Bye bye Astoria
After a number of failed attempts to take back the beloved home of live music, all hope is lost, and the battle has been won by the Government. The last show ever tonight will see Ibiza's Manumission club return to the UK for the first time in 15 years, adopting the Astoria as it's host.
Amongst the acts for tonight is VV Brown (above), a London based artist who has been named the one to watch in 2009 by both The Independent and the Los Angeles Times.
VV Brown said of the venue: “An amazing old 1920's cinema with the sounds of The Beach Boys, David Bowie, and Blur still echoing there. London's heartbeat, going in the name of modernism. So many memories linger within the cracks of drunken spirits and mosh pits. It will be remembered and it will surely be missed.”
Alongside VV Brown will be Get Cape.Wear Cape. Fly, The Automatic, The King Blues, and Frank Turner and all proceeds from the show are generously being donated to Love Music, Hate Racism and Jail Guitar Doors.
However good the night may turn out to be, and it will unquestionably be a night not to be forgotten, the historical Astoria is soon to be no more, apart from in the hearts and memories of all those bands and fans that gave it their blood, sweat, tears and music.
Let's hear it for the Astoria. R.I.P.
By Karen Asbury