The_Venue_(Victoria_Street,_London)

The Venue (Victoria Street, London)

The Venue (Victoria Street, London)

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The Venue was a live music club at 160–162 Victoria Street, London, England, owned by Virgin Records. It opened its doors on 1 November 1978 and operated until 1984.[1] The first act to play there was Graham Parker and The Rumour, followed by the last live performances by Alex Harvey before his death. Todd Rundgren played some dates there just before Christmas in 1978, as part of the tour to back up the Back to the Bars album; released for the Christmas market, at the time. Two shows were sometimes played per night, and the ambience was akin to a nightclub, where audience members sat at tables and could have drinks and meals while listening to the acts. It was also popular for use by record companies showcasing new signings to the music media.[2]

Additional info

The original sound system was supplied by Eastlake systems, it was their first foray into live sound. Soon afterwards, Dave Martin from Martin Audio, a company that designed installed and touring PA sound system of the era, replaced the Hidley system with a familiar looking stack of bass bins, mid-range units and HF loudspeakers arrayed either side of the stage. The result was loud and clean, with sound covering the audience far better than the previous rig; sound under the balcony overhang was still problematic, but more the result of poor auditorium design.

The building first opened as the Metropole cinema on December 27, 1929.[1][3] After The Venue closed, it was occupied by a Dicky Dirt's discount jeans shop in the mid 1980s and was a branch of the restaurant chain "Ask" prior to its demolition in early 2013 as part of a major redevelopment of the area.

Acts that played at The Venue

(In A-Z order.)

51.4981°N 0.1332°W / 51.4981; -0.1332

References

  1. [1]
    Grundy, Ian; Roe, Ken. "Metropole Cinema". Cinema Treasures.
  2. [2]
    "The Venue". Create Victoria.
  3. [3]
    Bartholomew Reference Atlas of Greater London
  4. [4]
    "Alan Vega - Live Music". 45worlds.com. Retrieved 18 July 2016.
  5. [5]
    "Alberto y Lost Trios Paranoias Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  6. [6]
    "Highdown Fair Italian style" (PDF). Music Week. 20 January 1979. Retrieved 22 April 2021.
  7. [7]
    "Bette Bright and Motor Boys Motor Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  8. [8]
    "Soft White Underbelly (Blue Oyster Cult) Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  9. [9]
    "Captain Beefheart & The Magic Band - Live at the Venue, London 11/12/80". Retrieved 29 November 2023 – via YouTube.
  10. [10]
    Rogan, Johnny (1 April 1996). Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young: The Visual Documentary. Omnibus Press. p. 126. ISBN 978-0711949829.
  11. [11]
    "Depeche Mode - live in "The Venue", Victoria, London, 23.07.81". Retrieved 29 November 2023 – via YouTube.
  12. [12]
    "U2 Victoria, 1979-12-18, The Venue, Early Days — U2 on tour". u2gigs.com. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  13. [13]
    "The Four Bucketeers Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  14. [14]
    "Gary U.S. Bonds Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  15. [15]
    "Icehouse Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  16. [16]
    Sutherland, Steve (29 June 2011). "Kajagoogoo Early Gigs 'The Venue' London". KajaFax. Retrieved 18 February 2013.
  17. [17]
    "Kate and Anna McGarrigle Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  18. [18]
    "Berkeley based Audio Recordings List". Ced.berkeley.edu. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  19. [19]
    "Klaus Schulze Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  20. [20]
    "Level 42 - Live - Venue Victoria 1981 - Nothing More To Say". Retrieved 29 November 2023 – via YouTube.
  21. [21]
    "Merger - Live At the 'Venue' Victoria 1981". Amazon. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
  22. [22]
    Stripped, Depeche Mode Bio
  23. [23]
    "Paul Brady Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  24. [24]
    Pigbag ticket stub
  25. [25]
    "Rip Rig and Panic at The Venue (09 Sep 1982)". Songkick.com. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  26. [26]
    "Robert Hunter Setlists". GDSets.com. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  27. [27]
    Jago, Andy (4 April 2009). "1979-2000 history by andy jago". familybandstand.com. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  28. [28]
    "Sniff 'n' the Tears Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  29. [29]
    "SONIC YOUTH: 12/01/83 - London, England @ The Venue". sonicyouth.com. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  30. [30]
    "Metropole Victoria". Flickr.com. 3 April 2008. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  31. [31]
    themonochromeset.co.uk - live page
  32. [32]
    "The Polecats Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
  33. [33]
    Rivits ticket stub (with the band name misspelled as Rivets)
  34. [34]
    "The Venue newspaper ad". 10 February 1981. Retrieved 26 December 2020.
  35. [35]
    "Gig History". The Vapors Official Website. Retrieved 2 October 2021.
  36. [36]
    "T34 A Look In Your Eye". Retrieved 29 November 2023 – via YouTube.
  37. [37]
    Corio, David (16 December 1983). "Tina Turner, The Venue, Victoria, London, UK". DavidCorio.com. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
  38. [38]
    "Huang Chung Concert Ticket". theticketmeister.co.uk. Archived from the original on 13 August 2017. Retrieved 28 October 2020.
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