Camden Underworld

The entrance to the Camden Underworld

The Camden Underworld is a music venue in Camden Town, London, England. The venue itself is a part of the World's End pub, being situated in the basement of the building.

History

Over the years 'The Underworld' (as it has commonly come to be known within the local scene) has become the heart of the alternative music scene in England. Little is promoted about the history of the venue, although it dates back to the opening of the pub above. The venue is itself owned by Glendola Leisure.

In 2007, influential Canadian musician Devin Townsend chose to tell the press of his departure from touring, and the breakup of his bands Strapping Young Lad and The Devin Townsend Band during a press conference for his album Ziltoid the Omniscient at the Camden Underworld.

Camden Underworld also has a number of regular nights including a retro 80s night and Silver, a rock and indie themed event. Although the crowd tends to be young, some of the most popular events and music include throwbacks such as 80s and disco.^[1]

On 11 May 2009, The Underworld played host to the first Thrash and Burn European Tour 2009 after a change in venue (The show was meant to be on at the Electric Ballroom, also located in Camden Town, London.

Since 2010, The Underworld has also played host to many international based gigs, most notably to Nepalese Community. Famous Nepali bands such as Mukti and Revival and Cobweb has played here in gigs organised by GigExtra.^[2]

On 21 November 2010, The Underworld hosted the grand final of national unsigned music competition Top of the Ox won by Singer-Songwriter Ian Edwards.^[3]

Between 2008 and 2012, the venue hosted four editions of the "British Steel" Festival, featuring bands including: Elixir, Witchfynde, Praying Mantis, Pagan Altar, Cloven Hoof, Jaguar and Gunslinger.^[4]

Venue information

Despite its relatively small size (capacity around 500 people) compared to other venues such as the Brixton Academy, the Camden Underworld has gained a reputation as one of the foremost clubs to see both up and coming, and well established bands from across the rock and metal music scene.

Past bands

• Abingdon Boys School^[5]
• AC4^[6][7][8]
• Agalloch ^[9]
• At the Drive-In^[5]
• Bad Religion^[5]
• Breathe Carolina^[5]
• Black Rebel Motorcycle Club^[5]

Black Veil Brides^[5]

• The Datsuns^[5]
• The Darkness^[5]
• Dropkick Murphys ^[10]
• Enter Shikari
• Fall Out Boy
• Foo Fighters^[11][12]
• Ghost (Swedish band)
• Leftover Crack
• The Grandmothers (ex-Zappa)
• The LoveCrave^[5]
• The Offspring^[5]
• Placebo^[5]
• Queens of the Stone Age^[5]
• Radiohead^[5]
• Reef^[5]
• Sheryl Crow^[5]
• Shonen Knife^[13]
• Silverchair^[5]
• Simple Plan^[5]
• Slash's Snakepit^[5]
• Smashing Pumpkins^[5]
• Soundgarden^[5]
• KT Tunstall^[5]
• Suede^[5]
• [Spunge]^[5]
• Lubby Nugget^[5]
• Sons of Alpha Centauri^[5]
• You Me At Six

See also

• Live at Camden Underworld - a 2002 video by As Friends Rust and Strike Anywhere
• Live at the Camden Underworld (2004) - DVD featuring Captain Everything!, Divit and Belvedere

Coordinates: 51°32′21″N 0°08′32″W / 51.5392°N 0.1422°W / 51.5392; -0.1422

Notes