North London Food & Culture

Ich Bin Kentishtowner: Andy Macleod, Promoter, Club Fandango at Bull & Gate


It’s the Bull and Gate’s final week as a live music venue and so who else could we feature than its hard-working resident promoters Club Fandango?

"Fandango: it's a Spanish dance donthchaknow"
“Fandango – it’s not just a Spanish dance don’tchaknow”: Andy Macleod explains all.

Since 2001 the thoroughly independent Club Fandango company has been at the forefront of unsigned music in London, promoting up-and-coming new bands across virtually every notable small venue in London. Set up by Andy Macleod (Pointy Records) and Simon Williams (fierce panda records), Club Fandango has become a byword for an edifying night out for bands, industry and gig-goers alike thanks to pivotal gigs by the of Arctic Monkeys, Death Cab For Cutie, Bloc Party, Coldplay, Hot Chip, Razorlight, British Sea Power, The Killers, Keane, Kaiser Chiefs and, says Andy, “other bands beginning with ‘K’, like KaitO”.

When were you happiest?
Standing outside Bull and Gate with two beers in my hand after a sold-out show.

Where would you like to live?
Kentish Town got it all innit (except a small music venue).

One more week to stand outside with two beers: the Bull and Gate
Just five more nights to stand outside with two beers
What is your favourite sound or smell?
Not sure if K-Town can really boast any nice smells unless you like the scent of piss soaked pavements. Maybe the smell of hops at Camden Brewery; and beyond NW5 the smell of a summer meadow is hard to beat.


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What is your greatest life achievement?
Winning the school obstacle race when I was 8…it’s been downhill since then.

What is your earliest memory?
Wedding Present at the Forum in 1988 (or Town and Country Club as it was then) during the George Best tour. I untied the bassist’s shoelace when he put his foot on the monitor. Exactly.

What makes you unhappy?
The turnout at some of our gigs.

What simple thing would improve your quality of life?
A new saddle for my bike that doesn’t get soaked when it rains.

What is your most unappealing habit?
Not finishing sentenc….

Warm enough for the beer garden? Junction Tavern.
Warm enough for the beer garden? Junction Tavern.
What is your guilty pleasure?
Made In Chelsea.

Where do you hang out?
Kentish Town boasts some of the best boozers in London so spoilt for choice…Bull and Gate, Lord Stanley, Southampton, Junction…

What’s your best experience in NW5?
Lots of great gigs at you know where over the years, too many to name. Discovering Dirty Burger…or that pork bap and a pint of independently-brewed ale at Southampton Arms. Oh, and visiting Kentish Town swimming pool when it reopened having gone 10 million over budget.

What is your favourite dish and why?
The one my son made with his drawing of a monkey in a tree. You had to be there.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?
Never agree to wait in for a package if they don’t specify a delivery time.

Still haven’t got yourself a ticket for the final few days? There are parties each night this week. See the full line-up here. Tickets from £8

Got a suggestion for Ich Bin Kentishtowner? Email us: info@kentishtowner.co.uk


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The award-winning print and online title Kentishtowner was founded in 2010 and is part of London Belongs To Me, a citywide network of travel guides for locals. For more info on what we write about and why, see our About section.