O2 Academy Brixton

The O2 Academy Brixton is an internationally renowned, Grade II listed venue, celebrated for hosting live music, club nights, comedy shows, and more. Attracting visitors from across the globe, it has become a must-visit destination for music fans. Its unique design offers an extraordinary setting: sloping floors provide excellent views, the vast curved ceiling creates an electrifying arena-like atmosphere, and the iconic stage, inspired by Venice’s Rialto Bridge, frames the largest fixed stage in Europe. The distinctive 140ft dome and Art Deco interior further add to its one-of-a-kind charm.

Originally opening as the Astoria in 1929, the venue thrived as a cinema, theatre, and variety show location until 1972. It briefly reopened as the Sundown club that same year, with rock legends Deep Purple performing on the first night, but closed after just four months. In 1983, Simon Parkes bought the venue and transformed it into the Brixton Academy, which opened in October of that year.

Since then, the venue has hosted countless legendary performances. Playing here has become a rite of passage for many musicians, with their first headline show at the Academy often marking a defining moment in their career. Iconic acts such as Kings of Leon, Amy Winehouse, The Clash, Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Kasabian, Florence and the Machine, The Strokes, Blur, and Coldplay have all graced its stage. Today, the O2 Academy Brixton remains one of the UK’s and the world’s most celebrated live music venues.