All in All

Going to as many gigs as we do you sort of start to form a feeling on whether to see someone based on the venue. This can come down to a combination of many things; location, accessibility, bar layout and service, view of stage, expected audience, etc. I have my favourites - Luminaire, ICA, Bush Hall, Scala, Kings College, Forum - those I find hit and miss - Hammersmith Odeon, Brixton Academy, Astoria - and those I absolutely despise. I've blogged once before about how appallingly suited the former Camden Palace aka KOKO is. Last night I went to see Cat Power at the newly refurbished Roundhouse and what should have been a fantastic gig was utterly ruined by the venue. Absolutely awful - vast, no gradiented floor, like a giant KOKO so unless you you get there early and get close to the front, and don't want a drink or to go to the toilet, you struggle to see the stage over everyone else's head and in that case the majority of people around you end up talking because they can't get into the act. We moved six time last night to get away from people who couldn't keep quiet for even one whole song and never found a decent place to enjoy the show. Like KOKO, I won't be rushing back to the Roundhouse unless it is for someone I desperately want to see.

Strangely enough, like KOKO, the Roundhouse is in Camden (or at least on the outskirts). So are Dingwalls and the Electric Ballroom, two more venues I add to the worst venues in London list. Funny how Camden seems to have the highest density of crap venues, its only saving grace is the Jazz Cafe.

# posted by hitch @ 1:48 PM