2 minute read
live music, lgbtqia+ spaces
“THERE’S 350 GIGS a night in London!” was once exclaimed by a much-loved veteran BIMM lecturer. An unbelievable number, truly. Hyperbole or not, there are more places in our city to see live music than anywhere else in the world. These are our favourite five.. (JF)
The Windmill
Advertisement
Situated on a back street, The Windmill is London’s Mecca for rising stars, making stars of bands such as Black Midi, Black Country, New Road, Fat White Family and Shame. A humble setting with a rock and roll, anarcho atmosphere. You only have to sit in the smelly “shed” with the owner’s big, but friendly, Alsatian for a second before likeminded conversations start flowing.
Tube station: Brixton
FOLD
The no-holds-barred, 24/7 techno hotspot welcomes all the freaks at any time. You will arrive at 7am for the afterparty and party with people who have been there all night, making for a very fluid and ever-changing demographic. Famous for their queer parties and heavy-hitting electronic music, this venue is perfect for anyone seeking extreme hedonism.
Tube station: Canning Town
Cafe OTO
Is it a café? Is it a record shop? A music venue? A cinema? Every time, the vibe is different. In the epicentre of trendy East London, Dalston’s Cafe OTO showcases all things weird and wonderful to the East End beard-scratchers. It’s not pretentious, it’s just high-brow. Go and hear a classic album on their audiophile hifi system or see an arthouse film!
Overground station: Dalston Junction
The Scala
The Scala is especially accessible to those who live outside of London. Utilising an old art-deco cinema as a music venue is not uncommon but is fantastically done here. Not only does it accommodate big name musicians but also London’s most famous fetish night, Torture Garden, if that’s your kind of thing...
Tube station: Kings Cross St Pancras
The Roundhouse, Camden
Camden, London’s home of all things rock and roll, it’s not yet past it! Historically revered, with a swallowing sound system that fills the large dome-like building, it’s seen many greats pass through its doors - The Doors, Hendrix and Led Zeppelin, if you’ve ever heard of them. Echo and The Bunnymen are stepping through in 2022 - not to be missed.
Tube station: Chalk Farm
Gay’s The Word: longstanding, and the best
The Best... LGBTQIA+ SPACES
FINDING YOUR HAVEN can take some research, but with a little help from BIMM Queer Society, here’s our pick. (DW, NdS)
Gay’s The Word
Headlining our list is ‘Gay’s The Word’, an activist hotspot for LGBT rights back in the 1980 being at the forefront of protest for equality in London. Along with being a great community hub, ‘Gay’s The Word’ stocks books on everything queer. The wide variety of topics from sci-fi and fantasy to thrillers and teen fiction, means there’s a book for everyone.
Tube station: Russell Square
Vauxhall Tavern
Named the ‘Ultimate’ gay pub in London by the BIMM Queer Society.
Tube station: Vauxhall
Dalston Super Store
Local queer artists, DJ and Drag performances.
Overground station: Dalston Kingsland
She Soho
Club exclusively for Female and Femme-identifying queers.
Tube station: Leicester Square
Harpies at Metropolis
The first LGBTQIA+ strip club centred around Trans+ bodies.
