London Astoria

Last updated

London Astoria
LondonAstoria.jpg
The front of the Astoria in 2004, five years before its demolition
London Astoria
Location Charing Cross Road, Soho
London, WC2
United Kingdom
Coordinates 51°30′57″N0°7′50″W / 51.51583°N 0.13056°W / 51.51583; -0.13056
Public transit Underground no-text.svg Tottenham Court Road
Owner Festival Republic
Capacity 1,600 – 2,000
Opened1976
Closed15 January 2009
Website
festivalrepublic.com (archived)

The London Astoria was a music venue at 157 Charing Cross Road, in London, England, that operated from 1976 to 2009.

Contents

Originally a warehouse during the 1920s, the building became a cinema and ballroom. It was converted for use as a theatre in the 1970s. After further development, the building re-opened in the mid-1980s, as a night club and live music venue for well-known musical acts. There are half a dozen clubs and smaller music venues in the adjacent buildings.

In 2009 the venue closed, and was demolished as part of the development plans of the Crossrail project. The venue is still seen today as having been an iconic music establishment, as it helped to launch the careers of many British rock bands and also played a part in the UK success of many international acts.

History

The Astoria was built on the site of a former Crosse & Blackwell warehouse [1] and opened in 1927 as a cinema. It was designed by Edward A. Stone, who also designed subsequent Astoria venues at Brixton (now the Brixton Academy), Old Kent Road, Finsbury Park and Streatham. When first constructed, the building was four storeys tall with a decorative frieze cornice surrounding its exterior. The original interior was styled as a square proscenium theatre consisting of a panelled barrel-vault ceiling supported by large columns, a viewing balcony and had false viewing boxes, which actually contained the organ pipes. From 1928, the basement was used as a ballroom dancing salon. [2]

The venue's interior was re-designed with a plainer, modern style in 1968. In 1977 it was converted for theatrical use. The venue went through another period of conversion when the theatre closed in 1984. It reopened in 1985 as a nightclub and live music venue with a capacity for 2,000 people. A booklet was published called The History of the Astoria by Nigel Crewe to commemorate its evolving uses. [3]

At its closing in 2009 the record for the most consecutive sold-out shows at the Astoria was The Mission who performed seven straight nights between 21 and 27 March 1988 on their "Children Play" tour.

The venue would host the famous night "The Trip" at the height of the acid house scene in 1988. [4]

Mean Fiddler acquired the lease for the London Astoria in May 2000, "securing the future of live music at one of London's most famous rock 'n' roll venues."[ citation needed ] It was also connected to Astoria 2 so that the two venues could function as a single venue when needed. The Astoria continued to operate in this format until its ultimate closure in 2009.

Recordings

Closure and redevelopment of site

Workmen preparing the building for demolition in October 2008 Astoria theatre london oct 2008.jpg
Workmen preparing the building for demolition in October 2008
The Astoria with scaffolding prior to demolition Astoria theatre ready fordemo.jpg
The Astoria with scaffolding prior to demolition
The Tottenham Court Road construction site (2009) on the former site of the Astoria, the green of Soho Square is seen at the top London Astoria site September 2009 CB.jpg
The Tottenham Court Road construction site (2009) on the former site of the Astoria, the green of Soho Square is seen at the top

In June 2006, the Astoria was sold by Compco Holdings to property group Derwent Valley Central, for £23.75m. It was rumoured that the buyers were planning to convert the site into a combination of shops, flats and offices to take advantage of an increase in property prices due to the forthcoming 2012 Olympics. [7]

On 13 August 2007, Festival Republic sold most of its venues, and the rights to the name Mean Fiddler, to the MAMA Group, but it retained The Astoria and Mean Fiddler, which reverted to its old name of The Astoria 2, generally known as the LA2 (London Astoria 2).

In 2008 it became known that the Astoria would be demolished to make way for Crossrail, a major railway development crossing London from west to east. Despite public opposition, London Mayor Ken Livingstone confirmed that the venue would have to go, saying "The construction of Crossrail means that the Astoria can't be saved". [8]

The nightclub G-A-Y left the Astoria in July 2008 and moved to the Heaven nightclub.

In January 2009, the Astoria closed its doors for the last time, having been subject to a compulsory purchase order for the Crossrail development. [9] Its final night of opening was 14 January, when a 'Demolition Ball' was held, co-organised by Get Cape Wear Cape Fly's Sam Duckworth in aid of Billy Bragg's Jail Guitar Doors charity and Love Music Hate Racism. Acts included The Automatic, My Vitriol and ex-Mansun singer Paul Draper, Frank Turner, ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead and The King Blues. London Astoria 2 also had a closing party, headlined by rock band Open The Skies, with support from Outcry Fire, F.A.T.E and Orakai. [10]

Demolition of the Astoria was completed by October 2009.

