When BritPop came to London

Take the tube to Tottenham Court Road, then take a 5 minute walk towards Oxford Circus and you come across one of Londons iconic music venues, the 100 Club.

The list of people that have played the club over the years is huge. Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Queen and the Stones all played there, but it’s probably best known as the place where Punk started.

I can’t claim the 100 Club was my introduction to the live music scene in London. That honour goes to either the Rock Gardens or the Marquee Club. I can’t recall which as I was a bit of a drinking lightweight at that time (not much has changed then).

On one celebrated evening in 1976 the club hosted Sex Pistols, The Clash and then Siouxsie Sioux. The following night came The Damned, The Vibrators and Buzzcocks.

I was born a decade and a bit too early to be there on that night, but I was front and center when the club hosted Inspiral Carpets and Supergrass. They displaced Grunge with BritPop as the next “big thing”. I was not there for any of Oasis early concerts, but did see Paul Weller, Damien Albright and Ian Brown.

Unfortunately this week the club announced that after 68 years it’s time to close the doors. The owner blamed soaring overheads and unless there is a last-minute sponsorship deal or new buyer the club will close at Christmas.

It’s location is incredible, right in the center of town, but every other shop on Oxford Street is a loss leader for the big corporate stores and the independent stores have long gone. I guess it demise was inevitable considering the changes that have gone on around it.

I’m sorry to see any music venue close, especially one that was part of my growing up. Reading NME it’s happening more and more, notably in London, as rents go up and the clubs can’t break even any more.

The mid 90’s were a good time to be a music fan in London and the 100 Club was a big part of that for me.