconic music venues. Up near Chalk Farm station, The Roundhouse has hosted Pink Floyd and Jimi Hendrix, and Koko (formerly Camden Palace) was the home of Britpop. But these days the best gigs in Camden tend to happen on small pub stages, at places like The Barfly, where up-and-coming indie bands keep the racket going seven nights a week. Here are the best places to catch gigs in Camden.
Camden's best gig venues
Roundhouse
A one-time railway turntable shed, the Roundhouse was used for experimental theatre and hippie happenings in the 1960s before becoming a rock venue in the '70s.
The Underworld
A dingy maze of pillars and bars below Camden, this subterranean oddity is an essential for metal and hardcore fans.
Electric Ballroom
Still shamelessly dining out on its place in Camden's music history, Electric Ballroom likes nothing better than to revel in the roll-call of rockers that have graced the venue: Sid Vicious, U2, The Clash, Red Hot Chili Peppers… the list is indeed impressive.
Barfly
Venue says: “'Straight Outta Camden' – at The Camden Assembly every Saturday night. £5 entry.”
It's no exaggeration to describe this corner venue as an institution, since it's welcomed across the threshold of its rather shabby upstairs room early London appearances by Coldplay, Franz Ferdinand, Futureheads and The Vines, among countless others.
The Enterprise
Describing itself as 'the one and only true pub left in Camden', this warm (there's a fire in winter), dark wood-dominated, shabbily chic venue is frequently packed.
Dingwalls (Lock 17)
Bringing Camden the delights of guitar music since 1973, this venue in Camden Lock might largely put on bands that tend towards the lesser known, but they still manage to pull off the odd coup.
Camden's best upcoming gigs
Rodrigo Y Gabriela
Childhood friends Rodrigo Sanchez and Gabriela Quintero used to be in a thrash metal band before they moved to the seaside to hone their slinky, enjoyable, AOR-tinged take on flamenco. They're now international stars with four albums under their belts, including material with a full band accompanying the pair.
Conor Oberst
The divisive Bright Eyes main man steps out solo, with a set that'll lean heavily on his new album 'Ruminations'. He cloaks clever lyrics in sweet wooziness and stripped-back, piano warmth, but can also kick it with gritty, kick-ass rock and occasional acoustic interludes.
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The Blues Kitchen Camden
This lively, contemporary bar-diner on the main Camden drag celebrates American musical heritage in song (live shows, DJs, free harmonica lessons), spirits and sustenance. The food is all-American in spirit and substance, with barbecue and burgers featuring prominently. Though you can, if you insist, order a 'superfood salad.' There are around 50 bourbons in a variety of categories, some used as bases for cocktails. Rarer types (Blanton’s Gold, Sazerac 18-Year-Old Rye, Woodford Reserve 1838 Sweet Mash) go for a tenner or more, but otherwise you’ll be paying £3.50 to £6. ‘America’s native spirit’ is how Kentucky bourbon is described, with Ancient Age and Evan Williams typical examples; Tennessee, ‘the first cousin of Kentucky’, is honoured with a full suit of Jack Daniel’s labels.
Venue says: “Free birthday bubbly for parties booking in for drinks at Blues Kitchen Camden on Friday nights. Get in touch for more details.”
Love this part of town.
One of the best nights ever was a private gig at Camden Guitars (opposite the entrance to The Market)
It was very special