London Pop and Rock

The Troubadour Cafe 263-267 Old Brompton Rd. (020 7370 1434; www.troubadour.co.uk ) Many famous acts have graced the Troubadour's small stage since its founding in 1954. Its hanging string lights and stage lights illuminated Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Joni Mitchell, and pictures of some of these artists are plastered into the tops of the tables. To this day, The Troubadour is a community of aspiring and acclaimed artists bound by great music, good drinks, and the intoxicating atmosphere of artistic promise. Come here to see some of the city's most exciting acts before they break. Gloucester Rd. Turn right onto Gloucester Rd., then turn right onto Old Brompton Rd. Most nights feature several bands. Every other M poetry night. Cover is cash only.Open M-W 8pm-midnight, Th-Sa 8pm-2am, Su 8pm-midnight. Happy hour Tu-Su 8-9pm. No wheelchair access.

Koko, 1a Camden High St. ( 087 0432 5527 ; www.koko.uk.com ) Koko's lodgings are not typical of a rock and roll venue. Originally a theater, then a cinema, then one of the first BBC radio broadcasting locations, and then the famous Camden Palace Nightclub, Koko holds all its 110 years of history within its beautiful red walls and its gilded, curved wrought-iron fences guarding the balconies from which music-lovers can look down to the stage. Bringing in mostly big-name indie acts, but also some celebs in pop and rock (they've had everyone from Madonna to the Hold Steady and Andre Bird; James Blunt, Kanye West and Usher to Devendra Banhart and Justice), Koko is one of the premier venues in London. Mornington Crescent. Right onto Hampstead Rd. It’s to your right. Cash only for in-person purchases. Tickets sold through various outlets online. Indie night (indie music and dancing) F 9:30pm-4am. Credit card min. £10. Concert tickets £10-30. Beer £3.50-4. Mixed drinks £4. For indie night, the first 100 people get in free. Cover: students £5 up to midnight, students £7 after midnight. Non-students £7. Box office open noon-5pm on gig days. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Borderline, Orange Yd. 16 Manette St. (084 4847 2465; www.venues.meanfiddler.com/borderline) A simple venue that, despite its lack of the outlandish Art Deco, theatrical trappings of other similar London concert halls, oozes the spirit of rock and roll from every beer-soaked wall and ear-blowing speaker. Often, big name artists will play the Borderline when starting solo careers. Townes Van Zandt played his last show at the Borderline, Eddie Vedder, Jeff Buckley, and Rilo Kiley have played there, and Spinal Tap played the Borderline right after the movie came out. The amps go to eleven, the music's piping hot, and the location is prime. Tottenham Court Road. Right on Charing Cross. Club nights W-Sa 11pm-3am. Tickets £6-20. Pints £3.40. Doors open for shows daily 7pm. Tickets available at the Jazz Cafe box office M-Sa 10:30am-5:30pm. Takes credit cards. No wheelchair access.

HMV Apollo, 15 Queen Caroline St. ( 020 8563 3800; ">www.hmvapollo.com'> www.hmvapollo.com) Like many of the big, architecturally stunning venues in London, the Art Deco HMV Apollo was originally a cinema. It was formerly known as the Hammersmith Odeon and hosted Bruce Springsteen in his 1975 Hammersmith Odeon film (he would go on to play there four times). It has hosted huge acts like Oasis, R.E.M, Elton John, the Rolling Stones, and even The Beatles once. Hammersmith. Opposite the Broadway Shopping Centre. Call in advance about wheelchair accessibility. Call Tickets depend on the event, check online. Box office open 4pm-start of the show on performance days. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

02 Academy Brixton 211 Stockwell Rd. (020 7771 3000) Home to Europe's largest fixed stage, the 02 Academy Brixton's set list is rife with the big names of our generation. Past acts include MGMT, Echo and the Bunnymen, Plan B, Pavement, LCD Soundsystem, and the Gaslight Anthem. They also occasionally have club nights (which aren't on a fixed schedule, so check the website). Brixton. Right onto Brixton Rd., then left onto Stockwell Rd. The area can be a bit rough, so you may want to take a cab. The area can be a bit rough, so you may want to take a cab. Bars are cash only. Call in advance for wheelchair accessibility. Ticket prices vary, most £20-35. Pints £4. Box office opens 2hr. before doors on gig nights. Wheelchair access.

HMV Forum, 9-17 Highgate Rd. ( 020 7428 4099; www.kentishtownforum.com) One of the most famous venues in London, the HMV Forum gets some of the most famous acts to come to town. The 75-year-old theater has hosted N.E.R.D., Slayer, Limp Bizkit, Wolf Parade, and the Decemberists on its massive stage. The hall holds 2350 people, and is just right for a big show. Kentish Town. Right onto Kentish Town Rd., then left onto Highgate Rd. Cash machine. Gigs are 14+. Tickets £10-60. Pints £4. Box office open on show days 5-9pm. Doors open 7pm. Does not take credit cards. Wheelchair access.

02 Empire, Shepherd's Bush Green ( 020 8354 3300; www.02shepherdsbushempire.co.uk) A popular space hosting large rock acts, the 02 Empire is one of the big names on the London music scene. With a classic feel greatly augmented by the bold stonework and old-fashioned hand-placed letters on the awning out front, the Empire hearkens to the heyday of rock and roll. Shepherd’s Bush. Right onto Uxbridge Rd. then left at the end of Shepherd’s Bush Green. Call 084 4477 2000 for tickets. Box office open on show days 4-6pm and 6:30-9:30pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.

Hammersmith Irish Cultural Centre, Blacks Rd. (020 8563 8232; ">www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk'> www.irishculturalcentre.co.uk) Located on a quiet, unassuming street in Hammersmith, the Irish Cultural Centre is shockingly full of life within. Families—both Irish and otherwise—congregate in the main room before consulting reception and going to different parts of the building to participate in such varied events as clog lessons, concerts from Irish folk artists, book readings, free jams (participation encouraged), film screenings, and storytelling. Check the website for details on prices and events, but come prepared with a love for the Emerald Isle. Hammersmith. Black’s Rd. is just off of Queen Caroline St. near where it intersects with Beadon Rd. Monthly movie screening £1.50. "The Session" (Irish jam) Th 6-8pm. Movies are shown the 1st Th of every month. Hours vary. Box office open M-F 9am-1pm. If something is happening in the afternoon, box office open 1-3pm. Takes credit cards. Wheelchair access.