London's Astoria venue 'can't be saved'

Astoria Theatre, London.

Capital's Mayor Ken Livingston confirms club will close

Mar 12, 2008
11 Comments
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One of London's most popular live music venues, the Astoria Theatre, looks set to finally close.

Rumours about the closure of the central London venue have long circulated, with 35,000 people reportedly signing a petition in attempt to prevent its demolition.

However, London's Mayor Ken Livingstone has revealed today (March 12) in a report that the Astoria will close due to a new building and transport development in the area.

With regards to preventing the closure, Livingstone said: "There are some instances where that just physically isn't possible. The construction of (new underground railway line) Crossrail means that the Astoria can't be saved."

He also added that the Astoria will be replaced with a new venue designed as part of the nearby Tottenham Court Road development, adding: "We're basically putting in a vast train station but the developers that have actually drawn up the scheme for the area are replacing it (the Astoria) with a larger live music venue."

Livingston also revealed he is now plotting a 'live music strategy' in order to protect landmark venues in the city after other venues such as Hammersmith Palais and The Spitz have been forced to close their doors in recent months, reports BBC 6 Music.

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Comments (11)

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johnmcga

Mar 12, 2008

Such a shame. We don't want a new, larger venue: the Astoria should stay. It's got the history, I always get a good view, and it's just the right size to still feel intimate.

phil.fuse

Mar 12, 2008

what are the odds the new venue will be absolutely awful...?....with red stripe costing an extra quid...

michael_anson

Mar 12, 2008

i dnt want a larger new venue nowhere will have the right atmosphere compared to astoria!!!!
its small but big enough for an established artist to play!

paulsimonscat

Mar 12, 2008

Even more frustrating considering both the Culture and Children Minsters stated only last month that the Astoria could be saved. I'm going to write to them telling them to stick to their promises for once. Anyone else who feels as I do should as well.

time_for_something_biblical

Mar 12, 2008

Ugh, I've never got the chance to go to a gig there.

-sighs-

I really do not like larger venues, I prefer the intimate ones. Like KOKO or ULU.

hologram rose

Mar 12, 2008

So its finally happening. . . Human chain around the venue anyone? we cant let yet another historical music venue go!!!!

Chris101090

Mar 12, 2008

ok, the fact that the Astoria can't be saved I can live with. But the thing that annoys me is that Ken Livingstone thinks that a 'larger live music venue' can replace the Astoria. The whole point of the Astoria is that it is a smaller venue for a more intimate experience, but he seems to think that size matters. Then again, I suppose the more tickets they sell, then the more money they can squeeze out of every possible service to the public

2xtdg

Mar 13, 2008

terrible thing this, and it wont be the same does he not get it!?

do the suits not get it either!?

we dont want a new bigger venue we want the same venue as it is because its small enough for a band with a small following but big enough for bigger bands to do intimate gigs!

i just hope that people will protest on the day they eman to pull it down or even just take down ken some how! and make him stop the demolition of it.

princesspurplehippy

Mar 13, 2008

Such a shame a total end of the era. What really annoys me is when Ken Livingstone said
'I understnd the historics but it wasnâ€™t at the cutting edge of modern comfort'
That's what we all loved about the Astoria, we don't want a modern comfortable venue with no soul or history we want it as it is

mark goddard

Mar 13, 2008

i have been going to gigs at the astoria for about 20 years this is a very sad day for live music.Ken Livingstone has no idea what he is doing a new larger venue will never replace the astoria.