It’s a well known fact that London has produced some of the most incredible bands and artists, so it’s no surprise that the city has a bustling and very varied music scene. From world renowned venues to jazzy and blues bars seemingly tucked away in secret corners, there’s a way to immerse yourself in the musical world of London in more ways than one.
We’ve put together some of the best ways to do so, if you’re a music lover that’s headed to the capital.
At a concert at one of the top music venues
There are more music and entertainment venues in London than we can count, and trust me, we tried. However, if you do want to experience music in London on a big and impressive scale, going to a concert at one of the venues that are considered the main ones and the biggest is probably a very good idea. You can check back at sites like TicketMaster to see which artists will be coming to London and when.
At an intimate gig
Or, if you favour something a little more intimate and unique, you could always look into one of London’s many smaller venues which really offer a completely different experience to the bigger ones. You don’t have to go to the backstreets of Camden and Shoreditch anymore either to find these sorts of places; with venues like the Indigo at the o2 holding its own in terms of being a really cool, intimate venue.
By going to see a musical in the West End
If you like your live music with a bit of story with it, then going to see a show is a great option, and you’re certainly in the right place for it! London’s West End is one of the best theatre districts in the world, with high class performances on throughout the year. Do some research online to find out what shows are on to make sure you find something you’ll really love.
Visiting one of the independent record stores
Sure, London has produced some of the biggest names in music and music in general is big business there, but it never forgets its roots in terms of where it all started. That’s why there are so many independent record stores still about, so if you like your music with a vintage feel, take a day exploring the stores and markets to pick up some absolute gems that you definitely won’t find on the likes of Amazon.
Immerse yourself in festival flavour
Depending on the time of year you’re visiting London, you might want to check out some of the great music festivals and events that are happening.
Check out the Visit London’s guide to London festivals to see if there’s anything that takes your fancy this year. From jazz festivals to dance festivals, and even to Notting Hill Carnival, there’s definitely something for everyone in the UK’s capital when it comes to music festivals.
