Mean Fiddler
Encyclopedia
The Astoria 2, subsequently known as the LA2 then the Mean Fiddler, was a nightclub
at 165 Charing Cross Road
in London
, England
.
The venue was connected to the London Astoria
such that the two venues could function as a single venue where needed. Like the Astoria, the venue was used for live music as well as night club promotions.
A venue also called Mean Fiddler was previously set up in Harlesden
, north west London in 1982.
In June 2006, the Mean Fiddler was sold — together with the London Astoria — to property group Derwent Valley Central, who planned to convert the site into a combination of shops and offices.
In January 2009, the property was compulsorily purchased
for Crossrail
. Astoria 2 had a closing party, headlined by rock band Open The Skies, with support from Outcry Fire, F.A.T.E and Orakai. The final club night PUSH was held the following day on 15 January 2009, with Cajun Dance Party
and Good Shoes
being the very last acts to play at Astoria 2. The entire venue has now been demolished.
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
at 165 Charing Cross Road
Charing Cross Road
Charing Cross Road is a street in central London running immediately north of St Martin-in-the-Fields to St Giles Circus and then becomes Tottenham Court Road...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
.
The venue was connected to the London Astoria
London Astoria
The London Astoria was a music venue, located at 157 Charing Cross Road, in London, England. It had been leased and run by Festival Republic since 2000. It was closed on 15 January 2009 and has since been demolished...
such that the two venues could function as a single venue where needed. Like the Astoria, the venue was used for live music as well as night club promotions.
A venue also called Mean Fiddler was previously set up in Harlesden
Harlesden
Harlesden is an area in the London Borough of Brent, northwest London, UK. Its main focal point is the Jubilee Clock which commemorates Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee....
, north west London in 1982.
In June 2006, the Mean Fiddler was sold — together with the London Astoria — to property group Derwent Valley Central, who planned to convert the site into a combination of shops and offices.
In January 2009, the property was compulsorily purchased
Eminent domain
Eminent domain , compulsory purchase , resumption/compulsory acquisition , or expropriation is an action of the state to seize a citizen's private property, expropriate property, or seize a citizen's rights in property with due monetary compensation, but without the owner's consent...
for Crossrail
Crossrail
Crossrail is a project to build a major new railway link under central London. The name refers to the first of two routes which are the responsibility of Crossrail Ltd. It is based on an entirely new east-west tunnel with a central section from to Liverpool Street station...
. Astoria 2 had a closing party, headlined by rock band Open The Skies, with support from Outcry Fire, F.A.T.E and Orakai. The final club night PUSH was held the following day on 15 January 2009, with Cajun Dance Party
Cajun Dance Party
Cajun Dance Party were a five-piece band based in London, England. They originally consisted of Robbie Stern, Max Bloom, Daniel Blumberg, Will Vignoles, and Vicky Freund. The band has split after Blumberg and Bloom left the band in 2009 to form the band Yuck, while other members of the band went to...
and Good Shoes
Good Shoes
Good Shoes are a four-piece English indie pop band, hailing from Morden, London.-Biography:Good Shoes was formed by lead singer Rhys Jones and guitarist Steve Leach who often wrote and played music together as a hobby. Rhys and Steve appeared as a two piece under the Good Shoes name for a friend's...
being the very last acts to play at Astoria 2. The entire venue has now been demolished.
Recordings
- Against Me!Against Me!Against Me! is an American punk rock band formed in 1997 in Naples, Florida and relocated to Gainesville, Florida in 1999. Their first full-length album, released on No Idea Records in 2002, was Against Me! Is Reinventing Axl Rose. They have released music on Misanthrope Records, Crasshole Records,...
recorded their live album Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live in London!!!Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live in London!!!Americans Abroad!!! Against Me!!! Live in London!!! is Against Me!'s first live album, released on Fat Wreck Chords even though the band was signed to Sire Records at the time. It was recorded on March 21, 2006 at the Mean Fiddler venue in London, England...
at the venue on 21 March 2006. - Enter ShikariEnter ShikariEnter Shikari are a British band, that combine post-hardcore with elements of various electronic genres, formed in 2003 in St Albans, Hertfordshire. The band is named after a boat belonging to Roughton "Rou" Reynolds' uncle, and a character in a play which he wrote before forming the band, both of...
recorded their three shows at the venue on 2, 3 and 4 November 2008. The DVD was released with a special edition of their second album Common DreadsCommon DreadsCommon Dreads is the second studio album by Enter Shikari released on June 15, 2009 and June 16 in the US. Recording of the album began in September 2008 and ended in late February 2009. The album was produced and mixed by Andy Gray at Arreton Manor...
. - RazorlightRazorlightRazorlight are a UK based indie rock band formed in 2002. They are primarily known in the UK, having topped the charts with the 2006 single "America" and its parent self-titled album, their second...
recorded 6 tracks at the FROG clubnight in 2004, which was released as a bonus DVD to their debut album, Up All NightUp All Night (Razorlight album)Up All Night is the debut album by English indie rock band Razorlight, first released in June 2004. The album reached #3 in the UK Albums Chart upon initial release...
.