Around the UK in 80 Venues: The Borderline

Posted on Jul 30th 2009 12:30AM by Stephen Dowling
Comments

Location: Orange Yard, Manette St., London WC2

Capacity: 275

Come to see: Hotly-tipped stars of tomorrow, the odd industry showcase, a wealth of singer-songwriters and alt-country notables and just occasionally a secret gig by bands whose dressing rooms are usually bigger than this venue. The Borderline's roll call of past headliners is on the walls as you descend -- Uncle Tupelo, Throwing Muses, Shed Seven, Sparklehorse.

The atmosphere: Tex Mex dive bar. Manager Nick Dossetto says, "The Borderline opened at the same time as a Tex-Mex restaurant called Break for the Border located upstairs. There was a definite Americana theme going on in both places. The first two promoters (the second one in particular) were country-Americana oriented."

You saw them here first: Pretty much anyone whose played in London has, at some time, played the Borderline. Oasis played here in 1994, Razorlight in 2003 when Johnny Borrell's ego was still of manageable proportions.

Dossetto says, "Oasis shot the 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' video here. Townes van Zandt played his last ever show. Spinal Tap auditioned for a new drummer at the Borderline (true) after the old one spontaneously combusted (might not be true)."

Claim to fame: R.E.M., in the midst of their globe-straddling Green tour in 1991, played two gigs at the Borderline under the moniker Bingo Hand Job – a gig notable for a spirited if somewhat outlandish version of Suzanne Vega's 'Tom's Diner.' And Pearl Jam played here around the time of 'Ten.' Try seeing them in a venue this small again.

Booking now: The Bellrays, Pete & the Pirates, Tigertailz, We Were Promised Jetpacks and Sham 69.