Wembley Stadium, with a seated capacity of 90,000, is the largest music venue in the United Kingdom. Since being rebuilt (completed in 2007), the stadium has been played by some of the biggest guitarists in the music industry. Muse were the first band to sell out the stadium since its reopening, with the likes of Foo Fighters, AC/DC and Oasis also gracing the stage. It offers performances like no other, with The Killers showing their appreciation for this great venue by penning the appropriately titled ‘The Wembley Song’, which was played at the stadium to their largest sold out concert. The stadium also hosts charity concerts such as Live Earth, and has hosted Capital FM’s Summertime Ball since 2010. Based in Wembley, HA9 0WS, the venue is easily accessible by tube (Jubilee, Metropolitan and Bakerloo lines), overground and bus, leaving no excuse to miss out on an unforgettable music experience.
The O2 is located on the Greenwich Peninsula in South East London, SE10 0BB, just a short walk from North Greenwich tube station (on the Jubilee line). Previously the Millennium Dome, it opened as an entertainment venue in 2007, with a concert from Bon Jovi. Although smaller than Wembley Stadium with a capacity of 20,000, the O2 is the busiest in arena in the world, despite only being the second largest in Europe. The arena was purpose built to reduce the common problem of echoing (with the help of U2’s sound manager working with acoustic engineers!), which is one of the many reasons why the venue is such a great and popular destination. In 2010 it won London’s Live Music Venue of the Year. It certainly attracts the biggest names in music, with Pink Floyd’s Roger Waters and guitarist David Gilmour reuniting and playing together there for the first time since the band’s breakup in 2011.
O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire offers a more intimate venue, with a capacity of just 2,000. Despite being smaller than the famous O2 Arena and Wembley Stadium, it has won the Music Week Award’s ‘Best Venue’ prize five times. It also still manages to attract some big names to its stage, with The Rolling Stones having performed there in 1999, and Meghan Trainor scheduled to perform in 2015. However, it also offers the chance to see lessor known artists, such as Wolf Alice and guitarist James Bay. Located on Shepherd’s Bush Green, W12 8TT, this cosy venue is easily accessible from Shepherd’s Bush tube station (Central and Hammersmith & City Line), making it a must for any budding music fan who wants to get up close and personal to their favourite guitarists.
Union Chapel was voted London’s Best Live Music Venue in 2012 and London’s Favourite Music Venue in 2014. As a Grade I-listed church, it offers a unique alternative to traditional music venues in London. With a recently restored world-class organ, the church regularly puts on organ recitals (often for free, so make sure to check it out!). Every fortnight the church hosts The Sunday Sessions, making it the place to be if you want to hear some of London’s finest acoustic guitarists. With a wide range of alternative events, such as performances by the folk group ‘Feast of Fiddles’, this venue is a must for anyone looking for some inspiration for their own guitar playing. Just make sure you get there early because seating is unreserved! The Union Chapel is located at Compton Terrace, N1 2UN, less than five minutes from Highbury & Islington tube station (Victoria line).
