Live music venues

We’ve recently moved to the UK and find ourselves in Forest Hill. Wondering if there are any live music venues around. Any recommendations much appreciated.

Your best bet is Brixton Academy. 25 mins by the P4 bus or 15 mins on a bicycle.

Welcome to the UK!

Depends what sort of live music you are keen on. As Clausy says the nearest major venue is the Brixton Academy. Although the O2 in North Greenwich is an easy 30 min trip on the Overground and tube - that hosts pretty big gigs - this weekend was New Order

Pre pandemic lot of pubs hosted DJs and smaller live music events - The Gowlett, The Ivy House, The Blythe Hill Tavern are all very good - though it might be a good idea to check if they are starting events again.

New Cross, a couple of train stops away has a very strong music scene, quite studenty as it is dominated by Goldsmiths College.

Peckham - a short bus ride away or a 30 min walk has a very vibrant music scene, often concentrated around the Bussey Building and the venues around Copeland Road.

Crystal Palace Park had begun to host live music festivals in the summer so one to watch out for next year.

There is a lot going on in this little area of London - take some time to explore the area.

Fox&Firkin, a pub close to Lewisham Hospital, has live music nights. Depending on where in Forest Hill you are, but ca. 10-15 min by bus, 122, 185 and the 75.

Lots of church recitals too. E.g.:

Plus look out for Sydenham Arts events in the future:

And you can sign up for Sydenham Society’s frequent enewsletters, which lists local events:

https://sydenhamsociety.com/e-newsletter/

Here is today’s - no live music this time, but other interesting events, including a David Bowie themed walk:

https://mailchi.mp/086f64992d02/187fqbxsx7-5482399?e=0949d9ce05

The Islington Assembly Hall and the Union Chapel , also in Islington, are both excellent venues and easily reachable direct on the Overground. My favourite is the Union Chapel , a very intimate place with a constant stream of high quality acts.

Thanks! We have checked out New Cross Inn so far, so glad we are looking in the right places Think Peckham is definitely one to explore.

Lots of great pub music venues in nearby Greenwich/Deptford too – the Birds Nest, the Morden Arms, the Pelton, the Duke of York… blues, folk, rock and all sorts

Thanks! We checked out the Bird’s Nest but not on a night with a show. Will definitely check out the others you mention.

Appreciate the recommendations from everyone!

We always have fun at Fox & Firkin !

Thursday nighta at the Blythe are great.

As others have said the Fox & Firkin

The catford bridge tavern has an interesting open mic night

The albany, deptford

In the summer the Horniman has some great live music in the grounds

Also in the summer theres the brockley max festival and keep an eye on gigs in the summer at Crystal Palace Park, Beckenham Place Park, Brockwell Park

Being on the Overground also opens up the Shoreditch / Dalston / Hackney music scene, so all of these are in easy reach by direct trains:

New Cross Gate - Amersham Arms, New Cross Inn
Shadwell - Wilton’s Music Hall
Shoreditch High St - Village Underground, Rich Mix, Strongroom Bar, Rough Trade East, Colours Hoxton, Werkhaus, Old St Records
Hoxton - Folklore
Dalston Junction - EartH, Cafe OTO, Shacklewell Arms, Servant Jazz Quarters
Highbury & Islington - Garage, Union Chapel, Islington Assembly Hall

And with one change:
Hackney Central - MOTH Club, Oslo
Hackney Wick - Studio 9294

And mainline:
London Bridge - Omeara

Thank you! Really appreciate this

Also Deptford based promoters are running a campaign to turn the Ravensbourne Arms into a community owned lie music venue.

Details here

More local music venues in this article.