Camden Barfly, the legendary London gig venue that has hosted some of the biggest names in music, is set to reopen its doors on June 22 with Frank Turner headlining the launch party.
A storied history
The iconic grassroots venue has seen performances from global superstars including Amy Winehouse, Coldplay, The Cure, Ed Sheeran, The Strokes, Adele, Sam Fender, The Killers, and My Chemical Romance. It was forced to close in 2016 due to financial pressures, but now Propaganda Independent Venues co-founders Dan Ickowitz-Seidler and Richard Buck have taken over, joined by Camden-based co-owner Chris McCormack.
Frank Turner's special connection
Frank Turner has a deep history with Barfly. In 2006, he played his first ever sold-out solo show at the 200-capacity venue, and his punk band Million Dead had their first ever show there in 2001. Turner expressed his excitement on social media, saying: "London friends, this is not a drill. The @barflycamden is a very special place for me. Million Dead’s first ever show, my first sold out show, where we recorded 'The Ballad Of Me & My Friends', and so many more wild and beautiful nights. It’s gone through some changes in recent years but I’m over the moon to say that it’s turning back into the Barfly again this summer. So of course I’ll be there for a very special launch show."
New features and vision
The revamped Barfly will feature a listening bar, a wall of fame documenting the venue's incredible history, and a newly upgraded PA system. Its return "seeks to preserve an essential part of UK culture at a time when grassroots venues face an increasingly challenging landscape."
Dan Ickowitz-Seidler commented: "Barfly means so much to us all, and we’re honoured to be starting a new chapter in its story. We'll be announcing more very special shows shortly, but Frank Turner is the perfect artist to relaunch the Barfly stage. He embodies everything Barfly stands for. I hope live music fans will come out and support not just Barfly, but grassroots venues across the country. Before so many of today's biggest artists were filling arenas and headlining festivals, they played at Barfly. You could be watching the next festival headliner on our stage on any night. Before the arenas, they were here!"
Personal connections
Chris McCormack headlined Barfly in 1997 with his band 3 Colours Red before going on to promote Camden Rocks Festival. Dan Ickowitz-Seidler celebrated his 18th birthday at the venue and performed on its stage with his own band, later promoting its Saturday club nights and DJing at Barfly's closing night in June 2016.
Launch party details
Tickets for the launch party, which are now sold out, were accessed via sign-up only and available at www.barflycamden.com.
