The Luminaire
Losing An Old Friend
It is with sadness that we have to announce the closure of The Luminaire and The King's Head on 1st January 2011. It's been a labour of love for a while now, and at this point it makes no sense for us to continue. We hope to be able to do some final farewell shows, probably in late March, and we'll let you know about those through the usual channels.
We'll continue with the newsletter until 13th December, promoting the remaining shows, then we'll leave you in peace. We've enjoyed writing them, and reading your replies.
To all of you - who supported this independent venue, and the great artists who played here, since we opened back on 1st March 2005 - you have our grateful thanks.
We were nothing without you.
Andy, John and all at The Luminaire"
Anyone on the mailing list of The Luminaire would have received this at about half past ten in the evening of Wednesday 24th November and signalled the end of another London venue. The Astoria, Astoria2 and Metro were all victim to Crossrail (and talk in the 12 Bar was that it, together with some of historic Denmark Street could go the same way), Spitz didn't fit with the refurbishment of Spitafields Market, the 100 Club has reportedly lost £100,000.00 a year for the last three years and is having to find £1,000.00 per week in business rates and, if you like your music heavy, you now have to go somewhere other than East Ham's Ruskin Arms which is now being redeveloped.
I fell in love with the Luminaire the first time I went there; the slightly scary yet strangely welcoming doorman, the arrangement of flyers and free papers at the top of the stairs, the mirror ball, the peculiar dip at the front of the stage, the fact you can stand at the side of the stage to watch the bands and the toilets decorated with band stickers.
As I was leaving the venue I saw a poster for Hayes Carll who was playing the following night. I fancied going but was already trying to whittle four possible gigs into two when a guy asked if I was going to see Hayes. I said "maybe" and he said that I should as he was very good. I explained the gig clash problem and he said that if I decided to see Hayes he would put me on the house list - it was my gig of the year.
Some months later I replied to an email asking if I would mind being added to their mailing list. I don't remember exactly what I said, but it was nice; nice enough to be given a pair of passes to any show I wanted. But, it will not be the venue I remember most, nor will it be their friendliness and it will not even be their generosity, it will be their 'mission statement' that hangs framed on the wall:
"SHUT-UP NO-ONE PAID TO LISTEN TO YOU TALKING TO YOUR PALS. IF YOU WANT TO TALK TO YOUR PALS WHEN THE BANDS ARE ON, PLEASE LEAVE THE VENUE"
If any music fan does not appreciate that sentiment I'd suggest that they are less of a music fan than they think they are.
The Jacket