This took some thinking... Well, seeing as I go to so many gigs (over 170 this year), I though Id share the best venues I went to this year. I have been to some better venues than those listed below, but just not in the last year! These are not in order, just a top 20. Hebden Bridge Trades Club In the last year or so Id heard a great deal about this place up in Yorkshire, with people saying how good it was. And with that I wanted to visit it to see for myself, and got the opportunity when Clinic, supported by The Lucid Dream, announced a gig there. After parking a mere 50 feet from the entrance (I drive everywhere so ease of parking is a big thing, especially thinking how/where bands will unload) Upstairs was a very pleasant bar area, and this I proved even more when it also became the back area of the venue, so you could see right through to the stage. Friendly staff, great sound, a good atmosphere, easy to park up, this is a venue Si will be going back to! The Water Rats, Kings Cross Well, weve now had to say goodbye to it, which is a great shame. I know it had its critics from people who went there with different promoters at the helm, but I loved The Water Rats as a venue. Really good sound, great sound engineers, friendly staff, easy to load in, and we were able to create a really warm and friendly vibe for our nights. The Victoria, Dalston An interesting venue. Not the place youd expect to have gigs taking place, but after going to a few gigs, and putting on a few of ourselves, this is becoming a venue I do like. Great sound, good sound engineers, friendly and helpful staff (both before and now with a new management team, who have updated the sound system and giving the place a bit of a refurb too) mean this is a venue I will be going back to. Parking is local too. The Windmill, Brixton A long time favourite! Looking like a community centre/working mens club in a side street off the main road, you either know where it is or you have no idea! Always good sound, great sound engineer, friendly people, smoking areas outside, barbecues in the summer, decent beer too, they put on some cracking nights of music that you should be checking out! Easy to load in and good parking too. Sebright Arms, Hackney This is now one of my favourite venues. Located just off Hackney Road, it sprung to my attention at a similar time to The Shacklewell Arms, with me one moment knowing nothing of either, then suddenly lots of bands I knew were playing them! Superb sound, brilliant sound engineers, food and drink a bit pricey but very good quality. Easy to load in and with great local parking. ArcTanGent, Compton Martin, Somerset Yeah, its a festival site. But superbly laid out for 4 stages with toilets, camping, parking, food and drink and more! Great sound in all 4 spaces, with everything about it being quality. If youre a post-rock fan, then you must go in 2015. Effenaar, Eindhoven A 2 day visit there this year for Eindhoven Psych Lab, and what a treat! Yes its in the Netherlands, but it was a 3 hour trip door to hotel door (cab, coach, plane, bus and walking), quicker than going to Birmingham! Great sound from the 2 stages, great food, drink, smoking areas, chill out areas and merch stalls. Its in June. You should go. The Hope & Anchor, Islington Where it all started out for Goodsoul Promotions! Had been there a couple of times, became more aware of its past when we used it, and loved it. Superb sound by Rich, be it acoustic or heavy psychedelic, and a great vibe at our nights. Decent food and good drink, easy to load in with plenty of local parking. Green Door Store, Brighton Decent little venue a stones throw from the station, with parking a few minutes walk away. Sound always pretty good, and some great bands play there. No food but drink is OK. Sticky Mikes Frog Bar, Brighton A short walk from the station but easier to park closer to, this is another decent little venue. Sound is always good when Ive been there, and it has a nice little vibe going. Good pizzas and decent drink too! The Hope, Brighton Completing my triumvirate of Brighton venue is The Hope. A short walk from the station, and a few minutes from parking, this is an easy venue to get to. Decent pub downstairs, with the venue upstairs. More importantly it has great sound! Camp & Furnace, Liverpool Going from strength to strength, the site for the Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia has 3 gig spaces which provide very good sound in the main, good food and drink, chill out areas, a brand new area for merch, and a weekend of the highest quality music! The Black Heart, Camden A gem in the heart of Camden. I almost dont want to share it, but I will because you deserve it! A brilliant pub with great food and drink, then upstairs is the venue. Great sound, and some quality nights of music for those who like their music a tad heavier! Parking is possible locally within a short walk. Rough Trade East I know, its a record shop! But having seen a number of bands play there, it holds its own as a decent venue too. Very good sound, a wide range of music can be found here and always be great quality, even if youre not a fan of whos playing! Parking is a short walk away - and so are the toilets! Hare & Hounds, Small Heath Been here a few times now too! Located in Birmingham, its a good little boozer with a couple of venues upstairs. They always manage to get very good sound in there, and a decent vibe going too. Parking is very close by too. The Good Ship, Kilburn Prize for the oddest shaped music venue! Just up from where The Luminaire once was, is The Good Ship. Despite the pit like qualities of the stage and area in front, there is always good sound here. Beers pretty good too, and have had some cracking nights here! Can park a couple of minutes walk away too. The Half Moon, Putney Been here a few times, and always a good night! Can have a very intimate feel to it too. Always decent sound, and with good food and drink, and easy local parking to boot, a venue I enjoy going to. The Shacklewell Arms, Hackney Been here loads of times. Sound is decent more often than not, and have seen some brilliant bands here too! Outside area for smoking, and decent food and drink as well. Parking a short walk away. Hoxton Bar & Kitchen Go to quite a few gigs here, and the sound is generally very good. Seems to be at its worst when its packed out in there. Good food and drink, parking a short walk away. Its the best venue for its size that I know. Cecil Sharp House, Camden Had my first visit this year, and rather surprised. Its a room where the playing space is along a long wall, and you can sit down on actual chairs too! Sound was surprisingly good. Food and drink a bit pricey but decent quality. Parking very close by.
Posted on: Wed, 31 Dec 2014 19:05:52 +0000
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