Astoria to be knocked down

[story]

Yep...just because a few famous names played there it shouldn't be kept for the hell of it. IT can go - it's not a great building anyway neither's CP but I suppose it at least stands out...

But it is one of the Big Three London venues (Brixton Academy, Forum, Astoria). Not long back there was a poll in the music forum, the Astoria came second or third, I think. I don't think it can be dismissed as just another hole in the ground venue.

I don't rate it much as a venue. It's got bad acoustics, poor access, poor visibility unless you're down the front and the G.A.Y nights are a bit rubbish too IMO.

I prefer the roundhouse

Then you are mad. I find the Roundhouse quite clinical and soulless; I'm sure it was better before the refurb.

Poor visibility at The Astoria? I don't agree. I find the Roundhouse much less audience friendly in terms of being able to see the stage.

G.A.Y is just another commercial enterprise nowadays. It was good back in the day, of course, but has outlived its usefulness and reputation.

......

As for the Astoria, I don't know enough about it but do wonder if there will be something that will replace it that will be a better venue all round.

Yeah right as if. Dream on. If only. etc.

 

[Nixon]

They've been saying that for ages now anyways..Kinda bothered,kinda not.It's right in central so part of me is surprised they haven't got rid of it sooner..I don't think it should be knocked down for historical music reasons and memories but the venue itself just reminds me off getting too drunk and GAY.The whole place needed a bloody bucket of bleach too and a good scub..I think it would be wierd not to see it there anymore,when walking past.

 

[nosos]

Bad thing.

But the Crossrail is a good thing.

So I'm torn. It takes years of gigs and neglect to get a venue with that much character though, and I've always like the Astoria.

Yeah me too, it's got loads of memories attached to it

 

[HackneyE9]

Then you are mad. I find the Roundhouse quite clinical and soulless; I'm sure it was better before the refurb.

There's something unnervingly antiseptic and corporate about the Roundhouse. Shame. Only been to two gigs there, but crap sightlines too. Pillars EVERYWHERE.

Never been to he Astoria, so, er.. as you were.

 

[Paulie]

Doubtless the London music scene will recover as it did from the closure of the Nashville Rooms, the (Wardour st) Marquee, Hope & Anchor, Clarendon etc etc...

 

[story]

Doubtless the London music scene will recover as it did from the closure of the Nashville Rooms, the (Wardour st) Marquee, Hope & Anchor, Clarendon etc etc...

Hmmm... I still miss those rooms.

 

[Citizen66]

Anywhere that charges over three pounds for a can of lager deserves to be ground into dust.

Anyway, don't those rotters from the mean fiddler own it or did I imagine that?

 

[story]

Anywhere that charges over three pounds for a can of lager deserves to be ground into dust.

Anyway, don't those rotters from the mean fiddler own it or did I imagine that?

Thee are lots of venues that charge shocking prices for cans. It's the modern way

You're right about the Mean Fiddler connection.

 

[Citizen66]

Thee are lots of venues that charge shocking prices for cans. It's the modern way

It's more extortionate than the train back to the north for beer!

 

[story]

I was stood next to the bar upstairs at the Islington Academy (which is a Carling venue) and I watched the cash pouring over the bar. People were apparently desperate to give over their money for a can of fucking Carling... which has to be the pishiest shittiest lager on the planet.

The bar staff were getting out slabs of cans - not even cold - and transferring them to plastic cups, and punters were paying two-or-three squid for the privilege of getting ripped off.

It's really a scandal.

 

[Citizen66]

The bar staff were getting out slabs of cans - not even cold - and transferring them to plastic cups, and punters were paying two-or-three squid for the privilege of getting ripped off.

It's really a scandal.

It's the biggest thing that puts me off going to gigs tbh.

I went to see The Fall in the Astoria the other week and the drink situation completely put me off live gigs again.

It's not just the price of them. I don't like paying over the odds for cans. Why is it so difficult for them to offer draught at a reasonable, no, forget reasonable, central London price like anyone else?

I expected to get cans when I gatecrashed parties when I was 15 ffs.

 

[jæd]

I was stood next to the bar upstairs at the Islington Academy (which is a Carling venue) and I watched the cash pouring over the bar. People were apparently desperate to give over their money for a can of fucking Carling... which has to be the pishiest shittiest lager on the planet.

The bar staff were getting out slabs of cans - not even cold - and transferring them to plastic cups, and punters were paying two-or-three squid for the privilege of getting ripped off.

It's really a scandal.

If you don't want to pay club/bar prices for beer at a venue then don't buy it...

Re:Astoria being pulled down. Thank fuck for that. The toilets were rank and it will probably take them years to decontaminate the area...

 

[story]

It's the biggest thing that puts me off going to gigs tbh.

I went to see The Fall in the Astoria the other week and the drink situation completely put me off live gigs again.

It's not just the price of them. I don't like paying over the odds for cans. Why is it so difficult for them to offer draught at a reasonable, no, forget reasonable, central London price like anyone else?

I expected to get cans when I gatecrashed parties when I was 15 ffs.

I was at The Astoria to see The Fall last week too

I was drinking water that night, so was not ripped off at the bar on this occasion.

Tbh, live music is too important to me to forgo it for any reason. I have been known to smuggle drinks into a venue; but it is a sorry state of affairs if people absolutely *must* have a drink in order to enjoy themselves (I number myself amongst this group )

If you don't want to pay club/bar prices for beer at a venue then don't buy it...

See above.

Re:Astoria being pulled down. Thank fuck for that. The toilets were rank and it will probably take them years to decontaminate the area...

It has been allowed to become run down, this is true. However, the state of the decor is not the most important thing about a venue. CBGB's, for instance, was the rankest of rank in terms of amenities and comfort and posh neatness, but the sound was very good and the lines of sight were excellent, and the atmosphere and ambience - not to mention history - were incomparable. CBGB's was a good venue.

The Roundhouse - for all it's modernity and clean neatness - is not.

As for the apparently custom-built Islington Academy: well shit, talk about a crap venue!

I'd rather see a band in a dive with atmosphere and history and a decent tradition of live shows than any new place that is built to make money off the punter.

 

[DG55]

So this 'new' plush venue to replace the Astoria, any further details? Or is it just hot air. I know they really want to replace it with luxury apartments and more chain stores.