Brixton Academy

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Coordinates: 51°27′54″N 0°06′54″W / 51.465107°N 0.114922°W / 51.465107; -0.114922

Brixton Academy
Brixton Academy, London.jpg
Exterior of venue (in 2019)
Former namesAstoria Variety Cinema (1929–39)
Odeon Astoria (1939–72)
Sundown Centre (1972)
Fair Deal (1982)
Brixton Academy (1983–2004)
Carling Academy (2004–09)
Address211 Stockwell Rd
London SW9 9SL England
LocationBrixton
Public transitNational Rail Brixton
London Underground Brixton
OwnerAcademy Music Group
Capacity4,921
Detailed capacity[1]
Construction
Opened19 August 1929 (1929-08-19)
Renovated
  • 1983
  • 2006
Closed
  • 29 July 1972 (1972-07-29)
  • January 1973
  • April 1982
Reopened
  • September 1972
  • 12 March 1982 (1982-03-12)
  • 7 October 1983 (1983-10-07)
Construction cost£250,000
($15.2 million in 2019 pounds[2])
Architect
  • Thomas Somerford
  • Edward Albert Stone
Website
Venue Website

Brixton Academy (originally known as the Astoria Variety Cinema, previously known as Carling Academy Brixton, currently named O2 Academy Brixton as part of a sponsorship deal with the O2 brand), is a mid-sized concert venue located in South London, in the district of Brixton. Opening in 1929 as a cinema, the venue was converted into a discotheque in 1972 then was reborn as a concert hall in 1983. It is owned by the Academy Music Group, and has become one of London's leading music venues,[3] hosting over 50 live albums,[4] and winning the NME Best Venue 12 times since 1994.[5] It has been home to several notable performances, including The Smiths' last gig (December 1986),[6] Leftfield's June 1996 concert which set a decibel record for a live gig at 137db,[7] and Madonna's gig in 2000, which was watched by an online audience of 9 million.[8]

History[]

Part of the Italian Renaissance interior of the auditorium

The venue started life as a cinema and theatre in 1929 on the site of a private garden in Stockwell Road. Designed by the architects Thomas Somerford and E. A. Stone,[9] it was built at a cost of £250,000 as an "Astoria" theatre. The opening show was the Al Jolson film The Singing Fool, followed by a variety act, including Heddle Nash and Derek Oldham which was broadcast by the BBC. The theatre eventually closed its doors as a cinema on 29 July 1972. It was then converted into a discotheque in September 1972, known as the "Sundown Centre".[10] The club was not a success and closed down some four months later. In May 1974 planning permission was sought to demolish the Grade II listed building and replace it with a motor showroom and petrol station. However, the redevelopment scheme was scrapped. The building was kept heated after it closed, and was used as an equipment store by the Rank Organisation.[11]

In 1981, the venue was remodelled by Sean Treacy, who later ran the entire site services, was re-opened as a rock venue called "Fair Deal"[12] with a concert by UB40 and an interior restoration. The Clash played the venue in 1982 on their Casbah Club tour (30 July) but the venue closed later that year due to debt. In 1983, Simon Parkes bought the venue for £1, and re-opened it as the Brixton Academy.[13] The Academy's success steadily grew throughout the 1980s with numerous reggae productions and it was hired out to major rock and pop acts such as Eric Clapton, Dire Straits & The Police for rehearsal. The venue was also used for video shoots for Wham! (Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go) and Culture Club.

