The Luminaire R.I.P.

Not so long ago The Astoria in London closed down to make way for a new railway station. It’s a shame as it was a great medium sized venue right in the centre of the city. Today I found out that The Luminarie on Kilburn High Road has closed it’s doors for the last time. Along with The Borderline it was my favourite venues to see a band play. Small, with reasonably priced beer is always better than a larger venue like The Troxy(over four quid for half a larger! Go fuck yourself) or The Sheppard’s Bush Empire (with it's low stage you must be right up the front, upstairs in the seats or over six foot five to see anymore than the bands heads). It was a place that didn’t treat it’s punters like how a J D Wetherspoon’s pub does on closing time. It was a place to go and watch a band, not a place to go and spend more time chatting with your mates. To emphasise the point they had a sign on the wall that said 'Quiet if you’re talking when the band is playing we’ll tell you to shut up.'
One of the best gigs I saw at The luminarie was from San Francisco psych rock band Comets On Fire. On records they sound like an insane sonic mess that’s somehow being held together, but even more so close up at such volume.
It’s a same that small venues like The Lumanaire struggle to stay afloat. It shall be missed.



Get Comets On Fire: Antlers of the Midnight Sun mp3 Here