Venue Spotlight: The Roundhouse, London
This week, we find out more about London's The Roundhouse.
We spoke to Head of Music, Jane Beese, who tells us about the history of the venue, Roundhouse Studios, and their excellent work with young creatives...
See full listings for The Roundhouse in London here.
Vital stats
- The Roundhouse, Chalk Farm Road, Camden, London, NW1 8EH
- Capacity: 3,000
- Gold Status for disabled access from Attitude Is Everything
Tell us a little about the venue and your role there.
The Roundhouse has a capacity of 3,000 for a standing show and approximately 1,400 for our 'In The Round' shows at the beginning of the year. I've been the Head of Music here for a year now. The role encompasses several different tasks including overseeing the choreography of the gigs diary, programming our own shows and festivals and working with the music team on the programme in the Paul Hamlyn Roundhouse Studios.
When was the venue first established?
The venue was originally built as a railway repair shed and turning circle in 1847. It first opened as an arts space in 1966 with the first night being the launch of the International Times with performances by Soft Machine and Pink Floyd. So we're celebrating our 50 years as a music and performing arts venue this year.
Has the venue gone through any major changes since it opened (location, renovation, style of music etc)?
Lots of changes since 1847. The Roundhouse fell into disrepair in the 1990s and then it was bought by Sir Torquil Norman, who then established The Roundhouse Trust. Following a £30 million refurbishment, we re-opened in 2006 equipped with new advanced technology and with many of the original features restored. We also created The Roundhouse Studios creative centre for young artists.
Which band that's played your venue has gone on to be the best known?
Wow...too many to mention from Pink Floyd, The Ramones, Patti Smith, Lady Gaga, Prince, Radiohead, The Doors. It's a rich 50 year history.
How many gigs or club nights a week do you host?
It really depends on the period of the year – sometimes it's seven gigs in a week and then at other points we might have a Circus Festival or a theatre piece in for a month.
Which band that played your venue deserved/deserves to be better known than they are?
Again so many – our current favourite in the office is Christine and the Queens.
Do you host events besides gigs and club nights?
Yes we have a programme that runs across spoken word, circus, theatre, dance and we also host corporate events which help support our charitable work with young people.
If you could change one thing about the live music industry, what would it be?
I'd ban emails and insist everyone spoke to each other.
Has your venue ever been threatened with closure? If so, what could have been done to prevent it/support you?
The venue shut a couple of times in the 60s and 70s with different management coming and going. Funding has always been part of our story.
What's been your proudest moment working at your venue?
Just being able to walk through the Roundhouse Studios every day and listen to some of the amazing music being created there.
What's the best show you've put on recently?
Elton John! (September 18th 2016)
Are there any interesting facts/stories about the venue that people might not know, but should?!
I'd like more people to know about Roundhouse Studios and the work we do with young creatives – it's a very unique offer we have here.
The Roundhouse will be hosting Venues Day 2016 - a national networking event for grassroots music venues and related professions - on Tuesday 18th October.
The event will also include the launch of Music Venue Trust's Fightback - a one-off evening of music to raise vital funds to create a new service to stop the closure of UK grassroots music venues. More details and ticket information can be found by clicking here.
Track The Roundhouse here to keep up to date with all forthcoming events.
There is also an official website, Facebook page, Twitter, and Instagram accounts.