Victorian heritage meets live music in an eclectic mix of stages, bars and recording studio’s all under the roof of an old steam engine repair shed. Punters and concert goers stand atop a disused railway turntable in the original Victorian Hall while listening to bands like the Gorrillaz and David Bowie. This contrast of old and new is not lost on the audience, and is more than likely a factor in the success of this popular venue. The Grade II listed building started its days as a steam engine repair shed, has been a warehouse for a gin distillery, host to the Royal Shakespeare Company and more recently a stage for the likes of The Rolling Stones and Jimi Hendrix.

The Roundhouse opened in 1846 and the original circular building from which the venue takes its name and the railway turntable in the middle of the floor remain today. The venue sat empty and close to disrepair for years before being re-opened as the Centre 42 Theatre company in the 1960’s. It became a Mecca for live music and stage in the 60’s and 70’s and hosted performers such as The rolling Stones, Jeff Beck, Gass, David Bowie, Jimi Hendrix, Jefferson Airplane, The Clash and Patti Smith (to name only a few). Of the more notable performances the Doors played their only UK appearance there in 1968 and the underground newspaper the ‘International Times’ celebrated their first issue with Soft machine and Pink Floyd performing live.

A multi million pound revamp in 1996 has ensured it remains a popular venue for both world class musicians and actors. The Roundhouse is currently one of the main arenas for both the iTunes festival and the Camden Fringe Festival, and hosts its own radio station, record label, and range of summer festivals. Recently celebrities and musicians have flocked there for the BBC Electric Proms, the BT Digital Music Awards and the Vodafone Live Music Awards.

If you are visiting London the Roundhouse is a must see venue. To raise a bit of cash for a night out in this historic setting why not visit www.musicmagpie.co.uk and sell your old CD albums for cash. If you have shelves of unused CDs gathering dust sell them at www.musicmagpie.co.uk and get more money for a night out in London.