LISTINGS

MUSIC

W2L choice: Top rock venues

1. ELECTRIC BALLROOM

Since 1978, its line-up has read like a who’s who of rock ’n’ roll, with U2 and

The Clash gracing its stage over the years. www.electric-ballroom.co.uk

2. THE UNDERWORLD

This often sweaty but extremely loud basement venue is a favourite haunt with metal heads and heavy rock fans. www.theunderworldcamden.co.uk

3. THE FORUM

Lavish and theatrical venue with consistently big name acts playing to well over 2,000 people. www.kentishtownforum.com

PIZZA ON THE PARK

11 Knightsbridge, SW1X 7LY. Hyde Park Corner

T: 020 7235 5273. www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk Pizza restaurant showcasing some of the best jazz in the capital. Book early for a table.

RONNIE SCOTT’S

47 Frith Street, W1D 4HT.

Tottenham Court Road

T: 020 7439 0747. www.ronniescotts.co.uk One of the best-known jazz clubs, it has recently undergone a major refurbishment. Expect nothing but the best.

THE VORTEX JAZZ CLUB

11 Gillett Street, N16 8JH. Dalston Kingsland

T: 020 7254 4097. www.vortexjazz.co.uk There are few better places to hear jazz in London — a venue of choice for musicians.

CLASSICAL/OPERA

BARBICAN CENTRE

Silk Street, EC2Y 8DS.
/ Barbican

T: 020 7638 4141.
www.barbican.org.uk/music
See the likes of the London Symphony Orchestra and the BBC Symphony Orchestra at one of London’s leading concert venues.

BLACKHEATH HALLS

23 Lee Road, SE3 9RQ. Blackheath

T: 020 8463 0100. www.blackheathhalls.com One of the capital’s oldest concert venues. Book for guitar and cello recitals, symphony orchestras or even folk and Irish bands.

KINGS PLACE

90 York Way, N1 9AG. King’s Cross

T: 0844 264 0321. www.kingsplace.co.uk New venue next to St Pancras International station, with week-long runs including the London Sinfonietta Orchestra.

LONDON COLISEUM

St Martin’s Lane, WC2N 4ES.
/ Charing Cross

T: 0870 145 0200. www.eno.org
Mounting 20 productions a year, the English National Opera is one of the premier places to enjoy opera in London.

LSO ST LUKE’S

161 Old Street, EC1V 9NG.
Old Street

T: 020 7490 3939. www.lso.co.uk
See rehearsals and a diverse mix of concerts in this restored 18th-century church.

ROYAL ACADEMY OF MUSIC

Marylebone Road, NW1 5HT.
Regent’s Park/Great Portland Street

T: 020 7873 7373. www.ram.ac.uk
One of the world’s leading music institutions. Students perform in its concert venues, often alongside established artists.

ROYAL ALBERT HALL

Kensington Gore, SW7 2AP.
South Kensington

T: 020 7589 8212. www.royalalberthall.com This stunning and iconic building is one of London’s best-loved concert halls. It’s the venue for The Proms.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF MUSIC

Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BS.
South Kensington

T: 020 7589 3643. www.rcm.ac.uk
A prestigious music school since 1882, it celebrated its 125th anniversary in 2007.

ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

Bow Street, WC2E 9DD.
Covent Garden

T: 020 7304 4000. www.royalopera.org Home to the Royal Opera, the Royal Ballet and the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House.

ST JOHN’S

Smith Square, SW1P 3HA.
Westminster/St James’s Park

T: 020 7222 1061. www.sjss.org.uk
This English baroque church dates from 1728 and is one of London's fi nest concert venues.

ST MARTIN-IN-THE-FIELDS

Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JJ.
/ Charing Cross/Leicester Square

T: 020 7766 1100.
www.stmartin-in-the-fi elds.org
Merits its reputation as one of the world’s
fi nest musical venues, hosting top orchestras.

SOUTHBANK CENTRE

Belvedere Road, SE1 8XX.
/ Waterloo

T: 0871 663 2500. www.rfh.org.uk Recent subject of a �91 million refurb, it hosts classical and contemporary music.

WIGMORE HALL

36 Wigmore Street, W1U 2BP.

Oxford Circus/Bond Street

T: 020 7935 2141. www.wigmore-hall.org.uk Its 400-plus musical events a year include chamber music and song and piano recitals.

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IMAGE: BARBICAN CEN

Barbican Centre

64 W2L SUMMER 2009