Saying that London has a lot to offer in terms of leisure and entertainment is definitely an understatement. There are so many things to do and see here that the city’s leisure economy is a massive industry in itself. It is estimated that Londoners spend more than £150 a month on leisure and the total earning of this sector alone amount to almost 10 billion pounds. If you add to this the 2.7 billion pounds spent by international tourists, you can understand why London is an entertainment hub.
Moreover, the city has something for every taste and if you’re into music, these are the most iconic spots that nobody should miss in London, whether you’re a tourist or a local. In other words, no trip to the Big Smoke is complete without visiting at least a few of these places. Music venues here have a long history and a well-known reputation. Overall, there is no shortage of live music and rocking clubs, but you do need to know where to start from, as the complete list is more than overwhelming.
THE O2
We’ll start with the most obvious candidate, the largest indoor music venue in the city, with room for over 20K people. The glitz and glamour of VIP services and corporate boxes is complemented by the more affordable regular tickets allowing you to see some of the biggest names in music perform live.
THE O2 BRIXTON ACADEMY
Be careful not to confuse the two – this legendary hall opened as theater initially, back in 1929 and is home to the continent’s largest fixed stage. Huge names like Amy Winehouse and Madonna have graced the stage along the years, and despite the 5K-people capacity, the iconic character of the Brixton Academy cannot be denied.
THE ROYAL ALBERT HALL
Opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria herself, this hotspot has been among the top London concert venues ever since. Visitors are always perplexed by the spectacular dome, the particular colour display and the world-class acts that can be enjoyed in a relatively cozy atmosphere of only 5 thousand people or so.
BARBICAN HALL & WIGMORE HALL
Listening to live classical music here is something of another planet, due to the unique acoustics of this auditorium. The Brutalist architecture might be deterring for some people, but if you’re up for a fine musical experience, this is the place to be. Wigmore Hall is also mostly known for its incredible acoustics and breathtakingly beautiful interior.
UNION CHAPEL
Despite being a working church, Union Chapel regularly hosts world-class artists and award-winning musicians with a diverse range of styles and genres. The impressive Gothic design makes this venue a local favourite and can host almost one thousand people, making the overall vibe quite an intimate one.
RONNIE SCOTT’S & JAZZ CAFÉ
This might not be the most evident pairing of venues, but they most excel formidably with respect to jazz music, and have done so for a long time. The former opened in 1959 and has quickly become one of the most famous jazz clubs on the planet, while the latter is newer, having opened its doors in 1992, but has also managed to come close to the same level in a shorter time span.
KOKO
It used to be a theater, then a cinema, and since 1900, it has promoted some of the most popular British bands and singers of the 20th century. Tiered seating is available, along with standing room, and the variety of music genres performed here range from rock and pop to contemporary dance acts.
THE ROUNDHOUSE
Only a 15-minute walk away from Koko, this former engine house built in the 19th century has been of the London’s best venues for performing arts over the ages. The place was thoroughly refurbished in 2006 and enjoys state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, along with unique acoustics. Bob Dylan, Lady Gaga and Britney Spears are some of the biggest names to have performed here.
HYDE PARK & VICTORIA PARK
Outdoor concerts are frequent in the summer in both Hyde Park and Victoria Park. BST Hyde Park is a noteworthy annual event hosting several world-class artists, while East London’s Victoria Park is also home to the All Points East Festival, and once hosted Lovebox Festival and Field Day.
Did we miss any notable spots? Let us know!
