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The Review - MUSIC - grooves with ROISIN GADELRAB
Published: 4 December 2008

Grooves

THE latest casualty of Crossrail’s expansion, Oxford Street’s Metro Club, has been taken by surprise by the news it must close in January.
Over the years The Killers, Kings of Leon, Bloc Party, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Kaiser Chiefs, Mika, Scissor Sisters and Robyn have all played at this truly independent venue.
In a letter to music editors this week, Blow Up Metro’s Paul Tunkins said: “Although the rumblings of Crossrail have been going on for many years it has come up far quicker than any of us could have expected.
“Ultimately it is another nail in the coffin for central London’s live music and club scene. And when you are about to be served 28 days’ notice just before Christmas you have to ask: Why not give people more time to relocate? Why destroy successful businesses when in a recession? Why the hurry?a` Where is the West End heading?”
Is he right? Where’s left in the West End for good live music? Where’s the richest area of London for good music – Shoreditch, Brixton, Camden, or somewhere else?
Metro goes out with a bang at the final Blow Up Club night on January 17. There’s a Facebook group for mourners or see blowupmetro.com for pics.

• ON December 14 and 15 the world’s biggest live music competition – Global Battle of the Bands – holds its final at The Scala in King’s Cross.
The 26 bands from across the world were chosen from 3,000 entries to compete for a $100,000 prize.
Each band will play two-song, eight-minute sets – no covers and no pre-recorded music.
To see potentially the next “world’s greatest band”, get your tickets now.

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