In 1995, Parkes sold the theatre to "Break for the Border". Under its new ownership (McKenzie Group),[14] reinvestment started immediately, with a complete £500,000 refurbishment of the Art Deco building frontage to its original grandeur, additional facilities both front of house and backstage and a capacity increase to just under 5,000. The venue is currently run by the Academy Music Group after a rebranding in August 2004[15] and hosts a range of live acts and club nights. With the sale, the venue's title was changed to the "Carling Academy Brixton". In 2008, naming rights were purchased for £25.5 million by the O2 brand, owned by the Spanish telecommunications company Telefónica.[16]

Being one of the biggest non-arena venues in London, the Academy has been used by many very successful acts. It has also been voted venue of the year twelve times since 1994 in the annual NME Awards.[17] In addition the venue has won the Music Week Award for Venue of the Year several times including 2009.[18]

Notable performances[]

The decorative proscenium arch, framing the stage, with a concert in progress (Sex Pistols, 2007)

The Smiths played their last gig here in December 1986[6] which was an Anti-Apartheid benefit scheduled for the Royal Albert Hall but rearranged to the Brixton Academy due to Johnny Marr being involved in a car accident.[19]

Madonna played a special concert at the venue in 2000, to promote the release of her album, Music. The concert was broadcast live online and was watched by a record-breaking audience of 9 million.[8]

Rammstein, Iron Maiden, The Clash, Deborah Harry, The Prodigy, Arcade Fire, Nine Inch Nails, Bob Dylan, HARD-Fi, The 1975 and Sex Pistols have all played five consecutive nights at the venue.[citation needed] The Mighty Boosh broke this record in 2008, with their second live show Boosh Live, playing seven consecutive nights.[20] The xx equalled their record in March 2017, playing seven consecutive nights in support of third record I See You, becoming the first music act to reach that number.[21]

Leftfield set the world's decibel record for a live concert in 1996 when they reached 137db.[7] They were summarily banned from using the same sound system at the venue after the high bass levels started disintegrating the ceiling, resulting in showers of dust and plaster.[22] They returned in 2000 using a different sound system.

Albums recorded at Brixton[]

