VENUE REVIEW: The Hammersmith Apollo, London

HAMMERSMITH APOLLO

45 QUEEN CAROLINE STREET, LONDON

PH: Venue 02085 633 800 / Tickets 08448 444 748

www.hammersmithapollo.net

It may be far from the sunny shores from Australia, but I also work here. Yes, I'm that lucky!

LOCATION & ACCESSABILITY

Situated under the Hammersmith fly-over and right next to Hammersmith tube The Apollo is very easy to get to and can be reached by various tube lines. It also has an 11pm curfew so you're guaranteed a tube ride home - unless you go for post-show bevvy's at The Duke around the corner, in which case it's a hell of a long night bus ride for you.

VENUE LAYOUT & BARS

I can't begin to explain the beauty and history of this venue! Opening in 1932 it is now heritage listed and has had various names in the past, beginning with the Gaumont Palace, then The Odeon and finally The Apollo. Most of the interior remains from the early days (besides the odd lick of paint here and there). Upon entering the stalls area you feel an amazing sense of grandeur as the magnificent layered roof opens above you and the huge organ pipes line the walls. That's right - an organ! The Compton Pipe Organ was installed in 1932, but due to disrepair was removed in 1992. However it was then reassembled, cleaned and re-installed in 2007 by the English Heritage Society. I haven't had the chance to see it (yet...), but hear it rises on a hydrolic platform out of the centre of the stage and sounds amazing.

Moving up a level to the Dress Circle keep an eye out for the golden faces of evil that protrude from the walls next to the toilets. For 6 months working at The Apollo I didn't notice them, then all of a sudden they were there - very strange... And I have no doubt there are lost souls floating aorund the place as there's a photo in our break room of the original staff ready for work on the opening day, and apparently the floors used to be all marble and the theatre was used as a morgue during the WW1.

The original fixtures unfortunately reach all the way down to the plumbing, so the toilets can leave a little to be desired. But these are the sacrifices you make when branding a buildig as listed as any minor repair can cost a fortune, so this will affect the state of things like plumbing and air conditioning. And do take heed, as that is one thing The Apollo doesn't have so it's bone-numbingly freezing in Winter and suffocatingly hot in Summer.

With 2 stalls bars (rock nights only), 4 foyer bars and one large circle bar there are ample places to get a drink, and you can even get a 'Saucy Hot Dog' should be hungry - and adventurous.

TICKETS & SHOWS

All tickets are sold through Ticketmaster at the number listed above or their website (www.ticketmaster.co.uk). As for entertainment, where do I start?! Historical shows include amazing talent such as The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Bob Marley, Eric Clapton in The Yardbirds, Johnny Cash, Queen, Neil Young, Springsteen, David Bowie's last ever performance as Ziggy Stardust and so many more! And it is still extremely versatile in it's wealth of entertainment, hosting everything from High School Musical and Spongebob Squarepants to Primal Scream, Mighty Boosh, Scouting For Girls, Mogwai, plus the annual 'No Sleep To Hammersmith' Motorhead show. And let's not forget the famed 'Live At The Apollo' stand up comedy series started by Jack Dee, now featuring hilarious names such as Lenny Henry, Michael McIntyre, Frankie Boyle, Daria O'Brien, Rusell Howard... Phew!

So whether it be a rock show, comedy gig, kids cartoon or musical, The Apollo is a great night out and an amazing piece of London's history. It's been enertaining this city for over 100 years - here's hoping there's many more to come.

VENUE REVIEW: The Metro Theatre, Sydney, Australia

THE METRO THEATRE

624 GEORGE ST. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
PH: (00 612) 9550 3666
http://www.metrotheatre.com.au/

I spent the best part of my life working for this venue, so admittedly this review will be bias! I worked as Assistant Venue Booker here from 20-24 years of age so I know the place inside out, and remember almost every amazing show I saw there...?

