If you have never been to a concert London has got to be one of the best cities in which to cut your gig-going teeth. Any London concert, be it boy band, girl band, super group, solo act, duet or even an orchestra, any London concert has to be exciting.
In the days of the punk live music London was at the forefront of that scene, giving the world The Sex Pistols and the Clash. This was followed by the era of the new wave concert London again producing some of the greats, including Elvis Costello. In the days of New Romantic live music London gave us The Blitz Kids, a group of young people who were tired of punk and wanted to put the glamour back into music. Many of them went to play London concerts as New Romantics.
Again pivotal in the 90s, at dance gigs London ravers could expect to see top name DJs playing some of the city's coolest clubs. This was the dawning of the super club, when clubs became worldwide brands. Noughties London concerts produced many excellent performances too and we can only guess what gigs will be going on in the decades to come. It is an exciting prospect. And the great thing about gigs is, you are never too old to attend.
In London gigs, fans have a truly eclectic range of music to enjoy. Whatever your preference, you will find it among the massive choice of concerts London gig-goers have on their doorstep. The capital city has a long and colourful music tradition and this is set to continue well into future generations and beyond, despite differences in music formats. It is not only the music itself that changes, how we listen to it continually changes too.
First there were 78s, gramophone records made of heavy shellac. The earliest recording stars were captured on this format, such as soul crooners, the Platters, Ted and Julie Andrews, various singers with their orchestras and the king of rock and roll – Elvis Presley. Then we had the LP, standing for long player. This would be the format for the band that wanted to release a full album of songs. LPs are made of vinyl and this was the primary music format from 1948 up until the compact disc (CD) came along in the 1980s.
Most albums were released on CD format as music fans changed over from albums to the much neater CD. Rather than albums taking up half the floor space of the teenager's bedroom, they could buy CD towers to neatly stack their sounds. This too, has now become old-fashioned. Teenagers today simply download their music. Technology has developed sufficiently to hold our music on files on out computers. We no longer need to open a CD case and take out the disc.
Some would argue that something has been lost in the transition to the current music formats, that nothing can beat holding a tangible record or CD in the hand, studying the artwork, removing it from the sleeve or cover. But what cannot be disputed is that the appeal of music has not dwindled in the slightest. Neither has that other important musical habit – going to see gigs. And for anyone who wants to go to a gig London is an exhilarating place to do so.
For all types of music, from punk, thrash metal and rock to soul, gospel reggae and ska live music London will continue to grow and show some of the best bands in the world.
Indie, grime, dub step, r n b, urban, electro, dance, funk, techno, folk, acoustic and country are all catered for in the city that never stops. From cosy, intimate gigs to stadiums and arenas, of all the cities in which to watch a concert London is arguably the best.
