Your Piano Tuner Recommends… Live music in South London

Over the past few weeks I have tuned a whole host of pianos, including two that have recently found a new home in a performance venue: 

First, there was the one-hundred-year-old piano in the Crofton Park Tavern, and next, there was a concert grand - a Yamaha C5 - in Corner Corner, a brand-new cultural hub in Canada Water. Two very different pianos in two very different venues! 

It got me thinking about live music. How fortunate we are in London to be surrounded by all kinds of arts venues and organisations, who - despite the barrage of challenges facing the UK arts industry - continue to provide a platform for musicians, and a space for the rest of us to come together under one roof and experience something. Live music can excite us or help us unwind, forget our troubles or provide a new perspective on them, and maybe mostly importantly of all, it reminds us of our connection to each other. And somehow that all feels rather connected to my job of tuning and repairing humanity’s greatest musical invention… the humble 88-key piano.

If, like me, you live south of the river, there are so many exciting arts venues, ensembles, charities and organisations for you to explore, whether your passion is for acoustic instruments or tech-wizardry. Without further ado here’s a few live music recommendations from your London piano tuner:

In Greenwich, head to the Pelton Arms for top tribute bands, to the Modern Arms for folk and country acts, and to Oliver's jazz bar, if you're feeling jazzy.  In Deptford there is the revolutionary Jazu, a hi-fi bar with an incredible vinyl collection, and if you're on the lookout for new and exciting acts, there is RISE, the Goldsmiths University bar.  And if you want to get involved, take a look at Jazzbourne - an amazing arts organisation in New Cross who host swing classes, life drawing workshops and live performances.

Over in Canada Water, the newly opened Corner Corner hosts some of the world's best jazz musicians. And if you're interested in classical music, check out Musica Antica, a local ensemble performing from the 17th and early 18th centuries.

In Peckham, take a look at the CLF Art Lounge and Jazzlive at the Crypt.  If you want to try something new, Peckham Levels runs an amazing programme of events from Queer Line Dancing to comedy nights to art exhibitions.

Sydenham Arts host live music, poetry and workshops throughout the year.  On a side note -  I would encourage anyone to visit the Horniman Museum, where you will find a musical instrument collection from all around the world and from times long ago.  

Nowadays, Brixton is a music-lovers paradise, with a whole host of live music venues, featuring everything from blues, to reggaeton to punk-electro. Check out the Hootananny and the Windmill if you're hoping to discover exciting new music, or head to  Brixton House for theatre and community arts workshops.  And if you enjoy classical music, look for the Brixton Chamber Orchestra, who tour Lambeth's housing estates twice a year, bringing orchestral music to their vibrant community.

In Balham, the Bedford pub is a renowned venue for live music and comedy, that once hosted the inquest into the unsolved Charles Bravo murder. And if you are in Streatham and passionate about live performance, look into the campaign to reopen the Streatham Hill Theatre, a beautiful 1920's venue that deserves to be bursting with music and life! 

Clapham High Street is full of independent venues, like the Omnibus Theatre, The Bread & Roses, and Northcote Records.  Heading over to Wandsworth, there is Theatre 503, the Battersea Arts Centre, and loads of local pubs featuring live music nights.  And it's well worth checking out World Heart Beat, an amazing local charity that operates both as a music school and performance venue.

Towards Mitcham, you will find Colour House Blues, a music and performance venue based in an old textiles factory, and the Metronome Coffee and Wine bar, which hosts karaoke jamming nights where you can BYOI - bring your own instrument. 

Although Wimbledon is best-known for hosting an international Tennis tournament, arts-fanatics have plenty to do in this pocket of Merton.  There is the New Wimbledon Theatre, Tunnel 267, (who host live comedy nights and DJ sets), and the beautiful Polka Theatre, probably the most important family theatre in the UK.  

Whatever your jam, I think South London is a brilliant place to live and to enjoy live music!