Venue - The Roundhouse

Published: 2009-10-22

Various artists - The Roundhouse

The Roundhouse is a former circular railway engine shed converted into an arts venue. It's situated in Chalk Farm, in the borough of Camden in north London.

The Roundhouse was originally built as a turntable engine shed in 1847 for the London and Birmingham Railway. Technical developments meant that within 20 years locomotives became too large for the roundhouse to handle, and it use changed. In the late 60s it was converted into a theatre and concert venue.

In the late 1960s and into the 1970s, the Roundhouse was to become an important venue for UK Underground and music events. The Rolling Stones, David Bowie, The Sinceros, Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Incredible String Band, The Doors, Jefferson Airplane, Elkie Brooks and Motörhead all played at the Roundhouse.

On the 20th of July 1975 Motörhead played their first ever gig here.

On the 4th of July 1976, the Roundhouse hosted the first ever UK appearance of The Ramones, this is often regarded as the gig that started off the UK punk rock movement.

In 1977 Kraftwerk played the Roundhouse.

In 1983 the Greater London Council had passed the building to the local authorities of Camden and it closed as a venue. There was plans to develop the building and turn it into a centre for black artists, but this project ws cancelled in 1990. The Roundhouse stood empty for a while until the Norman Trust, led by Torquil Norman, started the Roundhouse Trust to lead its redevelopment.

The renovated Roundhouse opened on the 1st of June 2006 and was to serve as venue for the BBC's Electric Proms in 2006 and 2007. It has also served as venue for the BT Digital Music Awards and the Vodafone Live Music Awards.