Sad news for fans of dingy ’60s-London basement venues

Blow Up Metro

The effects of the development era are set to kick in early, as London loses one of its most unique venues – the Metro club on New Oxford Street. Defining this half of Muso’s Guide’s coming-of-age, it’s unbelievable to conceive that it won’t be there inhabiting its sly shopfront amidst the bargain basement souvenir stores (which are presumably also for the bin).

The venue – home to early gigs from Klaxons, Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Faust amongst others – will shut on January 20th, to make way for the development of London’s Crossrail network, or more specifically, the expansion of Tottenham Court Road station.

Owner Paul Tunkin had this to say: “At present we are looking for new premises to relocate the venue to but have yet to find one suitable. Ultimately it is another nail in the coffin for central London’s live music and club scene. And when you are about to be served 28 days notice just before Christmas you have to ask why not give people more time to relocate? Why destroy successful businesses when in a recession? Why the hurry? Where is the Westend heading? ”

If you’re as sad as we are, then you can always spend the last moments of 2008 weeping into your Jack Daniels and Diet Cokes at Metro’s NYE event – tickets available here.

It’s another kick in the balls to the once independent spirit that defined London’s small gig venues, a frankly disheartening sign of future times to come. But nonetheless, head down to Blow Up for as many proceeding Saturdays as you can, as your life will be a far sadder place without the fantastic mix of mod, northern soul and post-punk they shove down your ears…