Anyway, over 19 years ago I first went to the Astoria for a gig. Over the best part of the following two decades I've been a frequent visitor to both the Astoria and her smaller sister venue a couple of doors down (who has so any name changes over the years but most recently has been known as the LA2 I believe).
Not only did I go to many gigs at both venues I also spent quite a few nights clubbing at both venues. The Astoria was home, back in the late 80's and early 90's, to Londons best Rock Club 'Rockscene' and I spent many Friday nights alternating between the Electric Ballroom's "Full Tilt Club" and "Rocksecene" before Rocksecene eventually closed in favour of The Pink Pounder, which became London's biggest Gay club and then transformed its name to simply G.A.Y years later.
LA2 has also been home to many different clubs that I attended. I remember by first being Buzbys - a Sunday night rock club which I kept missing the last train back from due to London Transports then silly early last train on Sunday evenings (about 11pm). Plus it was on a school night so missing the last train was even more annoying. Over the years I've been to other rock clubs there along with Indie and Goth clubs plus tons of great gigs.
Tonight The Astoria is playing host to it's last ever gig. Tomorrow night LA2 is closing its doors for good.
Both are being demolished to make way for London's Crossrail link.
So thank you Astoria and thank you LA2. Thank you for being part of my life for thye last twenty years and giving me some great memories.
You will both be missed.
In memory of you both I've listed the bands I've seen at both venues. Thanks to SteveGB for giving me that idea.
London will be poorer without you both.
All About Eve
Cecil
Clawfinger
CNN
CNN
Crazyhead
Cubanate
Dare
Dawn, The
Die Krupps
Dresden Dolls, The
Ed Allyne Johnson
Enter Shikari
Evamescence
Faith No More
Fields of the Nephilim
Fischerspooner
Front 242
Front Line Assembly x2
Garbage
Garrison
Gary Numan x2
Giant Drag
Glasshouse
Godflesh
Greenhaus
Headswim
Honeycrack
Horati, The
Inertia
Ivories, The
Kharma 45
Khula Shaker
Ladytron
Leechwoman
Live
Lost Prophets
Mando Diao
MESH
Moonspell
Nefilim
New Model Army x6
New York Alcoholic Anxiety Attack
Nightwish
Nine Inch Nails
Nozzle
Paradise Lost x2
Pecadiloes, The
Power of Dreams
Presidents of the USA
Protocol
Rico
Rossette Stone
Sheep on Drugs x2
Silversun
Simon Warner
Sisters of Mercy
Skinny Puppy
Sneaker Pimps x2
Space
Span
Sulphur
Terrorvision
The Automatic
The Bravery
The Long Blondes
The Mission x4
Type O Negative x2
Vitriolique
Vivid
Void Construct
Warrior Soul
All About Eve
Atari Teenage Riot
Bif Naked
Cardiacs x2
Comptuorgirl
Covenant
Cranium HF
Cubanate
Dandys, The
Devilish Presley
Diary of Dreams
Die Krupps
Dream City Film Club
Droids, The
Faces of Sarah
Frog
Goteki
Inkubus Sukkubus
Kinetik
KMFDM
Leechwoman
Life of Agony
Manuskript
Melanie Garside
Midnight Configuration
Mission, The
NFD x2
Panic DHH
Pitchshifter
Puressence
Rancho Diablo
RuthRuth
Scary Bitches
Sheep on Drugs x3
Spank Organisation
Theatres des Vampyres
Ugly Kid Joe
Voices of Masada
Waltari
Xlover
XPQ21
