MarketThe Venue (Victoria Street, London)
Company Profile

The Venue (Victoria Street, London)

The Venue was a live music club at 160–162 Victoria Street, London, England, owned by Virgin Records. It opened its doors on 1 November 1978 and operated until 1984. The first act to play there was Graham Parker and The Rumour, followed by the last live performances by Alex Harvey before his death. Todd Rundgren played some dates there just before Christmas in 1978, as part of the tour to back up the Back to the Bars album; released for the Christmas market, at the time. Two shows were sometimes played per night, and the ambience was akin to a nightclub, where audience members sat at tables and could have drinks and meals while listening to the acts. It was also popular for use by record companies showcasing new signings to the music media.

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The original sound system was supplied by Eastlake systems, it was their first foray into live sound. Soon afterwards, Dave Martin from Martin Audio, a company that designed installed and touring PA sound system of the era, replaced the Hidley system with a familiar looking stack of bass bins, mid-range units and HF loudspeakers arrayed either side of the stage. The result was loud and clean, with sound covering the audience far better than the previous rig; sound under the balcony overhang was still problematic, but more the result of poor auditorium design. The building first opened as the Metropole cinema on 27 December 1929. After The Venue closed, it was occupied by a Dicky Dirt's discount jeans shop in the mid 1980s and was a branch of the restaurant chain "Ask" prior to its demolition in early 2013 as part of a major redevelopment of the area. ==Acts that played at The Venue==
Acts that played at The Venue
(In A-Z order.) • 23 SkidooAfter the FireAl GreenAlan PriceAlan Vega (1 Jun 1982, 23 Oct 1983) • Nikki Sudden bandNina HagenNine Below ZeroNew Musik (24 March 1981) • Paul Brady (6 May 1981) • Peter Green and White Sky (16 Jan 1982) • Peter HammillPigbag (9 Dec 1981) • Q-Tips (11 Sep 1981 and 27 Mar 1982) • Queen IdaRamones (19 Nov 1981) • Richard and Linda ThompsonRick Wakeman (22 Aug 1979) • Rip Rig + Panic (9 Sept 1982) • Robert Hunter (19 June 1980) • Robyn Hitchcock (1982) • Rock GoddessRocket 88 (featuring Alexis Korner) • Rockin' DopsieRoger Chapman and the ShortlistRoman HollidayRory Gallagher (July 1979) • Roy HarperShakatakShannonShock (troupe)Sniff 'n' the Tears (10 Jun 1981) • SnipsSonic Youth (first London appearance) (1 Dec 1983) • Sonny Terry and Brownie McgheeSouthside Johnny & The Asbury Jukes (on the 1983 Trash It Up! tour) • SpiritSteve HackettSteve Harley and Cockney RebelSteve Hillage (10 Apr 1979) • Stevie Ray Vaughan (8 Sept 1983) • Sun RaSylvester and the Two Tons O' Fun (4 July 1979) • Taj MahalThe Alarm - (7 December 1981) - opening for The Fall • The Armoury ShowThe Birthday PartyThe Blow Monkeys (16 Feb 1983) - opening for Fad Gadget • The Blues BandThe CarsThe Charlie Daniels BandThe CrampsThe Fall (7 December 1981) - supported by The Alarm • The Go-Betweens (15 Sept 1983) - opening for the Smiths • The Go-Go'sThe Members (11 Apr 1981) • The Monochrome Set (5 March 1981, 26 July 1982, 2 November 1982) • The Passions (17 Oct 1981) • The Piranhas (1981) • The Polecats (4 Apr 1981) • The Pretty Things • The Rivits (featuring Jess Roden) • The RochesThe Skids (10 February 1981. Live broadcast by Capital Radio. Final live performance with the band by guitarist Stuart Adamson and drummer Mike Baillie) • The SlitsThe Smiths (15 Sept 1983) • The Sugarhill Gang (Feb 1980) • The Vapors (27 Mar 1981) • The Yachts • T34 (three times in 1982) (This is not T-34, the rock band featuring Al Murray.) • Tik and TokTina Turner (16 Dec 1983) • Tito PuenteTodd Rundgren (Dec 1978) • Tom Verlaine (9 and 10 June 1982) • Tones On TailTuxedomoonUKU2 (18 Dec 1979) • Violinski (May 1079) • Virgin Prunes (March 1981) • Wang Chung (4 Feb 1982) (as "Huang Chung") • Wilko JohnsonXTC (1980) • Yellow Magic Orchestra (16 & 24 October 1979) • Zeitgeist ==References==
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