Entertainment For Lively Minds
Anyone remember the Kashmir Klub?
The "Kash" was a big part of my life for five years. I went at least once a week, most weeks, and ended up writing reviews for their web site. It was my favourite music venue; I took friends, family and girlfriends there. And I was deeply saddened when it was forced to close. For a quick primer, go here.
In addition to the acts mentioned in Wikipedia, a lot of performers played there before anyone had heard of them. Not all of them have gone on to be household names, but they've all achieved at least a base level of national recognition. A partial list would include:
KT Tunstall
Ben Christophers
Rosie Brown
Ben & Jason
Tom Baxter
Damien Rice
Lucie Silvas
Imogen Heap
Ed Harcourt
Nerina Pallot
David Poe
Tamara Williamson
Other notable appearances were by Lewis Taylor and one of my favourite artists, Jane Siberry.
The Kash wasn't just about that: it was about the vibe, about Tony Moore's droll compering, about the fact that it was genuinely an enterprise that didn't involve money, where the next act might blow you away, whether famous or utterly unknown. The food was great, too.
I'm sure I can't be the only Word afficianado who will always have a soft spot for the Kashmir Klub
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Some alternatives...
Try Ginglik in Shepherd's Bush - their Wednesday night "Big Secret" is very similar. And Tony Moore's at The Bedford now, isn't he? And there's some stuff like that going on at the Cobden Club or there was when I lived in London a couple of years ago.
Yes! The "BIg Secret" at Ginglik...
...run by the lovely Amity Hill (nee Fletcher - daughter of Guy FLetcher and cousin of Guy Fletcher!) is indeed London's Big Secret! GREAT music and you get a guy called Galen Wainright live illustrating the songs as they're sung in charcoal sketches which are then projected on the wall. Cosmic! Possibly the best night out in London, bar none!
Never actually made it to the Kashmir but have a couple of good Alicia's Attic live tracks from there on a compilation. They also belong on the list of notables. Yes, Tony Moore's running the nights at the Bedford pub in Balham and also at the Regal Room (just round the corner from the Apollo) in Hammersmith - similar deal but with no drawing and with Tony's bonkers compering and bonkers shirts. If you can't make them in person they also do regular live webcasts...
Hmmmmm... surprised that it's me mentioning this rather than Riccardo!
Thats because
despite my somewhat lunatic gigular activity I never actually made it to the Kashmir. I do know many a frequent visitor and they all tell tales of great music filled nights there and how they miss it.
I have been to many a Wednesday night Big Secret gig at the Ginglik [more than is probably healthy for someone who lives 200 miles away from the venue] and a good time was indeed had. Tony Moore is indeed totally bonkers. Imagine just having learnt to fly and then doing a charity tour of small airfields? Top bloke!
And that's not even mentioning...
...Mr Moore's dress, erm, sense!
Mr Moore
Wasn't he also, for some brief period, in Iron Maiden? You couldn't make this stuff up.
kashmir klub
I remember it well Theo. I played there in May 2001 or 2 I think with Phil Coates as Queensville Wakes and we got a publishing deal on the strength of it. It was also the first time I met Phil's bro, Stephen 'Real Tuesday Weld' Coates and Ana Gracey with whom I have stayed in touch.
It was, as you say, a great place with a brilliant vibe largely due to the charming Mr Moore.