{"id":2472160,"date":"2026-06-23T15:11:05","date_gmt":"2026-06-23T15:11:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2472160"},"modified":"2026-06-23T15:11:05","modified_gmt":"2026-06-23T15:11:05","slug":"bringing-back-the-barfly-frank-turner-and-the-camden-venues-new-owners-on-the-importance-of-londons-grassroots-music-scene","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/bringing-back-the-barfly-frank-turner-and-the-camden-venues-new-owners-on-the-importance-of-londons-grassroots-music-scene\/","title":{"rendered":"Bringing back the Barfly: Frank Turner and the Camden venue\u2019s new owners on the importance of London\u2019s grassroots music scene"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<p id=\"elk-848f6f3b-1caa-4e73-af9c-0a841bd4b647\">They\u2019re trying to send Camden\u2019s live music scene to rehab, and we say \u201cgo, go, go\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>The launchpad for artists including Amy Winehouse, Coldplay and dozens of others, the Camden Barfly celebrated its grand re-opening last night, giving London\u2019s grassroots music scene another vital performance space.<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"elk-seasonal\"\/><\/p>\n<aside data-block-type=\"embed\" data-render-type=\"fte\" data-skip=\"dealsy\" data-widget-type=\"seasonal\" class=\"hawk-root\"\/>\n<p id=\"elk-848f6f3b-1caa-4e73-af9c-0a841bd4b647-2\">The venue at 49 Chalk Farm Road has had many names over the years, from The Camden Assembly to The Monarch, but its noughties-era incarnation as the Barfly was its most loved, with the 200-capacity space attracting the then-stars-of-tomorrow, including Adele, The Strokes, Ed Sheeran and many more to its stage.<\/p>\n<div class=\"my-6 w-full overflow-hidden rounded-[10px] lg:my-8\" data-component-name=\"JwPlayer:Carousel\" data-jwp-carousel=\"\" data-jwp-carousel-payload=\"{&quot;ids&quot;:{&quot;playerID&quot;:&quot;NhHwsjaH&quot;,&quot;searchPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;TDqb8ZeZ&quot;,&quot;divID&quot;:&quot;botr_TDqb8ZeZ_NhHwsjaH_div&quot;,&quot;fallbackPlaylistID&quot;:&quot;TDqb8ZeZ&quot;,&quot;fallbackDivID&quot;:&quot;botr_TDqb8ZeZ_NhHwsjaH_div&quot;,&quot;key&quot;:&quot;yGFURq7AP7v3ssvuuDoZhLMA3XRBqmkIxIzO+WeXNhO9DiwK&quot;,&quot;tintLogo&quot;:true,&quot;useSearchPlaylist&quot;:false,&quot;enabled&quot;:true},&quot;signPostingEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;signPostingLinkEnabled&quot;:true,&quot;waitForAdLoad&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnDesktop&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnMobile&quot;:false,&quot;hidePlayerOnTablet&quot;:false}\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-nowrap items-center justify-between gap-3 bg-zinc-900 px-[14px] py-3\" data-jwp-carousel-header=\"\">\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 shrink items-center\"><span class=\"inline-flex items-center gap-1.5 text-sm font-article-heading capitalize leading-5 text-white whitespace-nowrap\"><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-mobile\"\/><span class=\"jwp-carousel-title-desktop\">Latest Videos From<\/span><span class=\"jwp-carousel-brand inline-flex items-center\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"aspect-video w-full min-h-[200px] lg:min-h-[330px] relative overflow-hidden bg-black\" data-jwp-carousel-container=\"\">\n<div class=\"absolute inset-0 size-full items-center justify-center bg-white\" data-jwp-carousel-fallback=\"\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/v6vzsjjyvs1741794097.svg\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/v6vzsjjyvs1741794097.svg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/flexiimages\/v6vzsjjyvs1741794097.svg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] max-h-12 w-auto\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>And now it&#8217;s back \u2014 and at a crucial moment for London\u2019s grassroots scene, as more and more small performance spaces disappear. Yes, there\u2019s still space for the superstars at London\u2019s arenas and stadiums \u2014 but where do the first-gig teenagers get their opportunities to perform in front of a crowd?<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-66808ccd-b502-4443-97d6-9ee021ac3454\">That\u2019s where the Barfly comes in.<\/p>\n<p id=\"elk-d8dd9b1a-663b-458b-91cf-1f9096342def\">\u201cIt&#8217;s not that the music industry as a whole is in a bad place, it&#8217;s just in a bit of a state of flux at a certain level,\u201d says Barfly co-owner Richard Buck.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s just about revalidating the ecosystem and how you do that, so I think we should all be hugely optimistic about where music in creative arts is. It&#8217;s just about how we engage it and make it commercially viable for those that are really at the developing level.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"slice-container-newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-wDFRiS5zaFXEzmF28wYosk\" class=\"slice-container newsletter-inbodyContent-slice newsletterForm-articleInbodyContent-wDFRiS5zaFXEzmF28wYosk slice-container-newsletterForm\">\n<div data-hydrate=\"true\" class=\"newsletter-form__wrapper newsletter-form__wrapper--inbodyContent\">\n<div class=\"newsletter-form__container\">\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__top-bar\"\/>\n<section class=\"newsletter-form__main-section\">\n<p class=\"newsletter-form__strapline\">Get exclusive shortlists, celebrity interviews and the best deals on the products you care about, straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-af2cdae3-1472-4c8a-a733-12b364e4d5b4\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:5712px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:75.00%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y.jpg\" alt=\"Barfly 2026 re-opening\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/b7e4Mui2p5LXfFsdJZxi2Y.