The Roundhouse

LupusEvolve

Love it 1st September 2008

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I've been to a few gigs at this place, and honestly, I love it.

Admittedly, sometimes there aren't always great bands playing, and then sometimes there aren't enough people and then sometimes the support bands for whoever you wanted to see are hideous sounding... but generally you don't even notice these things.

Once you find a gig you want to go to, it's very conveniently located near to the Chalk Farm tube station. Ok, above I said that sometime the support bands are bad, but on the whole the support bands are always bad. Occasionally they're alright though, so it's not all bad.

The venue itself is perfectly fine. Nothing wrong with it as far as I can see. Like I said, sometimes there aren't enough people around to count as a "crowd" but that just depends on who's playing.

The thing that really brings down the place is that there's only ever a band I like playing once every.. six months? every year? Either way, it's not often enough for my liking.

claireymr

Brilliant venue 28th August 2008

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There's been a few mixed reviews below, but in my opinion, the Roundhouse is a great venue! I've been to a gig in the main space and any worries about the venue feeling empty are completely unfounded. The sound was great, and really filled the space. But I've also been to a gig in a side room, as there are also smaller gigs going on at the weekend, showcasing up and coming bands. Although attendance was low, it's great to see a big venue helping out and encouragin new and younger bands, through these all ages gigs, and also open rehearsals during the week. Thumbs up!

Niamheen

Fantastic Venue 19th August 2008

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I'd heard alot of mixed things about the Roundhouse. Too big. Too empty. The band were lost on the stage. This was not my experience when I went to see My Bloody Valentine there recently, it seemed like the venue had been ordered especially for them. Big sounds with a gorgeous cone ceiling swallowing it all up. And they sell fresh pizza! Perfect. I am looking forward to going to another gig there sometime very soon.

qubika

Amazing Venue 12th August 2008

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I went to the Roundhouse for the first time last week to see the Jose James Quartet and Eska Mtungwazi. Both artists were fantastic, but the venue impressed me just as much.

The terrace bar is a cool place to have a pint beforehand, and the main space has so much more character than most concert venues.

Drink prices ain't cheap at £3.80 for a pint of Kronenberg (and presumably other drinks are along the same lines), but it's worth it for the place - I'll definitely be back!

Mez

Fuerzabruta at the Roundhouse theatre 20th September 2006

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Fantastic theatre. As its name suggests, it's round. I went to see Fuerzabruta there which is a show that's difficult to categorise. Sokratis' description is very comprehensive although it gives a lot of it away! One of the most invigorating, original, wild, and vivid shows you'll ever see in your life. It'll get all your senses going and more. 22nd century theatre is already here.

sokratis

Fuerza Bruta 19th September 2006

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Well while I'm on a ‘cool events at great places' theme I have to write about Fuerza Bruta at the Roundhouse. I'm afraid my writing skills want do this act justice. We need to introduce video capability for that.

Fuerza Bruta is an Argentine group of performers who, as the name suggests, have a lot of brute force stored up inside them. Where do I start and how do I describe it? Ok, here goes it. Before I start you can take a look yourselves at http://www.fuerzabruta.net

At the beginning you are ushered into this great round dark hall (that's the roundhouse more on that later) with everyone else. Everyone is standing on the same floor and you're told that you have to move around according to the ushers instructions. OK, you think this will be interesting. And it is. The opening act consists of a huge elevated treadmill and a guy that starts running until he get shot. Hmm this is interesting you think. The rest of the performers join in and keep falling on and off the treadmill, symbolising the futility and stress of modern life, which seems to a theme running across the 1.5 hours performance (that's me been artistic here, I don't know if this was indeed the directors intention)

I have to keep the review shortish to keep from getting bored so I ll list the most interesting bits.
At some point this huge sheet of what looks like foil is suspended across the perimeters of the hall (which is round). Loud electro-house starts playing and these women that are suspended start running across the ceiling and the walls seemingly floating across the room. Incredible.

The best bit is saved for last when this transparent ‘swimming pool' is lowered from the ceiling. Now this thing is about 20 square meters, contains a thin layer of water and 5 girls with bikinis and white t-shirts that start sliding across it. The pool is lowered at nearly head height so that the viewers can actually touch it before it is raised and lowered again. I can see you going Aaaahhh, trying to picture what that looks like, but I'm afraid you'll have to use your imagination or go and see those guys, as pictures were not allowed during that stage due to nudity.

More fun stuff included people suspended from a gigantic rotating disk, wrecking a mock-up office and other great performances.

And now for the place itself. The Roundhouse is a true gem. Very well architected and with a great bar overlooking Chalk Farm road. It's a real boost to the area and I thoroughly recommend it for a drink and ideally an event. Check them out here…http://www1.roundhouse.org.uk/..Imogen Heap is playing on October 31 if you re into this sort of thing.