5 Amazing Music Concert Venues in London
There’s nothing that beats the thrill and excitement of a live concert. If you’re planning your first visit to the UK, you’re probably thinking of all of London’s famous landmarks. Among those you will find some great concert venues in London.
For music lovers, attending a concert in London – one of the most historical places for modern music – is the epitome of travel! London is one of the most popular and happening cities in the world, so it has its fair share of concert venues, having hosted almost all famous artists.
Let’s take a look at the top five concert venues in London.
1. Royal Albert Hall
Situated near the South Kensington Area, Royal Albert Hall is a famous venue for music concerts, hosting some of the most well-known names from music world including Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, The Corrs, and many more. The hall is more than a century old and it hosts up to 350 events each year.
Additionally, the Royal Albert Hall is one of the biggest venues in London, boasting 5272 total seats. 1268 of those are maintained by “members”, giving them private ownership.
You can book tickets online by going to their website, and choosing your gallery. Doesn’t matter if you are a fan of rock, pop, jazz, or Classical music, you will be able to find an artist or band of that genre sooner than later.
2. O2 Arena
In a very short span of time, O2 Arena in southeast London has managed to host some big names from the music world. The likes of Elton John, Bon Jovi, Spice Girls, Lady Gaga, and Rihanna have graced its stage. It was set to host one of the most anticipated comebacks in the history of music, Michael Jackson, but the concert was canceled following the artist’s untimely death.
O2 Arena with its huge capacity comes second on the list of UK’s largest venues for concert. Built in 2007, the arena is part of a larger entertainment complex simply known as The O2. In addition to the arena, the complex includes a music club, cinema, and restaurants and bars.
3. The Dublin Castle, Camden
While not as big as The O2 Arena, and far from having a rich history like Royal Albert Hall, The Dublin Castle is still a place worth visiting if you are looking for some live indie rock music. It’s a pub originally built for Irish railway workers. but became famous in the 1970s when the band Madness (“Our House”) became known for playing there.
Situated in Camden Town in the northwest of London, The Dublin Castle is a rather small club that can house 200 people. The venue has hosted artists like Billy Bragg, Amy Winehouse, Arctic Monkeys, and Supergrass. Mainly famous for indie rock music, for a small entrance fee/ticket you will get to hear several live bands on daily basis.
4. Hyde Park
Hyde Park is famous for many reasons, but it is also known for hosting some really famous names like Pink Floyd, Canned Heat, The Corrs, Bryan Adams, Bon Jovi, Nelly Furtado, Steps, Kings of Leon, and last but not the least, Madonna. Although, the number of concerts at Hyde Park are likely to be cut down after the nearby residents complaining about the noise according, still there are quite some concerts slated for the coming months at Hyde Park.
5. Wembley Stadium
Known more commonly for football games, Wembley Stadium has also hosted some memorable music concerts. The original Wembley Stadium, which was demolished during 2002 and 2003, hosted the charity concert LiveAid, which featured artists such as Queen, Elton John, David Bowie, Paul McCartney, Phil Collins, U2, and many more. The concerts held in the old stadium were numerous.
Its replacement was finished in 2007, and George Michael was the first artist to headline the new Wembley Stadium that same year. It famously hosted the Concert for Diana, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of Princess Diana.
Other artists who have played Wembley since it’s rebirth include Beyonce, Green Day, Madonna, Foo Fighters, Coldplay, and AC/DC, to name only a few. The stadium doesn’t host music concerts that frequently, but there’s every chance that there will be another memorable concert on cards when you are visiting London, so keep an eye out for an opportunity.
Conclusion: The Best Concert Venues in London
We hope you’ve enjoyed this exploration of some of the greatest concert venues in London. Do you have another favorite? If so, make sure to let us know in the comments below. London is an amazing, vibrant city and we could hardly cover all venues in a single post!