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)]\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"inline-layout \">\n<div class=\"caption-text\">\n<p>L-R: Richard Buck, Chris McCormack, Frank Turner, Dan Ickowitz-Seidler<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><p>(Image credit: Barfly)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-46f4b65b-a4cf-4039-a431-0e5cd4e586c3\">\u201cI think there&#8217;s a lot more awareness about the challenges of grassroots venues and venues of this capacity, because fundamentally they don&#8217;t stack up financially,\u201d adds Dan Ickowitz-Seidler, fellow co-owner at the Barfly, and Buck\u2019s partner in the Propaganda Independent Venues (PIV) group, of which Barfly is now a part.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;re providing something really important for the music industry, providing the first opportunities for artists to play and really engage with a fan base and build a fan base.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOver the years we&#8217;ve had Adele, Amy Winehouse, Frank Turner played his first sold-out show here, The Strokes, Libertines, Killers, The National \u2014 so many incredible artists have played on this stage, but as a venue it&#8217;s really hard to stack up when you&#8217;ve only got so much capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"elk-2e6a8a67-e070-466f-ba17-66be6cfec9a3\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"making-camden-rock-again-3\">Making Camden rock again<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-9add53ee-640e-4a1f-b14b-875448538efc\">The team behind Barfly\u2019s re-opening is well-positioned to help it succeed. Buck and Ickowitz-Seidler\u2019s PIV has already successfully taken ownership of Tramshed and The Globe in Cardiff, as well as the XOYO clubs in London and Birmingham, clawing back their independence from Australian live entertainment giant TEG. Fellow co-owner Chris McCormack (formerly the guitarist in alt-rockers 3 Colours Red), founded the Camden Rocks festival, which united Camden\u2019s many live music spaces under one banner. And each has a personal connection to the venue, whether having gigged there, DJ\u2019d there, or promoted nights at the Barfly.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-f069e0ac-c33a-4abe-bd8c-06c612f5ebf1\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:1490px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.71%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-1490-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-1490-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q.jpg\" alt=\"Barfly 2026 re-opening\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-1490-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-1490-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/tFhs7Cy8ctmp4q7GUmqA4Q.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)]\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>(Image credit: Naomi Dryden-Smith)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<figure id=\"elk-19763067-0ab0-43b5-ab64-17c61b2c68a9\">\n<blockquote class=\"vanilla-quoteblock\">\n<p>I would not have the career I have, the living I have, the art that I have, all that kind of thing, if I hadn&#8217;t had the opportunity to find myself, find my audience, figure out who I am, figure out what I want to say, in rooms like the Barfly.<\/p><figcaption><cite>Frank Turner<\/cite><\/figcaption><\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-d3a90ac7-e8dd-4899-922f-de8507160ee9\">Support for grassroots venues is picking up speed as awareness grows too, with charities like the Music Venue Trust helping struggling sites keep their doors open, and bigger shows and performers pushing funds towards the cause.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe&#8217;ve got the \u00a31 Pound Ticket Levy that&#8217;s going on to more and more shows [<em>an additional \u00a31 fee artists and venues can optionally add to their ticket prices to help fund the restoration of grassroots venues, .ed<\/em>]. Royal Albert Hall, and a lot of other large venues are starting to do it more and more, and I think people realise that they need to be supporting venues of this size to allow them to continue to exist,\u201d says Ickowitz-Seidler.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSo we\u2019re optimistic, hopefully, of the future support that&#8217;s going to be here for venues of this size. Nervous about the challenges of the industry as a whole, but I think we&#8217;re confident we can at least get to break even and hopefully make it work.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And there are plans for more to come \u2014 McCormack is looking to revive the multi-venue Camden Rocks festival, with the Barfly at its heart. Stretching a mile through Camden\u2019s music heartland, it saw punters dip in and out of more than twenty venues on a single ticket to see hundreds of acts across a weekend.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-bf48f700-7ba8-41d0-812c-4481449ece24\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:4032px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc.jpg\" alt=\"Barfly 2026 re-opening\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/k3cEAinD3vUUTufaqhK9Bc.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)]\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-70de9176-bd77-4b64-9c13-badcb998f788\">\u201cCamden&#8217;s still Camden,\u201d says McCormack. \u201cThere&#8217;s not many places you can pull off a festival like Camden Rocks. You can do it in Brighton, but you&#8217;ve got to get taxis everywhere.