THE MUSIC ULTIMATE GUIDE
London’s music scene is unlike any other in the world. With music concerts and indie gigs happening every day of the week, there’s no better city for a music lover to be in than to be smack dab in the middle of London. After a day of sightseeing with a guide on a free walking tour, you can wrap up your day on a high note by exploring some of the best venues in the city!
Not only that, with all the small pubs and bars in London featuring some of the best-up-and-coming bands or underground bands you’ve never heard of, there’s no telling what kind of gig you’ll stumble upon during a visit to London.
If you’re hoping to see a concert of your favourite artist while visiting London, or even if you want to see some of the best underground and indie gigs happening in London, here are the best neighbourhoods in London known for their music scenes:
Shoreditch
Given that Shoreditch has become the epicentre of alternative culture in London, it makes sense that Shoreditch would also be home to some of the best music venues and concerts in the city. The music venues in Shoreditch cover a ton of different music genres ranging from dubstep, nu-jazz, drum & bass, garage and reggae, and there’s even an independent music shop in Spitafields!
Musical places to visit in Shoreditch: XOYO, Plastic People, Cargo, The Old Blue Last, The Blues Kitchen, Nightjar, 93 Feet East
Dalston
Dalston has been known as a rave hotspot since the 1980s, and is especially popular among the LGBT and Afro-Caribbean communities. The area is littered with jazz venues and nightclubs blasting electronic music until the wee hours of the morning, and even Prince Harry and Harry Styles have been spotted partying it up in Dalston over the years.
Musical places to visit in Dalston: The Shacklewell Arms, Cafe Oto, Vortex Jazz Bar, Cafe Oto, The Alibi, The Nest
Brixton
It’s no secret that Brixton has become the epicentre for the urban, hip-hop, afrobeat and R&B music scenes in London, but there’s also a ton of other music genres featured in Brixton’s many music venues as well. From Celtic rock, folk, world jazz, ska, and even gypsy and grime, Brixton is the best neighbourhood to visit if you want to hear some of the most unique and obscure music genres out there; (not to mention it has a pretty hot and heavy clubbing scene as well).
Musical places to visit in Brixton: Brixton Academy, The Windmill, Lakota, Plan B, 02 Academy, Mass, Hootananny, Brixton Jamm
Camden
Camden has been a breeding ground for some of the hottest rock groups around since as far back as the 1960s. Music venues like The Bull and Gate and The Roundhouse have been popular for decades, and the likes of Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix, The Libertines and Blur all played early performances here. Kentish Town in particular has become known for its thriving music scene in recent years, especially in the rock, metal and hardcore genres.
Musical places to visit in Camden: Koko, The Roundhouse, Barfly, The Forum, The Bull and Gate, The Underworld, Barfly, Electric Ballroom
Soho
Home to some of the most well-known and notorious music venues, Soho is an obvious area for any music lover to check out in London. Whether you like blues or metal, jazz or pop…every music genre imaginable has been featured at a Soho music venue at some point or another. So if you want to dance the night away to a hot nightclub, or even sip on a pint and listen to some experimental jazz, Soho is the place to be.
Musical places to visit in Soho: Madame JoJo’s, Ain’t Nothing But The Blues, Ronnie Scott’s, 100 Club, Ray’s Jazz at Foyles
Angel and Islington
If you’re a fan of anything and everything indie, then the boroughs of Angel and Islington should be on the top of your list when it comes to musical neighbourhoods in London. From folk, electronic, blues, ragtime jazz (and let’s not forget the independent music shops), Angel and Islington cater to the underground and often forgotten-about music genres that you won’t find anywhere else in London. Clerkenwell especially is home to a ton of acoustic and singer-songwriter music venues, and even host several indie night events throughout the year.
Musical places to visit in Angel and Islington: The Slaughtered Lamb, The Lexington, Old Queens Head, 02 Academy, Round Midnight, The Hope & Anchor, Wilmington Arms
Hammersmith
Hammersmith may not be as well-known as Shoreditch, Soho or Camden, but it still deserves a good mention. Hammersmith has earned a reputation as being west London’s best entertainment hub, and some of London’s most famous theatres are located here. The area of Shepherd’s Bush has especially become popular among music enthusiasts over the years, and the neighbourhood is even home to London’s “best music venue” (Shepherd’s Bush Empire).
Musical places to visit in Hammersmith: Bush Hall, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, Hammersmith Apollo, Irish Cultural Centre, Brook’s Blues Bar
If you want to know more about the music scene and pop culture in London, you might be interested in joining some of the many free tours in London on offer.
