I’ll never forget the times I put on my earphones and listened to my favourite songs after finishing my work at a cafe. It’s like a reward for me after a hard task.
Listening to my favourite artists singing their life-changing songs live gives me an amazing feeling that’s kind of addictive. That’s why I understand people who save money for the upcoming concert of their life heroes.
It will always be true that experiencing music live is different from a level that’s difficult to explain in words. The loudness, the crowd, the contagious joy—all of it is worth your hard-earned penny.
That’s exactly why I wrote this piece: to help you find the best music venues in London where you can fully experience the perks of enjoying music live.
1. The O2
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Website: https://www.theo2.co.uk/
Address: Peninsula Square
Contact Details: +44 20 8463 2000 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 10 PM
Pricing: ££
You will be amazed by The O2’s size. This renowned sports and entertainment arena can accommodate up to 20,000 people, making it one of the city’s major concert grounds.
As a major concert ground, many famous artists performed here. Artists like Usher, Ariana Grande, and other Hollywood names stepped into this arena and made a sea of people have a good time.
Pro Tip:
The O2 restricts large bags and requires small bags to be A4 size or even smaller. Consider creating an AXS account to avoid delays in buying tickets, especially for popular shows.
2. Wembley Stadium
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Website: https://www.wembleystadium.com/
Address: Wembley HA9 0WS
Contact Details: +44 800 169 9933 and [email protected]
Pricing: ££
Wembley Stadium is another major concert ground on my list. This massive football stadium became a venue for numerous large concerts by artists around the world.
With over 90,000 capacity, it’s impossible to have a boring sold-out event here.
Taylor Swift, among others, has performed here during her world tour. The girl group Spice Girls has also graced this stadium and danced to their hit songs for the crowd during their Spiceworld Tour.
Pro Tip:
You should familiarise yourself with the ticketing policy for a specific event, as it may vary for each event. You may also check the event page on the stadium’s website for every event’s official ticketing details.
3. Royal Albert Hall
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Website: https://www.royalalberthall.com/
Address: Kensington Gore, South Kensington
Contact Details: +44 20 7589 8212 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 9 PM
Pricing: ££
I’m impressed that the Royal Albert Hall maintained its eye-catching appearance over the century. This historic concert hall has been around since the 1870s, serving as a platform for artists from many performance genres.
Speaking of, you will surely love the diverse performances this concert hall hosts. Aside from music like classical and pop music, you will also experience watching dance, circus, and concert film performances here.
Pro Tip:
Aside from their website, you can also buy tickets from their authorised resale platform, Twickets. Refunds are also available at Twickets if a performance you’re going to watch is cancelled.
4. O2 Academy Brixton
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Website: https://www.academymusicgroup.com/o2academybrixton
Address: 211 Stockwell Rd
Contact Details: +44 20 7771 3000 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 AM to 4 PM
Pricing: £
O2 Academy Brixton’s architectural design never fails to impress whenever I enter it. It has a blend of early 1900s Art Deco and atmospheric theatre elements, such as a sloping auditorium, wide balconies, and a wide curved ceiling with a unique stage arch.
Like some other venues on this list, this establishment has a rich history before becoming a concert hall. It was once a cinema in the late 1930s and a disco club in the early 1970s before turning into a music concert hall.
Pro Tip:
Consider getting a priority membership, as you can buy tickets 2 days before the official general sale. You can also purchase tickets online through Ticketmaster.
5. Roundhouse
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Website: https://www.roundhouse.org.uk/
Address: Chalk Farm Rd, Chalk Farm
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 2 PM to 9 PM
- Friday to Sunday – 10 AM to 5 PM
Pricing: £
I love Roundhouse’s transformation from being a former railway engine shed to a lively performing arts and concert venue. Before becoming a music venue, it was sadly abandoned for over two decades after World War II.
Today, you will not see or feel the remnants of its sad past as various performers step onto its stage. Some performances you can enjoy here are live music, circus, and spoken word poetry.
Pro Tip:
Prepare your email address associated with your ticket booking on the day of the event, as many Roundhouse events use digital tickets. Also, be aware that tickets for a particular event may be limited to a certain number per person.
6. Alexandra Palace
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Website: https://www.alexandrapalace.com/
Address: Alexandra Palace, Alexandra Palace Way
Contact Details: +44 20 8365 4343 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Pricing: £
The panoramic views that Alexandra Palace, popularly known as Ally Pally, provides to concert-goers are what stand out to me. It creates a more immersive and visually stimulating environment for the people.
What’s great is that they don’t just host musical performances, but they also have theatrical productions and kid-friendly shows. One of the kid shows they have is The Dinosaur That Pooped.
Pro Tip:
Get a VIP concert package if you want to have access to their outdoor terrace. For the best viewing experience, sit in the N-Q stalls, specifically seats 7-24.
