The Borderline: A Retrospective In Words & Photography

by | May 16, 2019

It was with great sadness that we recently learned the Borderline, a mainstay of the live music scene in central London, will permanently close its doors this summer. It seems that spiralling Soho ground rents coupled with the seemingly never ending disruption caused by the wholesale redevelopment of the Tottenham Court Road area (plus Crossrail, when it eventually arrives) has finally taken its toll on this iconic and historic live music institution.

Mollie Marriott live @ The Borderline, London, 1st June 2017 (Edyta Krzesak)

Mollie Marriott live at the Borderline (Edyta Krzesak)

The Borderline closure will see it join other Soho venues such as Madame JoJo’sThe Astoria and The Marquee as a relic of the past and will leave Oxford Street’s 100 Club as practically the only small central London venue with any claim to history. This is perfect for people who don’t think there are enough shops and offices in the West End and for people who prefer their new music talent to be honed by Simon Cowell via banal Saturday evening light entertainment programmes. For the rest of us, it’s very depressing news.

Jon Stevens live @ Borderline (Edyta Krzesak)

Jon Stevens live at the Borderline (Edyta Krzesak)

The list of artists who made the Borderline their home before they became ubiquitous in the public conscience is a roll call of rock and pop royalty. Opening its doors for regular live music in the mid 1980s, the last thirty-five years has seen amongst others: Texas, Debbie Harry, The La’s, Blur, The Lightning Seeds, Kula Shaker, R.E.M., The Verve, Counting Crows, ZZ Top, Feeder, Squeeze, Crowded House, Stereophonics, Muse, P J Harvey, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Buckley, Belle & Sebastian, Bloc PartyThe CribsRazorlightMumford & SonsThe WombatsRyan AdamsFrank TurnerAmy WinehouseThe 1975Scouting For Girls and Catfish & The Bottlemen grace the Borderline’s cramped subterranean sweatbox of a stage.

The Temperance Movement performing at The Borderline, London on 20 November 2017 (Simon Reed)

The Temperance Movement live at the Borderline (Simon Reed)

As RockShot Mag likes to champion new music as well as established artists, our writers and photographers have practically made the Borderline their second home in recent years and here follows a selection of photographs from some of our favourite nights out.

For many years the backdrop had been a simple red velour curtain and the lighting was often sparse. Strip lights above the curtain served up blue washes of colour. If you were lucky, you got a white spotlight. If you weren’t, the talent took on the appearance of performing blueberries.

The Larry Miller Band performing at The Borderline ondon on 8 May 2015 (Simon Reed/RockShot)

The Larry Miller Band (Simon Reed)

M O T H X R at The Borderline, 23/11/2015 (Thanira Rates Photograpy)

M O T H X R (Thanira Rates)

Joseph Arthur at The Borderline, London, Sunday 17th April 2016. (Edyta K)

Joseph Arthur (Edyta Krzesak)

Heartless Bastards performing live at their sell-out gig at The Borderline, London on 01 September 2015 (Simon Reed/RockShot)

Heartless Bastards (Simon Reed)

The Fratellis (Simon Reed)

One enduring feature of the Borderline and a top landing spot for urban band portraits was the backstage ‘autograph alley’ graffiti corridor. These walls contain many famous (and ultimately not so famous) names.

Aaron Keylock Band (Al Stuart)

In 2016 the venue was purchased by DHP Family (festival curators, national tour promoters and the name behind other legendary venues such as Rock City in Nottingham and Thekla in Bristol). A major investment was made in the Borderline, resulting in a period of closure whilst significant refurbishment works were carried out. The result was a space that had more of a night club feel than the dive rock venue it replaced. Many felt that the spirit of the place had been lost, but whilst upgrading the lighting and sound systems made for a less nostalgic live music experience, it arguably became a more dynamic one.

William The Conqueror opening for Matt Andersen Live at The Borderline, 25th May 2017 (Edyta Krzesak)

William The Conqueror (Edyta Krzesak)

The Sheepdogs performing at The Borderline, London on 5 November 2018 (Simon Reed)

The Sheepdogs (Simon Reed)

Matt Andersen Live at The Borderline, 25th May 2017 (Edyta Krzesak)

Matt Andersen (Edyta Krzesak)

Seb Byford of Naked Six: Jump shot during their support to The Temperance Movement at The Borderline, London 20 November 2017 (Simon Reed)

Naked Six (Simon Reed)

The Temperance Movement performing at The Borderline, London on 20 November 2017 (Simon Reed)

Paul Sayer (Simon Reed)

Saint Leonard's Horses @ The Borderline - London 03/05/2017 (Edyta K)

Saint Leonard’s Horses (Edyta Krzesak)

One feature of the refurbishment was a disorientating corridor that led to the toilets, which was equipped with concentric lighting . This was soon nicknamed the ‘toilet tunnel’ and became a new rich vein for interesting band portraiture.