Main article: Live at Brixton Academy (disambiguation)
  • Space Ritual, a 1972 live album by Hawkwind, recorded in 1972 at Brixton Sundown and Liverpool Stadium.
  • Live at the Academy, Brixton, an album by Gregory Isaacs, recorded in May 1984.
  • Pete Townshend recorded Deep End Live! at Brixton Academy on 1/2 November 1985.
  • Academy, a 1989 VHS video by New Order was recorded live at the Brixton Academy on 4 April 1987 as part of the International AIDS Day fund-raising season
  • See You Up There, a 1989 live album by Stiff Little Fingers, recorded 17 March 1988.
  • A New Decade: Live From Brixton Academy, a 1990 live album by Soul II Soul, was recorded in the summer of 1990.
  • Live at the Brixton Academy, a 1991 live album by Faith No More, recorded in 1990.
  • Weird's Bar & Grill, a 1993 live album from the band Pop Will Eat Itself, recorded in 1992.
  • Live at the Brixton Academy, a 1994 live album by The Brian May Band.
  • Hole recorded their 1995 MTV Unplugged sessions there.
  • Live at Brixton Academy, a 1999 live album by Atari Teenage Riot.
  • Live at the Brixton Academy, a live album released by Sizzla on 29 August 2000
  • David Gray recorded his concert on 16 December 2000 as the album Live at Brixton Academy December 2000.
  • Motörhead recorded their 25th Anniversary concert on 20 October 2000 at Brixton Academy entitled 25 & Alive Boneshaker, released as DVD music video in 2001 and as an audio album later in 2003 under the Live at Brixton Academy title, the latter featuring the façade of Carling Academy Brixton on the cover.
  • Conflict Turning Rebellion into Money. Recorded 18 April 1987 during The Gathering of the 5000.
  • Under a Pale Grey Sky, 2002 live album by Sepultura but recorded in 1996. Last show featuring Max Cavalera.
  • Machine Head recorded their live CD Hellalive at the Brixton Academy on 8 December 2001. This CD was released on 11 March 2003.
  • Scarred: Live at Brixton Academy, a 2003 live album by Gary Numan, recorded in 2001.
  • Live at Brixton Academy, a 2003 live DVD by the Inspiral Carpets.
  • Live in London, a 2003 live album by Judas Priest, recorded in 2001.
  • A live album was released immediately after all four Pixies 2004 concerts.
  • Franz Ferdinand recorded part of their self-titled live DVD at Brixton Academy in 2004.
  • The Death in Vegas album Satan's Circus was released as a limited edition double pack including a live CD recorded at Brixton Academy.
  • Rumble in Brixton, a 2004 live album and DVD by Stray Cats.
  • Live at Brixton Academy, a 2004 live album and DVD by Dido.
  • Good Charlotte Live at Brixton Academy, a 2004 DVD by Good Charlotte
  • Live at Brixton Academy, a Limited Edition DVD recorded in 2004 for Groove Armada's album Lovebox, released for their Best Of album.
  • Part of Rammstein's DVD Völkerball was recorded at the venue between 3 and 5 February 2005.
  • Moby recorded his concert on 19 May 2005 and a double CD of the recording was available to buy at the venue after the show.
  • Over the Years and Through the Woods, a live CD and DVD by the Queens of the Stone Age on 22 August 2005
  • The Poison: Live At Brixton, a 2006 live DVD by Bullet For My Valentine
  • Damian Marley recorded the album Damian Marley, Live at the Brixton Academy in 2006
  • Live at Brixton Academy London, UK 11/13/07, a Limited Edition CD recorded by Concert Live for Alexisonfire, and distributed after the show
  • Live in the UK 2008 at Brixton Academy 1 February 2008, a Limited Edition CD recorded by Concert Live for Paramore, and distributed immediately after the show
  • Edgy In Brixton, a 2007 live DVD by The Fratellis
  • Live in the UK at Brixton Academy 3 May 2008, a Limited Edition CD recorded by Concert Live for The Wombats, and distributed after the show
  • Live from Brixton Academy, a live recording from the band Kasabian, available only from some digital download services and encumbered with DRM. It was recorded at Brixton Academy on 15 December 2004. This was the band's final show of their momentous breakthrough year, and band member Sergio Pizzorno's birthday.
  • There'll Always Be an England, a live DVD and documentary recorded in 2007 for Sex Pistols.
  • Jimmy Eat World recorded their concert on 18 February 2008 and a double CD of the recording was available to buy at the venue after the show and also online. The show was a sell-out despite not having a major hit in the UK.
  • Pendulum recorded a live DVD in Brixton on 4 December 2008.
  • Dave Matthews Band released a DVD of a 26 June 2009 concert entitled Across the Pond as a part of a box-set Europe 2009 on 22 December 2009.
  • Jamie T recorded his concert on 5 February 2010, which was sold at the venue the next day.
  • Chase and Status recorded live album Live at Brixton Academy in 2012
  • Faithless recorded their "Passing The Baton" album live at Brixton Academy in 2012.
  • Two Door Cinema Club recorded a live album as part of a two-disc deluxe set for the 2012 album Beacon.
  • Asking Alexandria recorded their show at Brixton Academy in January 2013, it was released in December 2014 in DVD format on Live From Brixton And Beyond.
  • Carter USM recorded their show at Brixton Academy on 14 November 2009. This recording was released as part of the two disc ' The Drum Machine Years' release which also included a recording of the previous night's gig at London (HMV) Forum.
  • Carter USM "The Final Comedown" Live CD & DVD was recorded in November 2014. Said to be as the best live film & audio recording of the band that has ever been made & a fitting end to the band's live career.
  • Of Mice & Men recorded their show at Brixton Academy in March 2015. Made a live DVD called, 'Live at Brixton' Released on 27 May 2016.
  • New Order recorded their show at Brixton Academy in November 2015. Made a live album called, 'NOMC15' Released on 26 May 2017.
  • 5 Seconds of Summer recorded their show at Brixton Academy on 29 October 2018. They made a live album called, ‘Meet You There Tour Live’ which was released 21 December 2018.
  • Public Service Broadcasting recorded their album: "Live at Brixton" at Brixton in 2016
  • Gojira recorded their show at Brixton Academy on 24 March 2013, later releasing it on 11 March 2014 as Les Enfants Sauvages.