In 2012, plans by Nimax Theatres to build a new in-the-round theatre on the site adjacent to the Astoria were approved. [11] The site could not be built on at that time due to the construction of Crossrail. The venue was due to open in November 2021 but its opening was delayed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. [12] [13] The new theatre, @sohoplace, the first newly built West End theatre for 50 years, opened in October 2022 and seats 602. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tangerine Dream</span> German electronic music group

Tangerine Dream is a German electronic music band founded in 1967 by Edgar Froese. The group has seen many personnel changes over the years, with Froese the only constant member until his death in January 2015. The best-known lineup of the group was its mid-1970s trio of Froese, Christopher Franke, and Peter Baumann. In 1979, Johannes Schmoelling replaced Baumann until his own departure in 1985. This lineup was notable for composing many movie soundtracks. Since Froese's death in 2015, the group has been under the leadership of Thorsten Quaeschning. Quaeschning is Froese's chosen successor and is currently the longest-serving band member, having joined in 2005. Quaeschning is currently joined by violinist Hoshiko Yamane who joined in 2011 and Paul Frick who joined in 2020. Prior to this Quaeschning and Yamane performed with Ulrich Schnauss from 2014 to 2020. Schnauss only played two shows with Froese in November 2014 before Froese's passing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mott the Hoople</span> British rock band

Mott the Hoople were a British rock band formed in Hereford, Herefordshire in 1969. Originally named the Doc Thomas Group, the band changed their name after signing with Island Records in 1969. The band released albums at the beginning of the 1970s but failed to find any success. On the verge of breaking up, the band were encouraged by David Bowie to stay together. Bowie wrote their glam-style signature song "All the Young Dudes" for them, which became their first hit in 1972. Bowie subsequently produced their album of the same name, which added to their success.

<i>From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah</i> 1996 live album by Nirvana

From the Muddy Banks of the Wishkah is a live album by American rock band Nirvana, released on October 1, 1996 by DGC Records. It features live performances recorded from 1989 to 1994.

Planxty were an Irish folk music band formed in January 1972, consisting initially of Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Dónal Lunny, and Liam O'Flynn. They transformed and popularized Irish folk music, touring and recording to great acclaim.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red Rocks Amphitheatre</span> Concert venue near Morrison, Colorado, U.S.

Red Rocks Amphitheatre is an open-air amphitheater in the western United States near Morrison, Colorado, approximately ten miles (16 km) southwest of Denver. It is owned and operated by the city of Denver. In addition to several other large sandstone formations nearby, the venue is best recognized by its two massive monoliths, named "Ship Rock" and "Creation Rock", as well as the smaller "Stage Rock", which together flank its 9,525 capacity seating area and naturally form the amphitheater. While the venue is primarily known for hosting concerts and music festivals, other events of various types and sizes are held throughout the year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brixton Academy</span> Music venue in London, a former cinema

Brixton Academy (originally known as the Astoria Variety Cinema, previously known as Carling Academy Brixton, currently named O2 Academy Brixton as part of a sponsorship deal with the O2 brand) is a mid-sized concert venue located in South London, in the Lambeth district of Brixton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">9:30 Club</span> Nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C.

The 9:30 Club, originally named Nightclub 9:30 and also known simply as the 9:30, is a nightclub and concert venue in Washington, D.C. In 2018, Rolling Stone named the 9:30 Club one of the 10 best live music venues in the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hammersmith Apollo</span> Live entertainment venue in Hammersmith, London

The Hammersmith Apollo, currently called the Eventim Apollo for sponsorship reasons, and formerly known as the Hammersmith Odeon, is a live entertainment performance venue, originally built as a cinema called the Gaumont Palace. Located in Hammersmith, London, it is an art deco Grade II* listed building.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stephen Lynch (musician)</span> American comedian, musician and actor (born 1971)

Stephen Andrew Lynch is an American comedian, musician and actor who is known for his songs mocking daily life and popular culture. Lynch has released four studio albums and four live albums along with a live DVD. He has appeared in two Comedy Central Presents specials and starred in the Broadway adaptation of The Wedding Singer. Lynch released a double-disc album, Lion, on November 13, 2012. In 2016, he released a live concert video, Hello Kalamazoo. He released his studio/live album My Old Heart in 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shepherd's Bush Empire</span> Music venue in West London, England

Shepherd's Bush Empire (currently known as O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire for sponsorship reasons, and formerly known as the BBC Television Theatre) is a music venue in Shepherd's Bush, West London, run by the Academy Music Group. It was originally built in 1903 as a music hall for impresario Oswald Stoll, designed by theatre architect Frank Matcham; among its early performers was Charlie Chaplin. In 1953 it became the BBC Television Theatre. Since 1994, it has operated as a music venue. It is a Grade II listed building.

