By Lakeisha Goedluck
Bob Marley recorded ‘Exodus’ here, Damon Albarn wrote songs here, Jimi Hendrix even died here: music may be thriving in the East, but it was born and still lives in the West.
Nowadays, if you’re twenty-something, inherently ‘cool’ and
in to music; East London is where it’s
at. There’s the ethereal Union
Chapel- where you can recline on a pew, and listen to the likes of Asgeir. Or
maybe you’d rather dance your
ass off to a DJ set until 4am? In that case there’s XOYO, Plastic People and the Queen of Hoxton to name but a few.
And when it comes to buying music, you can’t call yourself a vinyl fanatic if you haven’t visited Rough Trade East, just off Bricklane. But East London isn’t the only musical district around. Head to
the opposing West- Notting Hill in particular- to find some of the best music
venues and record shops that London has to offer.
In Powis Square (Where Pink Floyd played their
first ever gig, just saying) ‘the
Taj Mahal of North Kesington’ stands. Conventionally known as
the Tabernacle, ‘It was originally a
church, but it’s
seen some musical idols in it’s day: including the Rolling stones’ says
the Tabernacle’s current general
manager, Nikki. Florence + the machine, Lily Allen and Adele have all performed
here; the latter even released her second studio album ’21’,with XL recordings, whose
offices stand just round the corner on Blenheim crescent. Although largely a
community centre, with classes in everything from ballet to steelpan, the
Tabernacle is still a leading force in the nurturing of new musical talent.
Next month two big emerging artists, Kina Grannis and Hozier, are set to play
here.
The legendary Tabernacle isn’t the only venue in Notting Hill bursting
with live music. For a more ‘animated’ atmosphere, i.e.
somewhere to rave, there’s
The Notting Hill Arts Club. Showcasing the freshest in Electronica, House and
R&B; every Friday for the coming months is resident Dj night. ‘We’re really on this resident DJ thing. I mean XOYO and other big clubs
are doing it, but i’d
like to think we’re
doing it that bit different’ says Sonya, the club’s events manager. The
residency is hosted by well-known Dj Ashley Beedle, alongside DJs Giles Smith and
James Priestley of Secretsundaze. ‘Juicebox’ on Thursdays is
another popular night, as it’s
focus is on fresh sounds. Ella Eyre (y’know
that Rudimental tune) headlined the last Juicebox of 2013.