Videos recorded at Brixton[]

  • The ITV Panto Cinderella, which was not actually released on DVD or VHS.
  • Queen guitarist Brian May performed at the venue in 1993
  • Tenacious D has the entire performance from 3 November 2002 at the Brixton Academy on the second disc of their DVD, The Complete Masterworks.
  • Iron Maiden recorded three videos here: "Women in Uniform", "Run to the Hills" and "The Trooper"
  • Faith No More had their performance filmed at The Brixton Academy in 1990. The performance was released on VHS and subsequently to DVD and is titled You Fat Bastards: Live at the Brixton Academy.[23][24]
  • In Bed With Carter was filmed at Brixton Academy. It features a live gig of Carter The Unstoppable Sex Machine (Carter USM).
  • The movie 9 Songs features numerous performances (e.g., Franz Ferdinand) all shot at Brixton Academy.
  • Suede's VHS/DVD Love and Poison, originally released in 1993, was filmed at Brixton Academy.
  • In 1990, AC/DC filmed the music video for their song "Thunderstruck" at the Academy.
  • Boy George and Culture Club filmed the video for their 1986 top-ten hit "Move Away" at the Brixton Academy. The video has extensive footage of the venue, including the entrance hall, the staircase and the circle. The band is also seen as silent film-stars racing cars across the venues former film-screen.
  • Video shoots for Wham! were held at the venue. Billy Ocean's video for "When The Going Gets Tough, The Tough Get Going" on the soundtrack for The Jewel of the Nile was shot in Brixton Academy.
  • Elegies, the 2005 DVD from Machine Head featured material record at the Brixton Academy while on tour the previous year.
  • The Sex Pistols are due to bring out a DVD of their five gigs in 2007. It is mostly based on the 10 November 2007 gig.
  • The Mighty Boosh Live DVD was recorded at the Brixton Academy in 2006.
  • The video for "Who's Got A Match?" by Biffy Clyro was recorded at Brixton Academy in October 2007.
  • Moloko recorded a live DVD: 11,000 Clicks at The Brixton Academy on 22 November 2003. It was the last show of a long tour for Moloko and was likely their final performance as a band.
  • N.E.R.D. recorded their second single "Spaz" from third album Seeing Sounds at The Brixton Academy on 14 June 2008.
  • Bullet For My Valentine recorded their gig for the DVD The Poison: Live at Brixton at Brixton on 28 January 2006.
  • Alanis Morissette Flavor of Entanglement tour was televised in the UK.
  • On 26 June 2009, Dave Matthews Band filmed the music video for their second single, "Why I Am".
  • Placebo filmed the video for their 1999 single "Every You Every Me" during a gig at the Academy.
  • A concert in 1992 by Ride at Brixton Academy was recorded for the VHS Going Blank Again – Live at Brixton Academy (also known as Brixton).
  • You Me At Six, filmed the music video for their song "Underdog" and "Reckless" at Brixton Academy.
  • Gabriella Cilmi filmed the video for her 2010 single Hearts Don't Lie at the venue.
  • Queens of the Stone Age's Over the Years and Through the Woods DVD was partly recorded at Brixton Academy. It also features a live CD.
  • Deadmau5 recorded 5 videos off 2010 album 4×4=12
  • DJ Shadow, In Tune and On Time.
  • Meat Loaf's 23 February 1985 show was recorded and released as the video Bad Attitude Live!
  • Placebo – We Come In Pieces.
  • Groove Armada – Brixton Academy (13–14 December 2002) – available with The Best of Groove Armada: Limited Edition CD+DVD set
  • Steel Panther recorded their live DVD British Invasion at the Brixton Academy in 2010, and was released in late 2012.
  • The Smashing Pumpkins recorded their performance in 1996, selective songs from the performance appears on DVD which is on their recent reissue of Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness.
  • The music video for the song "Run Free" by Asking Alexandria was filmed at Brixton.
  • "Les Enfants Sauvages" – Gojira – Recorded March 2013, released March 2014
  • Asking Alexandria's performance at Brixton in January 2013 was recorded and is set to be released as a live DVD with bonus extras on 15 December 2014.
  • Babymetal – Live in London – Includes performance recorded 8 November 2014. Released 20 May 2015.[25]
  • PULP – F.E.E.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.I.V.E. recorded 21 December 1995. Reissued on ultimate live DVD
  • Rammstein recorded 4 songs performed at Brixton in February 2005 (Sonne, Ohne dich, Rein Raus and Feuer Frei) and released on Völkerball.

