News

UK's First Ever 'Pop Up' Music Venue To Open In Finsbury Park

• 24th May 2010

The UK’s first ever ‘pop-up’ live music venue, The Silver Bullet, will be opening its harmonious doors at the end of May. This original and unique venue will be a one-stop-shop for music lovers and followers of the edgiest club nights that London has to offer, courtesy of high profile live acts and DJs accompanied by the cream of the crop in blossoming talent.

Originally a train that made up part of Finsbury Park’s bustling railway, followed by an eponymous inn, The Silver Bullet is now a venue that will travel across the country starting off opposite the busiest London transport hub outside Zone 1, Finsbury Park Station, where it will be stationed for the next seven months.

Perfect for those constantly hunting down the next best thing, the intimate 175 capacity venue will be the new home of cutting-edge quality music in the capital before it fires up its engine and moves down the tracks of history to its next location. The Silver Bullet is a temporary fixture on the scene and such a nomadic existence will make for a venue that never has the chance to let its moment in the spotlight wane or become routine, resulting in a consistently fresh experience for those who make the most of its temporary residence.

Tom Allerton, owner of The Silver Bullet , says: “I'm so excited about the birth of The Silver Bullet. We've been working hard to put together a top-notch calendar of music events, covering a wide variety of styles. Our music policy will hopefully bring people the eclecticism, colour & flair that can only be matched by the line-ups at some of today's best music festivals.

Nowadays, people need a place to be constantly exciting and stimulating – that is our aim. Venues too readily become old & tired, with the same old bands & promoters turning up month after month. With our pop-up existence, we won't be around long enough for people to become bored. The Silver Bullet will whizz into town and infuse the London live music scene with a short, sharp burst of new life, before disappearing again into the night.”

Award-winning interior designers DTwo Design will conceptualise a fitting atmosphere for The Silver Bullet's temporary and music-focused character. This, coupled with the location’s excellent transport links (with tube and 24 hours buses right outside the door) will make for an enviable and stress-free experience for all music addicts whether they’re popping in for a quick pint on the way home from work and want to catch a new band or for a full-blown party night.

Stephen Bass from Moshi Moshi, who have a dedicated night at the new venue says; “It’s about time Finsbury Park had a decent little venue and we are going to make the most of it over the summer and take the chance to have some of our favourite bands play on our doorstep close enough for us to stagger home afterwards. There should be a chance to get up close and personal to some of your favourite acts. Come along.”

Former events manager at Vice’s ultra-hip Old Blue Last venue in Shoreditch, Claire Brice, will be presiding over The Silver Bullet’s musical output, ably assisted by DJ, musician, socialite and promoter extraordinaire, Ronnie Joice.

Ronnie Joice, head of PR and promotions, says of the venture: “I can't wait to sink my teeth into such an exciting and tantalising project! Finsbury Park is a hub of activity that has been over-looked for too long now and I personally hope to put it back on the map when it comes to live music and awesome parties. I'm particularly galvanised that The Silver Bullet is a pop-up venue and taking from words passed onto me from the last of New York's finest club promoters, The Misshapes; “when it's good, kill it”, I think we'll give enough food for thought without ever running the risk of letting the bread go stale. I can't wait!”

Thursday nights will see live music taken to the fore, with in-house and external promoters presenting acts ranging from acoustic and folk, to electro, indie and rock, followed by DJs who will keep the party rocking well into the early hours. Friday and Saturday nights will be represented by the latest live and club nights from the North and East London scenes, making the most of the venue's 3am license.

A variety of flagship nights and music events are already in place, ensuring that the Silver Bullet will be one of the hottest venues in London. Wednesdays will see the venue play host to London's longest standing open mic night, eARmusic, where artists from Jack Penate to Ellie Goulding have taken to the mic over the last six years. Rough Trade will be showcasing a variety of their favourite artists by curating the in-house jukebox which will be updated on a monthly basis. Meanwhile Dean Chalkley, NME and world-renowned music photographer, will be hosting his very own night, Black Cat, once a month from Saturday 12th June.

The venue will be putting on a special after-party, in aid of Shelter, for the Rage Against the Machine Finsbury Park gig, featuring DJ sets from Gallows and Xfm’s Eddy Temple-Morris. Additionally, organisers of the award-winning festival, Lounge On The Farm, have picked The Silver Bullet as the location for two of their special launch parties.

From July, punters can expect a weekly pop quiz and late-night 'mini-cinema' screening, along with a regular comedy nights hosted by local golden boy Alex Zane.