LOCATION & ACCESSIBILITY

Being smack bang in the centre of George Street in the city (opp. the cinemas) makes this venue very easy to get to. Town Hall train station is just up the road, and every bus you can imagine runs to George Street and Town Hall so you're set. I believe it's curfew is now Midnight, so alas, gone are the heady days of Fuzzy dance parties and Frisky extravaganza's, but it's being owned by the Century Venues group (who also run The Enmore Theatre and The Factory venues in Sydney) means it still pulls good shows.

VENUE LAYOUT & BARS

As for the venue itself, it is my favourite to see gig's at by far. The massive flight of stairs upon entry gives you some much needed exercise before you fill yourself with intoxicants (try climbing those buggers with a hangover!), and the chandelier in the lush, red, theatre-themed foyer (as created by designer Brian Thompson) gives it an air of cabaret; burlesque even (FYI: the chandelier is plastic).

The ill-fated 'Lair' (aka Roma Room) has had more facelift's than Michael Jackson, rendering it hard to get a feel for. But it is now a permanent film set for the MTV Live show of the same name, which is probably for the best, as it's addition to the Metro's main room was akin to sticking a one story fibro house onto the side of Buckingham Palace.

The main room (see photo at top), however, is another story altogether. This room is by far the best place to see live music in Sydney - and I'm not saying that because I always got to stand on the backstage stairs above the dance floor. The stage isn't too big and neither is the dance floor, so if you are standing on the flat you're close and can always see. The remainder of the room is large tiered steps meaning you can always see from wherever you are, providing some vertically-blessed being doesn't stand in front of you. There's even a seated balcony to the left of the room should any of you injured, golden oldies or once-gig-a-year novices need to sit down. There's air conditioning, (usually) clean toilets, space to sit, drink, dance - what more could you ask for?

There are only 2 bars - one at the back of the main room, and a larger in the foyer - but as the venue is not massive in size it's usually quite easy to get liquified. The only thing it doesn't have is food, but it is situated on a fast food freeway, so when stumbling down the stairs post-show I dare you to ignore the neon calls of McDonalds, KFC, Hungry Jacks (aka Burger King), or even Ali Baba's.

TICKETING & SHOWS

All Century venues do their own ticketing, as well as sometimes going through Ticketmaster/Ticketek, so check listings for details. You can always buy tickets from The Metro website (www.metrotheatre.com.au) or over the phone on #9550 3666. But as always, be sure to opt for the 'print tickets at home' or postal option, as the ticket collection queues are always long no matter when you arrive.

As mentioned previously the Metro used to have a 24 hour license which meant all night dance-a-thon's were always on the agenda from the likes of Fuzzy, Jam and Frisky. The license has since been cut (thank you Mr Sartor) which means it's curfew is Midnight. But even before this happened The Metro played host to some of the most amazing acts of our time, especially considering it usually picks up most of the Big Day Out festival side shows. I saw more bands and DJ's at this venue than I could ever begin to remember, but some that spring to mind are:

BILLY BRAGG, COLDPLAY, AT THE DRIVE IN, CRYSTAL METHOD, THE WHITE STRIPES, PERRY FARRELL, FOO FIGHTERS, WILCO, XZIBIT, MIDNIGHT OIL, MUDHONEY, QUEENS OF THE STONEAGE, LOU REED, RONI SIZE, LTJ BUKEM, UGLY DUCKLING, JURASSIC 5, JET, CRAZY PENIS, SHANE McGOWAN, BETH ORTON, THE DONNAS, THE STRANGLERS, and so many more you wouldn't believe..

Needless to say The Metro is not only situated in, but IS the heart of music in the city of Sydney. It has had a rough trot in the past, getting caught up in corporate fumblings, administrators, bad management and clueless contractors. But none of these things will ever change the amazing memories and experiences the people of Sydney have had within it's walls. I guarantee most Sydney-siders have seen a show here, and I guarantee they all had a great time.

I can also guarantee that one day this venue will be taken back by those who truley own it and return it to it's former glory...