First look inside venue where iconic singers got their start relaunching after 10 years

The venue where some of the biggest names in the music industry launched their careers is reopening today after 10 years.

The Barfly, played by the likes of Ed Sheeran, Adele and Amy Winehouse, is relaunching in a boost to London’s nightlife.

With the building just a 10-minute walk away from the heart of Camden Market – with its gift shops and goths you can pay £10 to take a picture with – it feels like one of the last true music institutions in an area so steeped in cultural history.

And it was not just home to visiting acts. It was known as the stage to debut new singers and music to a lively crowd, with agents tucked away in the corner.

The Strokes, Coldplay and The Killers played some of their earliest London shows here.

Much to the delight of music fans, the venue is being brought back under its original Barfly name, and Metro has been given an exclusive look around at the building as it prepares for its launch.

Dan Ickowitz-Seidler, who is relaunching the venue, said: ‘I went to my first gig here, I had my 18th birthday party here, I have even DJed here.

‘It’s such a full circle moment to be bringing it back.’

‘I hated walking past it, seeing that it was no longer Barfly’

The venue has been quiet over the last 10 years, having lost its identity as one of the city’s main grassroots venues.

It was sold and became the Camden Assembly, where live music and gigs were still put on. Yungblud, Olivia Dean and the Last Dinner Party have all played there – but without the legendary Barfly name.

Be Rozzo, one of the founders, says he is ‘absolutely delighted’ that the venue is coming back under its original moniker.

He said: ‘This place was very much my life at one point. My flat was literally metres away, and I was always on hand when help was needed.

‘So when I walked past it and saw it wasn’t running as Barfly, it was quite sad really.’

He has been consulted on many of the decisions involved in bringing the venue back in a bid to capture what made this place so iconic in the first place.

‘I played my best shows here’

Chris McCormack, guitarist for 3 Colours Red, played at Barfly ‘more times than he can count’ during his music career.

He said the venue was home to his favourite shows, as the packed, lively room, which can fit around 220 people, offered sound quality most often seen on more high-brow stages.

And it was here he was signed by an agent standing on the staircase.

He told Metro: ‘It was one of those things where he asked to sign me. I said a ridiculously high price as a joke, and he agreed.’

‘This place holds so many happy memories for me, I can’t wait to play here again.’

A sneak peek backstage

Metro was also shown around the backstage dressing rooms where artists would get ready before shows.

Climbing up three flights of stairs lit up with red lights, the room suddenly becomes bright.

Singers including Adele and Amy Winehouse have all sat back and relaxed in these hallowed rooms, now modernised with a flatscreen TV and a mini snooker table.

Frank Turner will be taking to the stage tonight to officially reopen the venue. Upcoming shows include Violet Grohl, daughter of legendary Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl, in September.

Dan said: ‘Barfly means so much to us all, and we’re honoured to be starting a new chapter in its story.

‘We’ll be announcing more very special shows shortly, but Frank Turner is the perfect artist to relaunch the Barfly stage. He embodies everything Barfly stands for.’

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