Rock Shrine No. 41 – The Astoria [Nirvana, etc]
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Welcome to one of London's best rock venues: sweaty, dark, a bit seedy. Converted from a warehouse into a theatre and cinema in 1926, it became a live venue in 1986. Everyone has played here, from hardcore classic rock bands (The Rolling Stones, Deep Purple) to the kind of artists (Kylie, Madonna) who appeal to the clientele attending G.A.Y. on a Saturday night. Amy Winehouse showed how amazing she can be shortly before she lost control. One of So Solid Crew shot himself in the leg trying to pull a gun out of his waistband in the middle of their set. But for Important Gigs, that honours must go to the debut show by The Raconteurs in 2007 and the UK debut of Nirvana in 1989.
The doors closed for the last time last week to make way for a ventilation shaft and expanded Underground station being built as part of a new subway line.
Astoria Theatre, 157 Charing Cross Road, London WC2H 0EL
Rock Shrines 1 - 12
Rock Shrines 13 - 20
Rock Shrines 21-30
Rock Shrines 31-40
Locating MOG account...
Comments (9)
Nostaglia is never overrated...
It was a great venue although highlights for me where down in the basement in the Astoria 2 where I saw Pulp and The Verve.
I had the chance to be there once, and I feel lucky for it. I saw Art Brut, and even though they show was alright, what I mostly remember is the vibe of the place. And we almost attended a G.A.Y. night there. Neill, we need to remember who the person that objected was, and punish him/her accordingly.
Wish I had more time with it.
{both times with MOG posse btw he he he}
What an inglorious end.
i hate these stories.
i did some shows there, but i also went there on my last London trip (when we met, Jonh) and had a blast. i had fun hanging outside with the scalpers while i finished my dunkin' donuts coffee (it was open), and indoors it was a nice flashback to cool rock venues.
they probably want the tube stop there because the marquee's already in place. sorry, man. weird, but i had to cab it back to Kensington that night and a tube stop would have been good, but for no other purpose than going to the venue they're tearing down!
"One of So Solid Crew shot himself in the leg trying to pull a gun out of his waistband in the middle of their set" Ha-ha!
Soon I'm gonna go on a Jonh Ingham Rock Shrine tour in London. Postponed that one long enough.
Wait too much longer and there wil be 50! But they're all very close to each other.