Camden's KOKO will close its doors temporarily from March 6.
With a closing party due to be announced on March 4 for the following day, the London venue will then shut to undergo a whopping £40 million development.
The venue have acquired two adjoining buildings and will be adding 20,000 square feet of space. The new KOKO is being designed by Pirajean Lees and architect David Archer. It will be made up of six live performance areas, a radio station, broadcast studio, three new restaurants, rooftop conservatory and terrace, and a penthouse space where artists are able to rehearse and record.
The venue began as the Camden Hippodrome in 1900 and went on to host the Rolling Stones, the Clash, Spandau Ballet, Blur, Prince, and even put on Madonna’s first UK solo show. Since it became KOKO in 2004, the venue has continued to house performances by up and coming acts as well as established icons, including Prince, Madonna, Kanye West, Amy Winehouse and Coldplay.
Owner and custodian, Olly Bengough said:
"KOKO has always taken great pride in our innovative approach and we can see that our audience want a 360-degree experience in the future and it’s our duty to deliver that, to cut out the unknowns of going to a venue our size, most of which haven’t changed since the 1950s.
This isn’t just about offering a music venue. In the Camden spirit of independence, auteur-ship and eccentricity, we want to offer an unrivalled experience. London is a forward-facing city. Where we lead, the world follows and we have to move with it. By radically reimagining what KOKO will be for chapter two, we’re protecting the culture, helping Camden and London. We’re giving back to music. We’ll do what we’ve always done, listen to tomorrow’s talent today. Why don’t we show the world that we can have the most exciting music and hospitality brand in the city?"
KOKO is due to reopen in spring 2020.
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