Music Venues in London

With one of the longest musical histories on the planet, London has seen some of the greatest performers and performances grace its many elaborate and historical stages. And because the city is such a hotbed of music, the music venues in London are practically forced to live up to the city’s unparalleled reputation as the center of the music universe.

Before you even think about the music venues they play on, just consider some of the artists who call(ed) London home: Elton John, The Beatles, The Who, The Rolling Stones, Coldplay, Adele, Pink Floyd, and Led Zeppelin, just for starters.

But without a performance stage, all those big names would be playing in their parent’s living rooms, so London more than provides for the biggest acts in the world. The city is home to major arenas like the O2 and Wembley, big-time concert halls like Royal Albert Hall and HMV Forum, and not to be forgotten, the midsize and more intimate spots like Hammersmith Apollo, Shepherd’s Bush Empire, O2 Academy Brixton and Islington, amongst others.

Beyond the halls, arenas, forums, and stadiums, there are countless numbers of small London music venues where the next Mick Jagger and John Lennon are breaking their bones singing to small groups of friends and family and hoping for their big break that will lead them into London’s royal music hall of fame.