Alpine Valley Music Theatre is a 30,000-capacity amphitheater located on County Highway D in East Troy, Wisconsin. The seasonal venue was built in 1977 and it features a characteristic wooden roof, covering the 7,500-seat pavilion and a sprawling lawn. It was the largest amphitheater in the United States until 1993, when the Glen Helen Pavilion was built in California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pine Knob Music Theatre</span> Open-air theater in Independence Township, Michigan

Pine Knob Music Theatre is an outdoor amphitheater located in Independence Township, Michigan, approximately 40 miles (64 km) northwest of Detroit. Built by the Nederlander Organization in the early 1970s, it is known as "Pine Knob Music Theatre" due to its proximity to the nearby Pine Knob ski area and golf course.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Point Theatre</span> Venue in Dublin, Ireland

The Point Theatre (sometimes referred to as the Point Depot or simply as the Point) was a concert and events venue in Dublin, Ireland, that operated from 1988 to 2007, visited by in excess of 2 million people. It was located on the North Wall Quay of the River Liffey, amongst the Dublin Docklands. The Point was closed in the middle of 2007 for a major redevelopment and underwent a rebranding as The O2 in July 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Answer (band)</span> Northern Irish hard rock band

The Answer are a hard rock band from Newcastle and Downpatrick, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK. They have achieved success with their debut album Rise selling in excess of 30,000 copies in the UK and Europe, 10,000 on day one in Japan and 100,000 worldwide.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Astoria 2</span> Former nightclub in London, England

The Astoria 2, subsequently known as the LA2 then the Mean Fiddler, was a nightclub at 165 Charing Cross Road in London, England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Reality Tour</span> 2003–2004 concert tour by David Bowie

A Reality Tour was a worldwide concert tour by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie in support of his 2003 album Reality. The tour began on 7 October 2003 at the Forum Copenhagen, Denmark, continuing through Europe, North America, Asia, including a return to New Zealand and Australia for the first time since the 1987 Glass Spider Tour. At over 110 shows, the tour was the longest tour of Bowie's career. A heart attack in late June 2004 forced the cancellation of some dates near the end of the tour. Bowie retired from performing live in 2006, making this tour his last.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Vic Theatre</span> Music venue located in Chicago, Illinois, USA

The Vic Theatre is a music venue located in Chicago, Illinois. Vic Theatre can easily accommodate 1,400 people or with a seated capacity of 1,000.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palladium (New York City)</span> Former concert hall and nightclub

The Palladium was a movie theatre, concert hall, and finally a nightclub in New York City. It was located on the south side of East 14th Street, between Irving Place and Third Avenue.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rainbow Theatre</span> Grade II* listed theatre in London, England

The Rainbow Theatre, originally known as the Finsbury Park Astoria, then the Finsbury Park Paramount Astoria, and then the Finsbury Park Odeon, is a Grade II*-listed building in Finsbury Park, London. The theatre was built in 1930 as an "atmospheric cinema", to house entertainment extravaganzas which included a film show. It later became an ordinary cinema, then a music venue, as which it is best known, and then an occasional unlicensed boxing venue. Today, the building is used by the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God, an Evangelical church.

Tangerine Dream bootleg recordings are performances by Tangerine Dream that have attained some level of public circulation without being available as a legal release. The term most often refers to audio recordings, but also includes video performances. Bootleg recordings arise from a multitude of sources, including covertly copied live concerts, studio outtakes, broadcast performances. Some bootlegs have included material from official releases.

References

  1. Archived 26 March 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  2. "Astoria (London) – The Theatres Trust" . Retrieved 19 January 2010.
  3. "The Astoria Theatre, 157, Charing Cross Road, London, WC2". Arthurlloyd.co.uk. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  4. Luke Bainbridge (23 February 2014). "Acid house and the dawn of a rave new world". The Guardian.
  5. "The Darkness – Astoria Documentary part 3/4". YouTube. 7 January 2010. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  6. "Metallica – The Secret Gig With New Songs (CD, Album)". Discogs.com. 23 August 1995. Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  7. London's Astoria Theatre Bought by Derwent Valley | Europe > Western Europe from AllBusiness.com Archived 3 March 2008 at the Wayback Machine
  8. Hoyle, Ben (14 March 2008). "'Astoria makes way for Crossrail". The Times. London. Retrieved 14 March 2008.
  9. "Historic Astoria closes its doors". BBC News. BBC. 14 January 2009. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  10. Ian Winwood. "The Astoria: Share your beer-stained memories | Music". The Guardian . Retrieved 15 February 2016.
  11. "New Theatre Approved For Astoria Site". Londonist. 20 April 2012. Retrieved 20 June 2014.
  12. Wood, Alex (24 August 2020). "New and refurbished theatre venues set to open soon". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 27 January 2021.
  13. Bosanquet, Theo (21 July 2022). "Nica Burns unveils new West End Theatre". WhatsOnStage. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
  14. Wiegand, Chris (21 July 2022). "London's West End gets first purpose-built theatre in 50 years". The Guardian . Retrieved 22 July 2022.