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut Camden is very concentrated, you&#8217;ve got your great venues like The Underworld, The Black Heart, the big ones like Electric Ballroom and The Roundhouse. You\u2019ve got all different-sized venues, it&#8217;s great \u2014 when you&#8217;re walking down the street any day of the week, you hear bands playing.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt&#8217;s important that the venues group together. We&#8217;re not against each other, we&#8217;re all part of the same thing, and that&#8217;s what creates the scene in Camden.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"elk-65f414b2-b355-4d40-a438-c1ab86bed6c5\"\/><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"barfly-s-biggest-fan-takes-to-its-stage-3\">Barfly\u2019s biggest fan takes to its stage<\/h2>\n<p id=\"elk-a0d4e6ec-ffcd-4525-88de-a9b2041b7393\">The new era of the Barfly was kicked off by not one, but two sold-out shows in a single night from punk singer-songwriter Frank Turner. The long-time North Londoner played his first ever shows at the Barfly in its original incarnation \u2014 both as part of his band Million Dead, and then later as a solo artist. Revealing his very own (unofficial) blue plaque at the venue, it\u2019s a space that\u2019s close to the musician\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-7cfbdb09-95b3-48e5-8dbd-9dbf7e7f4c59\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:5712px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc.jpg\" alt=\"Barfly 2026 re-opening\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/dWoNGTGzYrvwkThCYr8GGc.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)]\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>(Image credit: Future)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-5540a43e-3975-4de8-bc2e-830f2233f8cf\">\u201cI feel that I have a debt of gratitude to repay, because my career would not exist without rooms like this,\u201d says Turner.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI would not have the career I have, the living I have, the art that I have, all that kind of thing, if I hadn&#8217;t had the opportunity to find myself, find my audience, figure out who I am, figure out what I want to say, in rooms like the Barfly.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Turner\u2019s route to stardom has been a steady ascension, with 3,166 shows under his belt following the Barfly double-header. Venues like the Barfly have allowed him the space and time to build a loyal following \u2014 something not always afforded the artists of today where social virality is sometimes seen as the key currency.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat sort of viral TikTok success type thing is just so flimsy,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEverybody&#8217;s heard horror stories about getting a billion streams on TikTok, booking a big venue, and then selling 12 tickets. It&#8217;s important to view that kind of virality as almost a totally different thing to actually building an audience \u2014 they&#8217;re two separate phenomena. We don&#8217;t have to be judgmental about one or the other in saying that, but having a million kids who know 30 seconds of one of your songs is not the same as building an audience for your career.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-a709ba19-de23-4ee6-929f-98a98515fbab\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:6000px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:66.67%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ.jpg\" alt=\"Barfly 2026 re-opening\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/xUzZ2SQnQvgKGcMqDcHZkQ.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)]\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>(Image credit: Kevin O&#8217;Sullivan)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-804fe7df-e246-4ef5-a67c-c1e4e877b7cd\">There\u2019s an education to be had for a generation of young gig-goers lost to \u201cCOVID-weirdness\u201d too, says Turner, youngsters that were deprived of the joys of those formative nights out at sweaty clubs and gigs, with an industry instead keen to push them towards shows at enormodome venues for stars charging several hundred pounds per ticket.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout \" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\" id=\"elk-373728df-ecaf-4444-abed-34921ca699b5\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:5712px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:56.25%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-1920-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-1600-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-1280-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-1024-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-768-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y.jpg\" alt=\"Barfly 2026 re-opening\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-1920-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-1600-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-1280-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-1024-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-768-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/apRpoGcDgwomTPEFHJhc2Y.