‘Camden isn’t somewhere you’d take your grandma’

ABC’s Martin Fry

Camden is: the epicentre of rock ’n roll, the spiritual home of songwriters the world over, and probably the best place to have fun in London. My top three nights out in Camden include Earl Brutus live at the Dublin Castle, Norman Jay at High on Hope at Dingwalls in 1988, and the opening night of the Camden Palace back in 1982. There’s a potential audience on every street corner, which is why performers and extroverts and day dreamers flock to the area daily. Camden isn’t: near the sea.
ABC play KOKO, Friday

Jeffrey Lewis

Camden is: the London equivalent to St. Mark’s Place in New York City, colourful, punky and touristy, with a hippie history and usually some buskers. But it’s way larger than the mere three blocks.
Camden isn’t: St. Mark’s Place! You can’t find an egg cream in Camden. And the back cover photo on the first New York Dolls LP wasn’t shot there. And neither the Velvet Underground nor the Fugs used to play there. So St. Mark’s Place maybe has more cool history, but less cool stuff in the present, compared to Camden. Jeffrey Lewis plays Camden Brewery and the Ballroom on Sat

Atari Teenage Riot

Camden is: an ever changing melting pot of London art/culture/music/fashion with its
history and soul intact.

Camden isn’t: like anywhere else I’ve been in the world.
ATR play Electric Ballroom Friday 20

Thumpers

Camden is: chock full of 90s Blur hangout landmarks – crying out for a guided tour.

Camden isn’t: afraid in any way to let jumbo, heavy-looking ornaments hang precariously over its shop entrances.
Thumpers play the Brewery Friday

Johnny Foreigner

Camden is: a big weird melty timespace intersection where the tragic cultural hardware of the britpop era is polished and souvenir’d under the traditional gaze of confused tourists and bemused teens.

Camden isn’t: good for parking.
JF play the Underworld Saturday

Rainer

Camden is: like a crazy old uncle you don’t really want to hang around at first, but stick it out and he can get very entertaining…

Camden isn’t: somewhere you would take your grandma.
Rainer play the Beatrice on Saturday

And finally, some top tips from Chief Crawler Lisa Paulon

CC14 DOs

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• Remember the fringe: arrive at the crack of dawn and limber up to comedy, quizzes and other leftfield events.
• Pace yourself. A toe-rubbing twelve hours of live music and pogo-ing lies in wait.
• Talk to strangers: be adventurous and take music recommendations from people you’ve just met – or shared a rollie with.
• Spread yourself thinly: bounce around as many venues as possible.
• Do your homework: swot up on as many artists and events on the website and download the free apps and compilation album.
• Go alfresco: find the secret outdoor stage at Camden Town Brewery for some of the best live acts in glorious sunshine.
• Brush up on your social media skills: Instagram and Twitter are a massive part of not missing out on the best bits.

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CC14 DON’Ts

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• Be seduced by a long queue: unless you like to linger in line – and listen to your fave act from afar
• Be fooled by cheap street food when looking for something to line the stomach in the early evening…use our guide to the best, out tomorrow
• Wear brand new or high heel shoes – and then moan about it later
• Get too comfy in the pub chatting to your mate…a few rounds later and half the day will have flown by
• Bring a tent – it’s not that kind of festival. And the leafy banks of the canal are no place to spend the night. If you’ve got a boat, however…

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