Another Venue Burns to the Ground

RIP Embassy Hotel.

Really, no one seems too surprised. After the multiple debacles surrounding the downfall of the Brunswick Hotel, it will take a lot to shake Londoners.

The Embassy closed earlier this year. I went to see the last show ever, mainly to be a part of a bit of local music history. That night was full of mixed emotions: nostalgia, excitement, hope, a bit of sadness and a lot of choas. Touring the building the following day was a slightly more downtrodden experience for me, but as an archiver of local culture, I was glad to take a closer peek at one of the oldest venues in the city and have one last beer in the eerily quiet surroundings.

London is losing venues left and right, but despite this local music is thriving. Londoners are becoming more creative in finding performance space. House shows are becoming more prevalent as of late (a fact of which I LOVE). New venues are opening. In-stores at the local record shop are a positive frequent occurance and art co-ops are popping up and opening their doors. And as summer approaches, more and more folks will be jamming in the park, myself included!

So while the ‘Wick, Embassy, Salt Lounge and Alex P. Keaton have dimmed the lights or gone up in smoke, music will still drift out of windows, through the floorboards, down alleys and streets of Londontown. See you at the show.