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)]\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>(Image credit: Barfly)<\/p>\n<\/figure>\n<p id=\"elk-35cb01e8-ad9a-4549-a8c3-ea59361176f6\">\u201cYeah, you can spend 400 quid and see Olivia Rodrigo, which is fine, and she&#8217;s great. But you could also spend just 15 quid and go and see a bunch of bands you\u2019ve never heard of and maybe discover something amazing. Also, more to the point, you make connections with people in the room, and then you&#8217;ll meet the band afterwards, and they&#8217;ll sweat on you during the gig, and you feel part of something in a way that you just don&#8217;t in a corporate arena setting.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere&#8217;s something so direct about the connection in the room like this. The audience is there, you can touch them \u2014 you can touch about half of them if you lean! There&#8217;s this sort of feedback loop, because a good show is a dialogue, not a monologue, it&#8217;s about an exchange of energy, and that is so very apparent in a room like this.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>Want to know <\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.barflycamden.com\/whatson\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.barflycamden.com\/whatson\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\"><u><em>what\u2019s on next at the Barfly<\/em><\/u><\/a><em>? Check out all the <\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.barflycamden.com\/whatson\" data-url=\"https:\/\/www.barflycamden.com\/whatson\" target=\"_blank\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\"><u><em>upcoming shows here<\/em><\/u><\/a><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n<hr id=\"elk-b3f30da9-6b9c-4c69-8bb7-fc692205dd24\"\/><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKAgKIiJDQklTRXdnTWFnOEtEWE5vYjNKMGJHbHpkQzVqYjIwb0FBUAE\" target=\"_blank\" id=\"elk-e47677c5-9577-44e8-bd63-399ae98f5494\" data-url=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKAgKIiJDQklTRXdnTWFnOEtEWE5vYjNKMGJHbHpkQzVqYjIwb0FBUAE\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"van-image-figure inline-layout pull-left\" data-bordeaux-image-check=\"\">\n<div class=\"image-full-width-wrapper\">\n<div class=\"image-widthsetter\" style=\"max-width:661px;\">\n<p class=\"vanilla-image-block\" style=\"padding-top:29.95%;\"> <picture data-new-v2-image=\"true\"><source type=\"image\/webp\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg.webp 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg.webp 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg.webp 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg.webp 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg.webp 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-415-80.jpg.webp 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-360-80.jpg.webp 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-320-80.jpg.webp 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn.jpg\" alt=\"Shortlist Google Preferred Source\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg 1600w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg 1280w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-661-80.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-415-80.jpg 415w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-360-80.jpg 360w, https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn-320-80.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"(min-width: 710px) 670px, calc(100vw - 30px)\" loading=\"lazy\" data-new-v2-image=\"true\" data-original-mos=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn.jpg\" data-pin-media=\"https:\/\/cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net\/iCwnnPjWUTtczNTGFwMtbn.jpg\" class=\"rounded-[var(--image--border-radius,0)] pull-left\"\/>\n<\/picture><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>Skip the search \u2014 <\/em><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-analytics-id=\"inline-link\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKAgKIiJDQklTRXdnTWFnOEtEWE5vYjNKMGJHbHpkQzVqYjIwb0FBUAE\" target=\"_blank\" data-url=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqKAgKIiJDQklTRXdnTWFnOEtEWE5vYjNKMGJHbHpkQzVqYjIwb0FBUAE\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-hl-processed=\"none\" data-mrf-recirculation=\"inline-link\"><em><strong>follow Shortlist on Google News<\/strong><\/em><\/a><em> to get our best lists, news, features and reviews at the top of your feeds!<\/em><\/p>\n<hr id=\"elk-9b15495f-1e93-4538-87e5-10a3e33af821\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.shortlist.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>They\u2019re trying to send Camden\u2019s live music scene to rehab, and we say \u201cgo, go, go\u201d. The launchpad for artists including Amy Winehouse, Coldplay and dozens of others, the Camden Barfly celebrated its grand re-opening last night, giving London\u2019s grassroots music scene another vital performance space. The venue at 49 Chalk Farm Road has had [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2472162,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25179],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2472160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/Bringing-back-the-Barfly-Frank-Turner-and-the-Camden-venues-scaled.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2472160","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2472160"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2472160\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2472163,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2472160\/revisions\/2472163"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2472162"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2472160"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2472160"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2472160"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}