7. MOTH Club
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Website: https://mothclub.co.uk/
Address: Old Trades Hall, Valette St
Contact Details: +44 20 8985 7963 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 7 PM to 12 AM
- Friday and Saturday – 7 AM to 3 AM
Pricing: £
I appreciate the MOTH Club for being a platform for emerging artists around the city. If you want to see new and talented artists, I highly recommend visiting this club. Here, you will not just witness musicians, but also comedians performing on stage.
I also appreciate the various music nights they host. Every month, they organise a themed night party where they celebrate female pop artists. During the party, female musicians from different pop bands grace the stage.
Pro Tip:
Be aware that tickets are non-transferable, and an ID that matches the ticket purchase is required for entry. You can buy tickets through their ticketing partner, DICE.
8. The Shacklewell Arms
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Website: https://www.shacklewellarms.com/
Address: 71 Shacklewell Ln
Contact Details: [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 5 PM to 12 AM
- Friday and Saturday – 5 PM to 3 AM
- Sunday – 3 PM to 11 PM
Pricing: £
As a DIY projects fan, The Shacklewell Arms’ indie music scene every night is a hidden gem I’m glad I’ve found. All artists who perform here produced their songs without help from any record label. They’re the ones who mix, master and distribute their tracks.
However, the highlight of this pub is the free gigs some artists offer. It’s their way of introducing themselves to the public as a first-time performer in the pub.
Pro Tip:
You can buy tickets through their ticketing partners DICE and Gigantic Tickets. DICE offers a more convenient ticket purchasing method because they have an app that you can download.
9. Village Underground
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Website: https://villageunderground.co.uk/
Address: 54 Holywell Ln
Contact Details: [email protected]
Pricing: £
If you’re looking for a music venue with a very unique setting, you should visit Village Underground. This cultural hub’s grounds are revamped tube carriages placed above an abandoned warehouse. It’s a sight to see every time I’m on my way to work.
True to its name, it features underground artists from different musical genres. Some musical genres you can often enjoy here are post-punk and shoegaze, with extra DJ nights if you’re lucky.
Pro Tip:
Tickets may be available on the day of the event when the doors open if the show isn’t sold out. You should also check the age restrictions for shows, as they vary.
10. Ronnie Scott’s
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Website: https://www.ronniescotts.co.uk/
Address: 47 Frith St
Contact Details: +44 20 7439 0747 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday and Tuesday – 5:30 PM to 11 PM
- Wednesday to Saturday – 5:30 PM to 3 AM
- Sunday – 12 PM to 4 PM and 6:30 PM to 11 PM
Pricing: £
Ronnie Scott’s is a jazz club where you can enjoy all-night jazz music over your favourite drink. It’s located in Soho, a district known for its vibrant nightlife scene. Expect that you will have a great time here throughout your stay.
What I love here is the themed events they constantly organise. Some of their popular themed events are Two for the Road, Funky Nation, and Braziliance.
Aside from themed events, they also host album launches and guest appearances by different artists.
Pro Tip:
Arrive early to have a great seat, as they are available on a first-come, first-served basis. However, you can purchase priority seating to guarantee a better experience and a chance to be at the front-row tables.
11. Wigmore Hall
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Website: https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/
Address: Wigmore Hall, 36 Wigmore St
Contact Details: +44 20 7935 2141 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Sunday – 10 AM to 7:30 PM
Pricing: £
What makes Wigmore Hall stand out is the classical music performances it hosts. I’m a huge fan of this hall’s chamber music performers. You don’t often get to experience that kind of music, which makes it very special for me.
I also appreciate the acoustic performances without vocals. It feels great to enjoy music without human sounds sometimes. Some acoustic performances you may witness here are piano, violin, and much more.
Pro Tip:
Consider buying tickets during last-minute deals, specifically within 48 hours before the show, to save some money. Some shows also offer discounted prices for younger concert-goers.
12. The Blues Kitchen – Shoreditch
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Website: https://theblueskitchen.com/shoreditch/
Address: 134-146 Curtain Rd
Contact Details: +44 20 7729 7216 and [email protected]
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Wednesday – 12 PM to 12 AM
- Thursday – 12 PM to 1 AM
- Friday – 12 PM to 2:30 AM
- Saturday – 11 AM to 3 AM
- Sunday – 11 AM to 11:30 PM
Pricing: £
I love The Blues Kitchen’s dedication to showcasing blues music. They do this not just in Shoreditch, but also in their other London branches, such as Brixton and Camden.
Their love for blues music goes through the roof, but they still let artists from different genres grace the stage. Other musical performances you can see here are soul, funk, and the distinct Americana music.
Pro Tip:
Some events may offer free entry before a certain time, while others may require tickets, especially for popular bands or shows.