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Company Profile: O2 Academy Brixton". Academy Music Group. December 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  2. ^ UK Retail Price Index inflation figures are based on data from Clark, Gregory (2017). "The Annual RPI and Average Earnings for Britain, 1209 to Present (New Series)". MeasuringWorth. Retrieved 2 February 2020.
  3. ^ "Visitor Information: O2 Academy Brixton". LondonTown. April 2012. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020.
  4. ^ "A Brief History of Brixton Academy". southlondonclub.co.uk.
  5. ^ Rhian Daly (8 February 2017). "VO5 NME Awards 2017: 9 Things You Might Not Know About London's O2 Academy Brixton". NME.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Zaleski, Annie (12 December 2016). "30 Years Ago: The Smiths Play Their Final Concert". Diffuser.fm. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  7. ^ Jump up to: a b "The loudest bands of all time". Radio X. Global Radio. 2 July 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  8. ^ Jump up to: a b "9 Million Watch Madonna Webcast". CBS News. CBS Corporation. 28 November 2000. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  9. ^ Visvardi, Aikaterini (31 March 2016). "The Sound of Music". Vicinity Magazine: 89. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020 – via Issuu.
  10. ^ Allen, Carl (15 April 2016). London Gig Venues. Stroud, England: Amberley Publishing. ISBN 1445658208.
  11. ^ Parkes, Simon; Rafaeli, J.S. (23 January 2014). Live at the Brixton Academy: A Riotous Life in the Music Business. London, England: Profile Books. ISBN 1847659934.
  12. ^ Gimarc, George (2005). Punk Diary: The Ultimate Trainspotter's Guide to Underground Rock, 1970–1982. Milwaukee, Wisconsin: Backbeat Books. ISBN 0879308486.
  13. ^ Parkes, Simon; Thomas, Justin (27 January 2014). "I Bought the Brixton Academy for £1". Vice. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  14. ^ "MBO to boost Academy roll-out". The Herald. 30 August 2004. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  15. ^ "MKG Announce Carling Academy Liverpool". Entertainment Technology Press. 14 May 2003. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  16. ^ "O2 replaces Carling as Academy venues sponsor". Marketing Week. 6 November 2008. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  17. ^ "Profile". Academy Music Group. August 2005. Archived from the original on 19 July 2007. Retrieved 8 November 2007.
  18. ^ Cardew, Ben (9 April 2009). "Blackwell saluted as best of last 50 years". Music Week. Archived from the original on 25 April 2009.
  19. ^ "Morrissey jealous of neck brace". The Boston Globe. 20 July 2009. Archived from the original on 23 December 2020. Retrieved 23 December 2020.
  20. ^ Moore, Sam (28 July 2016). "New 'The Mighty Boosh' exhibition to showcase unseen tour photography and Noel Fielding illustrations". NME. Archived from the original on 22 October 2016.
  21. ^ "The xx announce record-breaking seven Brixton Academy shows". The Guardian. 25 November 2016. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016.
  22. ^ "Leftfield Bring the House Down". Turbosound. MUSIC Group IP Ltd. November 2010. Archived from the original on 12 April 2015. Retrieved 6 April 2015.
  23. ^ "Faith No More: Live at the Brixton Academy (Video 1990)". IMDb. 18 September 1990.
  24. ^ "Faith No More: Live at the Brixton Academy Movie Reviews, Information and Film Reviews for Faith No More: Live at the Brixton Academy the Movie". movierevie.ws.
  25. ^ "Amazon.co.jp – LIVE IN LONDON -BABYMETAL WORLD TOUR 2014– [Blu-ray] DVD・ブルーレイ – BABYMETAL". Amazon.com.
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