Shepherd’s Bush estate agents looking to target a young professional market would do well to mention the benefits of living near the Shepherd’s Bush Empire in 2010.
The historic live music venue has been entertaining Londoners since 1903 with a variety of the world’s most legendary performers from Charlie Chaplin to Kylie Minogue.
The architecturally magnificent building seats only 2000 people, making for intimate performances which allow fans to experience their favourite artists in a way totally different from bigger concert halls or stadiums. Located near the landmark Shepherd’s Bush Common, the venue is accessible by tube or car with plenty of parking nearby.
A number of killer performances scheduled for at Shepherd’s Bush Empire for 2010, here are some which are not to be missed.
• Amercican pop rockers Cobra Straship will entertain fans with their hits ‘Good Girls Go Bad’ and ‘Hot Mess’ of their latest album. Hot Mess is the band’s third and most successful album. The five piece, fronted by Gabe Saporta has toured all over, rocking out live to fans in Tokyo, Canada and on MTV Spring Break. They return to London to play at Shepherd’s Bush Empire on Wednesday 10 February.
• British pop electronica singer Imogen Heap is nominated for two categories at the upcoming Grammy Awards, which will take place on 31 January 2010. Ellipse is her third solo album, and has earned her Grammy recognition for Best Engineered Album and Best Pop Instrumental Performance for the song ‘The Fire’. Her Shepherd’s Bush performance on 19 February is already sold out.
• Looking further ahead to April, The Temper Trap will occupy the venue on 28, 29 and 30 April. Originally from Australia, the four piece is known for their atmospheric hypnotic sound and yearning vocals from front man Dougie Mandagi. The band made the BBC Sound of 2009’s list of best rising music stars. Their Sherpherd’s Bush gigs will be interesting to watch, as Mandagi told an interviewer that he feels “exposed and vulnerable” in intimate venues, and finds them much more intimidating than large arenas.
• Mexican musical duo Rodrigo y Gabriela got their big break when Damien Rice asked them to support him at Ireland’s biggest music festival, Oxegen in 2005. Before this they spent time polishing their sound in the pubs and streets of Dublin. The duo specialises in fast rhythmic acoustic guitar has released six albums to date. Tickets are still available for their Shepherd’s Bush Empire residency which is scheduled from 2 to 7 November later this year.
Right there are five brilliant reasons to make your down to Shepherd’s Bush in 2010 to witness uniquely intimate performances by superbly talented artists. Book in advance to avoid disappointment.