Venue hire is big business, but not all locations suit the entertainment on offer. It is a fine balance of facilities, atmosphere and suitability. Based on personal experience, here are three celebrated venues in the countries capital, but as you will see, each has a very different place in the entertainment industry. Formerly known as Brixton Academy, Carling Academy Brixton has been swept under the cosseting wings of a brewery as part of a countrywide takeover of venues. Thankfully, it is only the name that has changed at this legendary venue, and if that's what it takes to save a glorious building for future generations, then that is fine by me. This south London venue is just at home hosting comedy as it is concerts, and with a capacity of nearly 5,000 plenty of people regularly enjoy cacophonous wonders in the Venetian themed grade 2 listed building. The academy was built in 1929 and has undergone many closures, re-openings and refurbishments. Today the venue has been restored to its former glory, with alfresco-esque interior and a sloping floor that enables the entire audience to enjoy stage antics, regardless of their height! I am convinced that it is the vantage point offered by the architecture combined with access to nine bars that has bagged the Academy the Best Live Venue award nine years in a row. I can vouch that every time I have been to the venue, it has been a memorable experience; a first rate venue to match top class acts. The Royal Albert Hall is a major London landmark and has been centre stage for some of the most iconic musical acts as well as a venue for speakers, the circus, opera, cabaret, comedy and even sport! The versatility of the interior lends itself to morphing to suit the act. Standing, seated or banquet layouts make it suitable for any occasion. Ultimately it is it's grandeur that creates an atmosphere that is a taste of English Heritage. Opening in 1871 by Queen Victoria, the venue is a grade 1 listed building with a capacity of over 5,000 and is dedicated to the late consort Prince Albert. The plush interior of red velvet and gold trim gives a certain opulence that makes it one of the most favoured venues in the capital. As a conference venue, this is a prestigious option. The capacity for such events is reduced to just under 2,000 and there are 7 conference rooms with full access to fax, photocopying, internet, secretarial and courier services. If there are clients to impress, this venue has a distinguished air of authority. For a venue that has a notable history on the modern music scene, the London Astoria is a venue that has clout but is set apart from the other venues in this review by its architectural irreverence, well on the interior anyway. This 1920s building was once used as a cinema before being made exclusively into a music venue. With a capacity of around 2,000 the interior is generic club-land in style - matt black walls, dark floor and spot lights aplenty. The venue merges with London Astoria 2, based underneath for nights that require a larger capacity, increasing it to 3,000 . Known distinctly for groundbreaking and exciting rock and roll bands, the Astoria has a following of dedicated gig goers and has a certain prestigious aura in its own right. This venue may not host the likes of the Proms or have an alfresco atmosphere, but if you want dirty punk rock, this is the venue to choose.
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