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London Astoria to be demolished

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"The Astoria was all about grimy atmosphere. After opening as a cinema in 1927, it was converted to a live performance space in 1976. Since then it has hosted historic gigs by acts such as Nirvana (in 1989), Radiohead (in 1994), as well as countless performances by rising stars and larger acts after a more intimate feel." (The Guardian's Sean Michaels)

The Astoria is to be demolished to make way for the London CrossRail Link that requires redevelopment of Tottenham Court Road Tube Station. The rail link is intended to reduce congestion on the London Underground for travellers crossing the capital.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the music venue "wasn't at the cutting edge of modern comfort" and will be replaced with a larger venue as part of the development plans.

Even with 35,000 petition supporters the case has been closed. Barry Hyde of the Futureheads said that "Venues should be dirty, they should be a bit smelly because smelly things happen in venues."

The redevelopment of the Globe Theatre site in 1644 was likely also seen as progress.




http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/london%20m...

http://music.guardian.co.uk/news/story/0,,2264786,00.ht...

http://www.myspace.com/savetheastoria
brillfilms

15 responses // London Astoria to be demolished

  • NO! This is one of the places I was dreaming of visiting in london, with it's rich musical history.
    ocanada
  • This cannot be happening....
    phillyharper
  • This has been on the cards for a while. The place is falling apart, had to happen sometime.

    IMO it's not even one of London's best venues anymore. All good things come to an end.
    BloxParty
  • The Astoria was a great venue, 5 years ago. It's got too disgusting inside - I'm all up for a grimy club sometimes but the Astoria definitely needed some long overdue TLC.

    Besides, the London Mayor Ken Livingstone promised the kids of London town a new venue to replace it. Don't ask me what happens if he doesn't win the London Mayoral election.
    mattbrawn
  • I agree it needs a bit of a wash, but the fact that it is going to become a train station is sad.

    The atmosphere, sound quality and location are all perfect, lets face if there is a replacement it'll have big shoe to fill.
    bpierce
  • Tragic // that's a London landmark. Turnmills in Farringdon I can just about do without but not The Astoria (!!) surely a semi-renovation will do fine.
    Mr_Costello
  • Shame. It's a good, iconic place to see bands and modern venues tend to be a little soulless, like the 02 arena.
    richjm
  • Seems like sad news. Places with that much history can often feel like people.
    mirimysweet
  • I hate to tear down history. Why not give it a good overhaul instead? But hopefully, in fulfilling the promise the mayor has made for a new venue, they will save the sign and other architectural pieces of the Astoria.

    Something old, something new.
    MornRail
  • That is disgusting.

    These developers are killing London by knocking down these landmarks a creating homogenized clusters of glass shard corporate buildings.

    The same is happening in Camden market - it makes want to just pack up and leave.
    Saigonick
  • Truly awful. London's cultural life is disappearing, one building at a time. Cheers Ken.
    edh84
  • You know they got rid of CBGB's as well. :( And the Cavern Club :( (they being the man man! What other enemies of rock and roll is there besides substance abuse and Yoko Ono?) How bout we start a save the Astoria campaign, I got dibs on the T-Shirt money....errr I mean the money will go towards the restoration.
    ocanada
  • So Sad...valuable musical history being demolished.
    WorldPeaceTV
  • This is just one more thing that they're ripping out of London to make way for shiny bits of crap. The whol Good Yard, that's The Cross, and The Key, shut down to make a shopping centre?

    No-one in London wants to shop until three in the morning do they??

    With all that and Turnmills gone too, This place is dead...

    Berlin anyone?
    LMKBerry
  • NO !!!!

    We must retain our heritage, yeah give it wash and brush up every decade or so.

    The steady gentrification of the nations capital seems to just make way for profitable enterprises.

    ""London Mayor Ken Livingstone said the music venue "wasn't at the cutting edge of modern comfort" ""

    Well Ken it aint a bendy bus but it is a blinding venue !
    Purdey

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