London's Best Big (But Not Arena) Venue - Poll

[El Jefe]

i reckon they are using the same line array everytime, it looks a pretty permanent install to me.

Well it may have changed, but this certainly used to be the case...

 

[Crispy]

Apparently the O2 has an amazing in house sound system.

I haven't been yet but i have heard good things

Is that the main arena, or the Indigo concert hall?

 

[DeadManWalking]

From most gig reviews at 02 I've read the sounds been shit

 

[Dan U]

Is that the main arena, or the Indigo concert hall?

Main Arena.

I've not been to either yet. They have some decent bookings in the Indigo concert hall.

anyone been?

From most gig reviews at 02 I've read the sounds been shit

really?

i've read and heard the opposite, and the bands liking it. maybe i got lied to by PR

 

[Firky]

The Empire is fucking awful, it is in Shepherd's Bush for one.

 

[killer b]

i like the forum best, although brixton would be number one if it wasn't for the sound...

 

[corporate whore]

I refuse to go to the Empire. Unless you're right in the middle, the sound just disappears. Wasn't built for music.

The sound at Indigo is fantastic, but it's a sterile place.

The Hammersmith Appolo (or whatever it's called these days) is alright as long as the seats are out.

The Roundhouse is ace, as is the Forum, but it's the Academy for me - one of the great concert halls.

 

[DeadManWalking]

really?

i've read and heard the opposite, and the bands liking it. maybe i got lied to by PR

Well people who went to see Prince said it wasn't good, but I think the sound for Led Zep was shit hot, but it would have to be really.

 

[Dr_Gonzo]

I quite like the scala, it's about the same size as some of the smaller ones on that list. They have some really good bands playing there as well.

 

[bluestreak]

Yeah, I like the Scala too, nice little venue.

 

[twistedAM]

I quite like the scala, it's about the same size as some of the smaller ones on that list. They have some really good bands playing there as well.

if we're going dopwn to that size, the Garage tonks all over it. And...it's re-opening soon!

 

[El Jefe]

I miss the Embassy Rooms

 

[bluestreak]

if we're going dopwn to that size, the Garage tonks all over it. And...it's re-opening soon!

Yeah, I love the Garage too.

Basically I LOVE small venues, quite like medium ones, and tend to dislike the larger ones. Perhaps the sheer mass of people influences my dislike for Brixton as much as the poor sound

 

[twistedAM]

Yeah, I love the Garage too.

Basically I LOVE small venues, quite like medium ones, and tend to dislike the larger ones. Perhaps the sheer mass of people influences my dislike for Brixton as much as the poor sound

The bars and toilets at the Academy are badly laid out as well. I can see its appeal in that of all the big venues it somehow feels the most intimate at times but it's also just a shed with poor sound and bad facilities for the punters which given the bar prices and the percentage they charge bands for merch is a bit rich.

 

[Dan U]

i love the fact the stage bit of Brixton is so nuts.

 

[bluestreak]

What's the percentage?

 

[killer b]

the prices in the bar at brixton are hideous too. i went to see marilyn manson there a few years ago, and it was 17 quid for two double vodkas & coke.

fortunately it wasn't my round...

 

[twistedAM]

What's the percentage?

a third or thereabouts but tbf all big venues and arenas do it...that's why the band who were selling shirts at The Garage for a tenner suddenly charge 20 upwards when they get there

 

[Dan U]

i think i paid £10.95 for 2 pints of lager and a pint of lager top on Saturday @ the academy.

they do £6 spirit 'specials' vodka and redbull, vodka and tequila and something.
that kind of thing

 

[tarannau]

Apparently the O2 has an amazing in house sound system.

I haven't been yet but i have heard good things

Really? It distinctly lacked oomph at the two gigs I've been there before. Suspect a lot depends on where you're forced to stand.

The Academy by a country mile for me. The sound can be fine in there if the engineers pull their finger out - the Chemicals, PE and others have managed to produce a wall of sound just fine - and it's the right mix of size, atmosphere and attitude ime.

 

[editor]

Academy gets my vote, although I was wlll impressed with the Roundhouse.

 

[sherriff rosco]

But most bands don't play venues that size for the rest of the tour. The way it was explained to me, they'll play the regional dates, when they hit the Academy they need to boost the system, hire in some extra kit which either the engineer isn't familiar with or just isn't integrated with the rest, and that's when it fucks up.

Brixton doesn`t have an in-house system , like most medium sized venues in town ( Forum`s just getting a system overhaul as we speak tho`). The fact that bands / engineers and promoters all have their choices of systems means that we have to go with their demands / flavour of the month / star chart reading etc etc ..maybe not ideal for one particular venue but a package that`ll cover a variety of venues of differing sizes. It`s all down to economics in the end?

Think I`ve mumbled on here before that Brixton is a bit tricky as a venue due to the large balcony which creates a bass trap downstairs and then a huge area upstairs to cover evenly? There`s no reason why any decent system can`t be made to work in there though and TBH a good line array would prob do it the best? Aspect / NCA or F1 would be a winner as well but most tours spec line array?

As for the best ..I`d go for Brixton as well...loads of good memories of some 80`s gigs there and also I`ve been doing sound stuff there for the last 2-3 years!

.p.

 

[twistedAM]

Think I`ve mumbled on here before that Brixton is a bit tricky as a venue due to the large balcony which creates a bass trap downstairs

That's an understatement when applied to the Rancid shows...the kick pedal literally felt like someone pounding your chest.

But surely other venues with balconies have a similar problem? Ok, the SBE first floor is tiny but Forum and Astoria are quite big. Apoolo in this respect seems to have the best layout for live sound but then again none of these placxes were exactly purpose built.

 

[upsidedownwalrus]

The Academy. Unbelievably though, I've only attended gigs in that, the Astoria, the Kentish Town Forum and the Kilburn National.

 

[El Jefe]

Brixton doesn`t have an in-house system ,

Knew it.

 

[twistedAM]

Actually can we give it its corrrect title...The CARLING Academy Brixton

 

[Dan U]

As for the best ..I`d go for Brixton as well...loads of good memories of some 80`s gigs there and also I`ve been doing sound stuff there for the last 2-3 years!

.p.

you need to sort out why my ears ring everytime i leave.

i stand in front of free party sound systems that do less damage to my ears.

admittedly they are FK1 or Turbosound Aspect + Labhorns but come on, your a venue, they are a bunch of messers

 

[g force]

Actually can we give it its corrrect title...The CARLING Academy Brixton

Is it fuck

 

[kained&able]

Academy is the nicest venue but the sound is quite often a bit shit there so i will go with astoria.


dave

 

[innit]

The Academy for the sound and the views - sloping floors ftw!

I saw the Smashing Pumpkins at O2 main arena and thought the sound was unbelievable for a venue that size - blew our minds - maybe we just got lucky with where we were sitting though.