North London Food & Culture

Live music really is returning to the Bull & Gate

One of the founding members of Noah & The Whale plays live at the upstairs Boulogne Bar next week. Oh, and what's this about a weekly Blues night?

How civilised: indie stars and blues with cocktails to boot. Photo: PR
How civilised: indie stars and blues with cocktails to boot. Photo: PR
We thought the emphasis in the upstairs cocktail bar at Kentish Town’s refurbished iconic pub was to be on lullaby pianists and sweet soulful singers. But it seems the Bull & Gate is actually revving up their music policy.

And why not? The venue, after all, has seen the likes of Blur, Manic Street Preachers and Coldplay pass through its doors. First off in its new incarnation is Matt Owens from indie stalwarts Noah and the Whale.

Noah and the Whale in their hey day. Matt is first on the left. Photo: Creative Commons
Noah and the Whale in their heyday. Matt is first on the left. Photo: Creative Commons
He’ll be “live and unplugged” in the Boulogne Bar next Thursday 4th June, performing songs from his debut album Songs for an Empty Room, alongside some of his former bandmates too. Support is from folk troubadour Tom Figgins.

And not only that, if you’re a bit of fan of the Blues Kitchen in Camden you should hotfoot it upstairs on Tuesday nights for their new weekly Bourbon, Blues & Beer sesh (8pm till late).


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Expect husky-voiced crooners, lashings of double bass and sax, craft beer from hip north London brewery Beavertown, plus obligatory shots of Four Roses to add some southern US atmosphere. Oh, and New Orleans-inspired cocktails aplenty – if that’s your thing, and you’re not scared of a sore head on a Wednesday. (Ouch.)

389 Kentish Town Road NW5. Tickets for Matt Owens £20 and include a “Kentish Town Bees Knees” cocktail, plus cheese and charcuterie board (830pm start). To book: bullandgateevents@youngs.co.uk. Tuesday Blues night is free entry.

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