FREE in-store gigs at Rough Trade Shops
With upcoming free events the likes of Everything Everything, Sarah Blasko, Dylan LeBlanc and Violens, Rough Trade Record Shops are an alternative/indie music-lover’s dream come true. Held at either one of their East or West London venues, all you usually need to do to attend these events is pick up a wristband at the Brick Lane store prior to the event! In the words of the TV meerkat, simples!
Rough Trade was established in 1978 and has become a London institution – the label, the record stores and the general niche music subculture expertise available at their stores and on their website have won them a Music Week award for their “unique contribution to the British Music Industry”. I know sometimes record stores can seem daunting, with their High Fidelity pomposity, music elitism and genre snobbery, but Rough Trade somehow transcends the stereotype with a vibrant and friendly atmosphere and welcoming, informative staff.
In any case free music (a screening of a Banksy short film is coming up, too!) is always welcome, in my books. Read the details of each event before going to collect your wristband, as sometimes album purchase is required (though they usually have a bunch of free wristbands to give out an hour before the gig starts). Sometimes no wristband is required at all – you just rock up and, erm, rock out.
Free, Rough Trade East: ‘Dray Walk’, Old Truman Brewery, 91 Brick Lane, London, E1 6QL (map); Rough Trade West: 130 Talbot Road, London, W11 1JA (map) website.
cc photo credit: Spen H
Categories: Cheap things to do