RIVRS (Katie Frost)

Managing director of DHP Family, George Akins said of the Borderline closure: “This has been a difficult decision, but given intentions by the landlord to increase the rent significantly for a second time since we took it over in 2016 as well as plans to redevelop the building housing the Borderline, we now know the venue doesn’t have a long term future so it makes no sense for us to continue to invest.

“We’ve had an amazing two years at Borderline with some fantastic shows and want to thank everyone for their support from agents, promoters and artists to all the thousands who have come to the gigs and club nights. We’ve put our all into trying to revive this iconic venue but unfortunately, it has been impossible to turn into a sustainable operation due to so many external factors. This is a sad day for all of us who love live music and believe in grassroots venues.”

“DHP is still committed to creating and running the best grassroots music venues in the country. However I don’t see how it is possible in the West End when faced with all the difficulties from business rates, increasing rents and licensing pressure.”

The Borderline 1985 – 2019 RIP (Nils van der Linden)

DHP Family have retained the Borderline name and it is possible that they may find another location for the venue, but sadly yet another major slice of London’s live music heritage and history will soon be lost for good.

Wyatt Flores @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

Wyatt Flores Brings Honest Heart And Sharp Style To London’s Roundhouse

On a crisp October night at London’s Roundhouse, Wyatt Flores stepped onto the stage to a roaring crowd, his name echoing around the vaulted room with a force that surprised even him. Supporting 49 Winchester on their UK run, the Oklahoma-born singer-songwriter might technically have been the opener, but from the reaction that greeted him, it was clear many had come just as much for Wyatt.

49 Winchester @ Roundhouse (Henry Finnegan / @finneganfoto)

From Russell County To Camden Town: 49 Winchester’s Triumphant Roundhouse Performance

Virginia’s 49 Winchester transformed Camden’s Roundhouse into a celebration of straight-from-the-heart Americana. Early in the set, frontman Isaac Gibson acknowledged to the audience that this was the band’s first sold-out night on the tour and the response from the crowd made clear how much the moment meant to everyone in the room.

Echobelly @ Electric Ballroom (Kalpesh Patel)

Echobelly Bring ON To Life At The Electric Ballroom – A Triumphant Celebration Of Britpop’s Enduring Spirit

It’s been three decades since Echobelly released ON, the Britpop-era gem that cemented them as one of the most vital and distinctive voices of the mid-90s. On Thursday night at London’s Electric Ballroom, the band — fronted by the magnetic Sonya Madan and founding guitarist Glenn Johansson — returned to Camden to celebrate that legacy, playing the album in full to a sold-out crowd that sang, swayed, and grinned their way through one of the most joyous nostalgia trips of the year.

The Kooks @ The O2 (Kalpesh Patel)

Not Naïve – The Kooks Are Always Where They Need To Be At London’s O2 Arena

Brighton Indie Pop darlings The Kooks played quite possibly the biggest and best show of their 20 year career at The O2 Arena on Saturday night. A night of nostalgia, of celebration and of cementing themselves as one of the best British bands formed in the 21st century.

Jordan Pundik of New Found Glory @ O2 Academy Birmingham (Nick Allan)

New Found Glory Never Miss, Only Hit At O2 Academy Birmingham

There’s something about a New Found Glory show that feels like coming home. No matter how many years have passed or how much life has changed, when those opening chords hit, you’re right back where it all started — shouting lyrics with your friends, sweaty, smiling, and completely lost in the moment.

Remember Monday @ Latitude Festival 2025 (Kalpesh Patel)

Remember Monday Return With New Single ‘More Than Ever’ Ahead Of Headline UK Tour

Country-pop trio Remember Monday continue their breakout year with the release of their new single More Than Ever, co-written with GRAMMY® winner and chart-topping artist Cian Ducrot. The track arrives just as the band kick off their highly anticipated What The Hell Just Happened? UK and Ireland headline tour, which culminates at London’s iconic O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire.

Davina Michelle (Press)

Davina Michelle Launches Empowering New Era With ‘What A Woman’

Dutch pop sensation Davina Michelle has released her brand-new single What A Woman, an empowering anthem that celebrates the strength, intelligence, and individuality of women everywhere. The track arrives alongside a striking new music video, introducing a bold new chapter for one of the Netherlands’ most successful modern pop artists.

Ash @ Scala (Kalpesh Patel)

Ash Share Video for ‘Ad Astra’ Featuring Graham Coxon

Northern Irish alt-rock stalwarts Ash have shared the video for their latest single Ad Astra, featuring Blur’s Graham Coxon, taken from their brand-new album of the same name — out now on Fierce Panda Records.

Pin It on Pinterest

Share This

Share Thing