The Astoria, one of Londons most famous music venues, is set to close its doors, on my 30th Birthday. The Astoria, The LA2 (the place i went to my first ever gig at), Metros and Sin will all be demolished to make way for the new crossrail service and a bigger Tottenham Court Road station.
Rumours that the venue was to be shut have been circulating as far back as 1998, with concrete plans for the demolition announced in 2007.
I have seen hundreds of bands at both the Astoria and the LA2 ranging from Bush to Sepultura, to Hatebreeds first ever UK show to Bad Religion.. When i was 16-18, Friday nights were spent at "Rockscene", and we would always move on from the Dome to Club X at the LA2, where we would take over a corner and make it ours till 6am.. then walk up to Charing Cross Mcdonalds, have breakfast and get the first train home....Those were the days..
I have fond memories and not so good memories of both venues, and in all honesty, while both are shitholes, it is a shame that we are losing yet another venue in London. The Garage has gone, and now three more music venues and a club are going as well. Londons live music scene will suffer, especially as there is no other venue that is sized as the LA2.
Anyhow, it seems that Rancid was the last time I will ever have attended the venue, and what a way to say goodbye.
Shame.
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