Yahoo News Village Underground: Everything you need to know about the east London club
Even if you don’t know Village Underground, you probably know about the Tube trains.
Sat atop an old Victorian warehouse in Shoreditch, four converted Jubilee line carriages sit next to two refurbished shipping containers. They were hoisted up there in 2006 and turned into co-working spaces, and quickly became a new landmark of the area — especially once the Instagram generation caught wind a few years later.
But beneath them, in that warehouse, is something even better: one of the finest music venues in east London. In the 12 years since it opened, Village Underground has forged a reputation for cutting edge programming, across both its live gigs and club nights.
It’s the kind of place that creates an atmosphere before the music even starts. It’s a peculiarly intriguing space — one huge brick wall, a sloping roof that looms high above with two gloomy railway arches over on the opposite side. Dark, heavily driven music finds a comfortable home here, but sounds on the brighter end of the spectrum fit surprisingly well, thanks in part to the venue’s excellent lighting.
This is the GO Clubbing guide to Village Underground.
Vital statistics
Where is it? 54 Holywell Lane, EC2A 3PQ
What’s the capacity? 700
When did it open? April 2007
What’s the music like?
Really varied. It’s the type of club that doesn’t pride itself on one particular genre, but rather on drawing in a colourful selection of styles. There is a fair bit of techno, but the next night you could hear some hip-hop, dancehall, UK garage, or something else entirely.
Who plays there?
There are often eye-catching number heavyweight DJs playing here — Jon Hopkins, Seth Troxler, Oscar Mulero, Skream and even Diplo have all passed through in recent times. It’s also a good place to see promising young artists, especially those from the London scene.
Be sure to catch one of the regular Channel One nights, too. The Notting Hill Carnival stalwarts take their legendary sound system over to east London once every month or so, and it’s always a blast.
How expensive are tickets?
Village Underground can be quite expensive by London standards, with many of the more high-profile events offering early bird tickets for £15, heading up towards £25 and beyond by the time the last release comes around.
However, there are a number of cheaper events — usually the regular nights that are known for their promoter rather than the big-name artists on the bill — which usually start at around £7 for a ticket.
How late does it stay open?
It varies. At the latest, the nights will run on until 6am in the morning, and many events make the most of this curfew. However, a fair few of the parties here call it a night at around 4am.
How good is the sound system?
Very good. For such a large, airy space, the sound system copes well and proves it versatility by coping with the various genres played through it, whether that’s from a live band or a DJ.
What should I wear?
The dress code is pretty relaxed, although the club will turn you away if you’re “dressed in business attire or fancy dress (unless it is a themed event)”. Also, “open-toed footwear is not allowed due to health and safety reasons”. You have been warned.
Is there a cloakroom?
Yes, it’s £2 per item.
How do I get there?
Shoreditch High Street on the Overground is the nearest station, only a few minutes’ walk away. It’s on the the Night Tube branch of the line, too, meaning there are 24-hour services up to Highbury and Islington and south as far as New Cross Gate.
The nearest Tube station is Old Street on the Northern line, although be warned this branch of the line is not on the Night Tube. For underground services in the early hours, your best bet is to walk 10 minutes south to Liverpool Street and hop onto the Central Line.
